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The 2019 Arnie Abrams Volunteer of the Year Award Winner

At the end of the October 2019 SHINE Leadership Meeting, the Department of Elder Affairs was able to celebrate the contributions of more than 490 statewide volunteers. The Florida Department of Elder Affairs' SHINE (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders) Program announced Nick Ross as the award winner for the Arnie Abrams Volunteer of the Year Award. Learn More

Virtual Medicare Classes Being Offered Starting Monday, July 6, 2020, please join us!

Visit our Facebook Page @Florida.ship for specific event details. You can also find a direct link to any class we are offering to the right of this picture under the Alert section. Just locate the class of your choice!

SHINE volunteers continue to serve you, contact us for any Medicare assistance you need!

Who We Are

SHINE (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders) is a free program offered by the Florida Department of Elder Affairs and your local Area Agency on Aging. Specially trained volunteers can assist you with your Medicare, Medicaid, and health insurance questions by providing one-on-one counseling and information. SHINE services are free, unbiased, and confidential.

Our Mission

The SHINE program supports the Florida Department of Elder Affairs’ mission by providing free and unbiased health insurance counseling through a dedicated network of volunteers, empowering Florida seniors to make informed health care choices.

Request Assistance

Need a Resource? Contact Us.

Find enrollment events in your area.

ALERT!

Due to COVID-19 our counseling sites are closed. However, we are providing our Virtual Medicare Classes! Here's the schedule for the week of Week 7/6/2020!

Join us at any of the following!

Entire week: Medicare 101 (Provides an overview of the different Parts of Medicare including: Parts A, B, C, & D, Medigap and available financial assistance). Available all-day all week. To join visit https://youtube.com.

Entire week: Medicare Part C (Provides an overview of Medicare Advantage options available in Florida). Available all-day all week. To join visit https://youtube.com.

7 de Julio de 2020, toda la dia: Presentacion del programa SHINE (Presentacion del programa SHINE). Available anytime all-day. To join visit https://youtube.com.

Tuesday, July 7, 2020, 10:00 AM: Medicare Basics (Designed to provide an overview of Medicare options and how SHINE can help). Register at https://bit.ly/3182fIG. Questions, please call 1-800-336-2226.

Tuesday, July 7, 2020, 2:00-3:30 PM: Medicare 101 (Provides an overview of the different Parts of Medicare including: Parts A, B, C, & D, Medigap and available financial assistance). To join email: Shine@agingresources.org or call 352-692-5262 for registration information.

Tuesday, July 7, 2020, 1:00 PM: Medicare Part D (How Medicare drug coverage works). Register in advance by visiting https://zoom.us.

Wednesday, July 8, 2020, 10:00 AM: Medicare Basics (Designed to provide an overview of Medicare options and how SHINE can help). To register visit https://zoom.us.

Wednesday, July 8, 2020, 12:00 PM: Medicare Part C (Provides an overview of Medicare Advantage options available in Florida). To join visit https://zoom.us.

Wednesday, July 8, 2020, 12:00 PM: Medicare and COVID-19 (Medicare coverage related to COVID-19). Register through Hillsborough County Extension Service at: https://attendee.gototraining.com.

Wednesday, July 8, 2020, 2:00 PM: SMP Presentation (Learn how to protect, detect, and report Medicare fraud, waste, and abuse). To join visit https://zoom.us.

Wednesday, July 8, 2020, 2:00-3:30 PM: Financial Assistance (Need help paying for your part B or need extra help paying for your prescriptions?) To register email: Shine@agingresources.org or call 352-692-5262 for registration information.

Thursday, July 9, 2020, 10:00-11:30 AM: SMP Presentation (Learn how to protect, detect, and report Medicare fraud, waste, and abuse). To register email: Shine@agingresources.org or call 352-692-5262 for registration information.

Friday, July 10, 2020, 11:00 AM: Medicare 101 (Provides an overview of the different Parts of Medicare including: Parts A, B, C, & D, Medigap and available financial assistance). To join visit https://www.facebook.com.

Latest News

Cancellation of SHINE/SMP In-Person Counseling, Presentations, and Outreach Events Until Further Notice

Due to the delicate nature of the services we provide, the clients we serve, our unique volunteer corps., and staff, the decision has been made to cancel all SHINE/SMP participation in scheduled outreach events, presentations, and in-person counseling until further notice. SHINE volunteers and staff will continue to provide counseling services, but they will be conducted over-the-phone. This will allow us to continue to provide services to those who need us, in a way that ensures the safety of our volunteers, clients, and local staff.

To learn more, speak with a local Medicare counselor provided to you by the Florida Department of Elder Affairs' SHINE Program.  For assistance, contact the Elder Helpline at 1-800-963-5337, or visit www.floridashine.org. Click on the Community Events tab to see a listing of enrollment events in your area, click on the Counseling Sites tab to locate counseling sites near you, or click on the Contact Us Tab to request assistance from a trained SHINE counselor.

Remember you must make your changes before midnight on December 7, 2019, do not hesitate call SHINE today! 