Florida SHINE Program: Free Medicare Counseling for Florida Seniors

Navigating Medicare can be overwhelming -- and Florida seniors have access to a valuable free resource: the SHINE program. SHINE (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders) is Florida's State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), providing free, unbiased Medicare counseling to Florida beneficiaries and their families.

SHINE is a federally funded program administered by the Florida Department of Elder Affairs through local Area Agencies on Aging. Trained volunteer counselors -- many of whom are retired professionals -- provide one-on-one Medicare counseling at no cost.

SHINE counselors are not insurance agents and do not sell any products. Their only goal is to help you understand your Medicare options and make informed decisions.

Plan comparison and enrollment:

• Comparing Medicare Advantage plans during Annual Enrollment Period
• Comparing Part D drug plans and estimating drug costs
• Explaining the differences between Original Medicare, Medigap, and Medicare Advantage
• Helping you enroll in the right plan for your situation

Understanding your benefits:

• Explaining what Medicare covers and what it does not
• Clarifying your rights as a Medicare beneficiary
• Explaining Medicare Summary Notices and Explanation of Benefits

Billing and claims assistance:

• Reviewing Medicare bills for errors
• Helping you understand and dispute incorrect charges
• Assisting with Medicare appeals

Assistance programs:

• Helping you apply for Extra Help (Low Income Subsidy) for Part D
• Helping you apply for Medicare Savings Programs (QMB, SLMB, QI)
• Connecting you with other assistance programs

Fraud prevention:

• Helping you identify and report Medicare fraud
• Reviewing your Medicare Summary Notice for suspicious charges

Phone: Call the Elder Helpline at 1-800-963-5337 (1-800-96-ELDER). Available Monday-Friday during business hours.

In person: SHINE counselors are available at senior centers, libraries, hospitals, and other community locations throughout Florida. Call the Elder Helpline to find a counseling site near you.

Community events: SHINE counselors host Medicare education events and enrollment assistance sessions throughout Florida, particularly during Annual Enrollment Period (October-December).

SHINE and independent Medicare agents serve complementary roles:

SHINE is best for:

• Unbiased education about how Medicare works
• Help with billing disputes and appeals
• Applying for assistance programs (Extra Help, MSPs)
• People who want to research options independently before making a decision

An independent Medicare specialist is best for:

• Personalized plan recommendations based on your health needs and budget
• Ongoing support and advocacy throughout the year
• Help navigating plan changes and coverage issues
• Expertise in local plan options and provider networks

Many Florida seniors use both -- SHINE for education and appeals assistance, and an independent agent for plan selection and ongoing support.

SHINE counselors complete extensive training -- typically 40+ hours of initial training plus annual updates -- covering Medicare basics, plan comparison, assistance programs, and fraud prevention. They are certified by the Florida Department of Elder Affairs.

• Florida Department of Elder Affairs: elderaffairs.org
• Area Agencies on Aging: Local organizations coordinating services for seniors
• Medicare.gov: Official Medicare information and plan comparison tools
• 1-800-MEDICARE: 24/7 Medicare information line

We do not offer every plan available in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.