Oct 18, 2019
Medicare’s Open Enrollment for 2020 began this week on October 15, and will continue until December 7, 2019. During this time period, Medicare beneficiaries may make changes to their health care and prescription drug plans, which will take effect January 1, 2020. Except for special circumstances, this is the only time Medicare recipients may change their insurance plans.
Massachusetts offers an excellent Medicare counseling service called SHINE (Serving the Health Insurance Needs of Everyone). The SHINE Program is administered by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs in partnership with elder service agencies, councils on aging or public and private community-based organizations. Certified SHINE counselors help people navigate the complex Medicare insurance system. There is no charge for SHINE services in Massachusetts. Because of the complexity of Medicare, anyone attending a SHINE program is welcome to bring along a friend or family member.
The SHINE Program has scheduled special 2020 Medicare Plan Review days throughout the North Shore during the open enrollment period. Existing Medicare enrollees can make appointments to meet individually with a SHINE counselor to compare plan options for 2020, and will receive a report that explains their top three most cost-effective Medicare plan options for next year. There is no charge to attend a Medicare Plan Review day.
Advance registration at the Medicare Plan Review days is required, and attendees are asked to bring their red, white and blue Medicare card, their current insurance cards, and their medication list with dosage information. In the north shore area, the following Medicare Plan Review days have been scheduled. Please call the host agency to make an individual appointment.
Date Host Location Phone
October 21 Rose Baker Senior Center, Gloucester 978-281-9765
October 23 Dunstable Library 978-649-4514
October 25 Billerica Senior Center 978-671-0916
October 28 Rowley Council on Aging, Rowley Library 978-948-7637
October 30 Dracut Council on Aging 978-957-2611
November 1 Phoenix Row, Haverhill 978-372-7597
November 4 Lowell Council on Aging 978-674-1172
November 7 Merrimac Senior Center 978-346-9549
November 8 SeniorCare, Gloucester 978-281-1750
November 12 Georgetown Senior Center 978-352-5726
November 13 Beverly Senior Center 978-921-6017
November 14 Tyngsboro Senior Center 978-649-9211
November 15 Amesbury Senior Center 978-388-8138
November 18 Merrivista, Haverhill 978-374-2168
November 19 Mission Towers, Haverhill 978-374-2174
November 22 Haverhill Council on Aging 978-374-2390
November 26 Newburyport Community/Senior Center 978-462-0430
SHINE Counselors are also available throughout the year for people new to Medicare and existing enrollees. These services are available to all Massachusetts residents at no charge. Year-round SHINE counseling locations follow. Please call the host agency for scheduling and reservations.
Host Agency Phone
Amesbury Council on Aging 978-388-8138
Andover Council on Aging 978-623-8321
Merrimack Valley Immigrant Education Center 978-683-7316
Beverly Senior Center 978-921-6017
Billerica Council on Aging 978-671-0916
Boxford Council on Aging 978-887-3591
Chelmsford Council on Aging 978-251-0533
Dracut Council on Aging 978-957-2611
Essex Senior Center 978-768-7932
Georgetown Senior Community Center 978-352-5726
Gloucester: Rose Baker Senior Center 978-281-9765
Gloucester: Addison Gilbert Hospital 978-283-4001
Gloucester: SeniorCare 978-281-1750
Groveland Council on Aging 978-372-1101
Hamilton Council on Aging 978-468-5595
Haverhill Council on Aging 978-374-2390
Haverhill Bethany Homes – Merrivista 978-374-2168
Haverhill Bethany Homes – Mission Towers 978-374-2174
Haverhill Bethany Homes – Phoenix Row 978-372-7597
Ipswich Council on Aging 978-356-6650
Lawrence Senior Center 978-620-3540
Lowell Council on Aging 978-674-1172
Manchester-By-The-Sea Council on Aging 978-526-7500
Merrimac Council on Aging 978-346-9549
Methuen Council on Aging 978-983-8825
Newbury Council on Aging 978-462-8114
Newburyport Council on Aging 978-462-8650
North Andover Senior Center 978-688-9560
Rockport Council on Aging 978-546-2573
Rowley Council on Aging 978-948-7637
Salisbury Council on Aging 978-462-2412
Tewksbury Council on Aging 978-640-4480
Topsfield Council on Aging 978-887-1523
Tyngsboro Council on Aging 978-649-9211
Wenham Council on Aging 978-468-5529
West Newbury Council on Aging 978-363-1104
Westford Council on Aging 978-692-5523
If you are new to Medicare, the SHINE Program will hold an Introduction to Medicare workshop at the Ipswich Senior Center on Wednesday, October 23. Please call 978-356-6650 for details and pre-registration.
If you are unable to attend one of the 2020 Medicare Plan Review days or schedule an appointment with one of the SHINE counselors during their usual schedules, please contact the SHINE Coordination office at the Elder Services of Merrimac Valley at 978-946-1374 to arrange for assistance with your 2020 Medicare decisions.