Work in Your Community as a SHINE Counselor!

If you are interested in healthcare and are looking for a new volunteer opportunity, consider signing up to become a SHINE Counselor!

SHINE, Serving Health Insurance Needs of Everyone, is a program that provides free, confidential, and unbiased health insurance counseling for all Medicare beneficiaries. SHINE is administered by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs in partnership with elder service agencies, Councils on Aging, and other public and private community-based organizations.

shine-regional-office-locations.pdf are located throughout the state.

SHINE Counselors work one-on-one with individuals in their own communities providing information, counseling and assistance on health care programs including Medicare, Medigap, Medicare Advantage Plans, Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage, Public Benefits, One Care Plans, and more.

Those interested in becoming counselors should be comfortable working with a population consisting primarily of elders and persons with mental and physical disabilities.

As healthcare information is always changing and headlining the news, counselors benefit from SHINE’s monthly trainings held in each region throughout the year.  SHINE offers this training through monthly meetings which allow counselors to stay up-to-date with new healthcare policies and programs.

The 2016 SHINE Spring Training will take place at regional sites located throughout the state.  The training typically runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.for 10-12 days and is held either on a weekly or bi-weekly schedule. Training dates are still being determined.

If you are interested, want to learn more, or wish to apply to become a SHINE counselor, please contact the local Regional Director in your area by calling 1-800-243-4636 (option 3).  Learn more online at:  www.mass.gov/elders/healthcare