About SHINE
The Serving the Health Insurance Needs of Elders program or SHINE provides information and assistance through unbiased counseling and outreach on Medicare and other health insurance concerns. SHINE services are provided free of charge through volunteers of the Florida Department of Elder Affairs. Everyday, with the help of SHINE, elders are empowered to make informed health coverage decisions and resolve insurance problems.
Nearly a million elders have received help from SHINE volunteers since the program began in 1993. The program and its volunteers have received much recognition, including the
- Davis Productivity Award,
- J.C. Penney Community Service Award,
- Florida’s Golden Choices Award, and
- Beneficiary Services Award from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
SHINE is funded by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and is administered by the Florida Department of Elder Affairs. Senior Resource Alliance, Central Florida’s agency on aging, provides support for SHINE in Brevard, Orange, Osceola and Seminole counties.
For more information about SHINE, call the Florida Elder Helpline at 1-800-963-5337 or visit us on the web at http://www.FloridaSHINE.org/. For more on how to volunteer with SHINE click here.
Special Training Event for New Volunteers
Become a SHINE volunteer. Sign up for a training in your area. Learn more…
Counseling Services
SHINE volunteers can answer questions about:
- Medicare
- Medicare Supplements
- Medicare Advantage Plans (HMO’s)
- Medicaid
- Prescription Assistance
- Long-term Care Insurance
- Medicare Fraud
To speak with a SHINE counselor by phone, please call the Florida Elder Helpline at 1-800-963-5337 or 407-514-1800 if you live in Orange, Osceola, Seminole or Brevard counties.
Get information about Medicare programs and assistance.
For Medicare Questions – please click here
Medicare Overview – An Overview of the Medicare Program
Community Outreach
SHINE also provides community education, focusing on Medicare updates, beneficiary rights and consumer protection. Volunteers speak to local groups, community organizations and employees. You can also find SHINE volunteers at community health fairs, both large and small, distributing information and answering questions about Medicare and other health insurance concerns.
