SERVING HEALTH INSURANCE NEEDS OF THE ELDERLY (SHINE)
SHINE is a statewide, volunteer-based program offering free Medicare and health Insurance education, counseling, and assistance to Medicare beneficiaries and their families and caregivers. SHINE, which is funded through a grant from the Health Care Financing Administration and administered by the Department of Elder Affairs, has been in existence since 1993. Its award-winning volunteers educate consumers and empower them to resolve problems and make informed decisions on health care issues.
Volunteers in the SHINE program provide information, counseling and assistance on Medicare, Medicaid, Medicare Plan Choices (Medicare+Choice), Medicare supplemental insurance, long-term care insurance and Medicare fraud. In addition, SHINE has a strong community education and outreach component. Volunteers make educational presentations on Medicare and health insurance to a variety of community groups. Education and outreach focuses on health promotion, beneficiary rights and consumer protection.
SHINE services are provided by approximately 600 volunteers throughout Florida. In southwest Florida, support is provided by The Area Agency on Aging for Southwest Florida, and other local partners.
People from all backgrounds, with an interest in helping others and learning technical material, are encouraged to volunteer with the SHINE Program. Individuals holding an active insurance license in Florida (or with another clear conflict of interest) are not eligible to volunteer for SHINE. A volunteer must be willing to donate a minimum of eight hours per month to the SHINE Program. Volunteers may perform a variety of functions, including individual counseling, education and outreach (community presentations, etc), and supervision of local volunteer units.
The SHINE Program maintains working relationships with all partners and stakeholders in the Medicare and health insurance field, including: the Health Care Financing Administration, the Florida Department of Insurance, Medicare Carriers & Intermediaries, the Medicare Peer Review Organization, the Agency for Health Care Administration, the Department of Children and Family Services, and the Social Security Administration.
For general information about SHINE, please contact: Ms. Pam Fico, SHINE Liaison The Area Agency on Aging for Southwest Florida (239) 332-4233 or your local Elder Helpline at 1-800-963-5337
SHINE is a statewide, volunteer-based program offering free Medicare and health Insurance education, counseling, and assistance to Medicare beneficiaries and their families and caregivers. SHINE, which is funded through a grant from the Health Care Financing Administration and administered by the Department of Elder Affairs, has been in existence since 1993. Its award-winning volunteers educate consumers and empower them to resolve problems and make informed decisions on health care issues.
Volunteers in the SHINE program provide information, counseling and assistance on Medicare, Medicaid, Medicare Plan Choices (Medicare+Choice), Medicare supplemental insurance, long-term care insurance and Medicare fraud. In addition, SHINE has a strong community education and outreach component. Volunteers make educational presentations on Medicare and health insurance to a variety of community groups. Education and outreach focuses on health promotion, beneficiary rights and consumer protection.
SHINE services are provided by approximately 600 volunteers throughout Florida. In southwest Florida, support is provided by The Area Agency on Aging for Southwest Florida, and other local partners.
People from all backgrounds, with an interest in helping others and learning technical material, are encouraged to volunteer with the SHINE Program. Individuals holding an active insurance license in Florida (or with another clear conflict of interest) are not eligible to volunteer for SHINE. A volunteer must be willing to donate a minimum of eight hours per month to the SHINE Program. Volunteers may perform a variety of functions, including individual counseling, education and outreach (community presentations, etc), and supervision of local volunteer units.
The SHINE Program maintains working relationships with all partners and stakeholders in the Medicare and health insurance field, including: the Health Care Financing Administration, the Florida Department of Insurance, Medicare Carriers & Intermediaries, the Medicare Peer Review Organization, the Agency for Health Care Administration, the Department of Children and Family Services, and the Social Security Administration.
For general information about SHINE, please contact: Ms. Pam Fico, SHINE Liaison The Area Agency on Aging for Southwest Florida (239) 332-4233 or your local Elder Helpline at 1-800-963-5337