SHINE: Serving Health Information Needs of Elders
SHINE counselors provide free unbiased health insurance information, education and assistance to Medicare beneficiaries and adults with disabilities who have questions about
- Original Medicare (Part A & B)
- Medicare Supplements (Medigap)
- Medicare Advantage Plans (HMOs, PPOs, Part C)
- Prescription Drug Plans (Part D)
- Prescription Advantage (State prescription assistance program)
- Low Income Subsidy ("Extra Help")
- Medicaid Program
- Insurance claim forms, questions and appeals
- Long-term care insurance
- Retiree health insurance options and education
- Other health insurance options
- Integrated Care Organizations
SHINE counselors are trained volunteers available to meet with elders and their families to discuss health care options. Click here to learn more about volunteer opportunities, or click here to download a fact sheet about becoming a SHINE counselor (Microsoft Word document).
There are SHINE counselors assisting or covering the 54 communities of Franklin County and parts of Hampshire, Hampden and Worcester counties. You can consult with them by phone or meet with them at your area senior center, in your home or at a location that is convenient to you.
Please call 800-732-4636, Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. to find out more about SHINE and SHINE counselors serving your area.
Print the Pamphlet (260K PDF)
Read the SHINE Flash Newsletter
SHINE Training Session for Consumers at Greenfield Savings Bank in Turners Falls:
I Am New to Medicare, What are My Options?
Western Regional SHINE Counselors for Franklin & the North Quabbin Area
| Town | Name(s) | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Athol | Ruth Black, Page Ann Coleman | 978-249-8986 |
| Bernardston | Dianne Ryan | 413-773-5555 |
| Elm Terrace & Winslow Wentworth House, Greenfield | Jennifer Glover | 413-773-5555 |
| Franklin County Home Care Corp. | Mickey Paquette, Larry Bezio, Lucia Russom, Bonnie Telega, Dianne Ryan, Cheryl Richardson, Mary Johnson, Sarah Mancinelli | 413-773-5555 |
| South County Senior Center(Whately, So. Deerfield, Conway, Sunderland) | Bonnie Telega | 413-665-2141 |
| Greenfield - Baystate Franklin Medical Center | Larry Bezio (Tuesdays only) | 413-773-2849 |
| Greenfield Senior Center | Mickey Paquette | 413-772-1517 |
| Leverett, Shutesbury, Pelham | Cami Elbow, Eli Kwarlter, Tyll vanGeel | 413-773-5555 |
| North Quabbin Region | Tracy Gaudet, Pauline Aldred | 978-544-3481 |
| Northfield | Diane Ryan | 800-498-4232 |
| Orange | Tracy Gaudet | 978-544-3481 |
| Shelburne Falls Senior Center & West County | Larry Bezio, John Pollard | 413-625-2502 |
| Sunderland, South Deerfield, Conway, Whately | Bonnie Telega | 413-773-5555 |
| Turners Falls, West County | 413-773-5555 |
Parts of Hampden & Hampshire County SHINE Counselors
| Town | Name(s) | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| All Town Russian Outreach | 413-726-1352 | |
Amherst |
Cami Elbow, Tyll vanGeel | 413-259-3060
|
| Cooley Dickinson Hospital | Eli Kwartier | 413-967-2248 |
| Cummington, Plainfield, Worthington | Lucille Temple, John Bergeron |
800-498-4232 |
| Easthampton Community Center | Richard Bauman | 413-527-5240 |
| EastHamtpon COA | Connie Rackliffe, Judy Imes, Judson Brown | 413-527-6151 |
| Florence | Connie Rackliffe | 800-498-4232 |
| Granville, Chester, Tolland, Blandford, Russell & Montgomery | Marilyn Riddle | 800-498-4232 |
| Hadley | Gladys Kozera |
413-586-4023 |
| Hatfield | Connie Rackliffe Council on Aging |
413-247-9003 |
| Huntington, Chester, Middlefield | Lucille Temple | 800-498-4232 |
| Huntington Hilltown Health Center | John Bergeron | 413-667-2203 |
| Northampton | Lucille Temple, Crystal Cote & Connie Rackliffe, Michelle Dihlmann | 413-587-1228 |
| Northern & Southern Hilltown Regions | Lucille Temple, John Bergeron, Marilyn Riddle | 800-498-4232 |
| Southampton | Richard Bauman | 413-529-2105 |
| Southwick | Marilyn Riddle | 413-569-5498 |
| STAVROS/Amherst Center for Independent Living | Linda Mason | 413-256-0473 Ext. 284 |
| Westfield | Karen Noblit | 413-562-6435 |
| Westhampton | Lucille Temple, Richard Bauman |
800-498-4232 |
| Williamsburg | Lucille Temple | 413-268-8407 |
State Medicare Patrol
Massachusetts SMP Program Success Story: Rita Viens
Need SHINE help outside FCHCC service area? Click here for a list of SHINE contacts throughout Massachusetts.