SHINE: Serving Health Information Needs of Elders
SHINE
counselors provide free information, counseling and assistance to Medicare
beneficiaries and elders with questions about:
- Medicare (Parts A, B, C & D)
- Insurance claim forms, questions and appeals
- Medicare supplements ("Medigap")
- Medicare Advantage Plans (HMOs)
- Long-term care insurance
- Medicaid & other public benefits
- Prescription Advantage
- Prescription Drug Options
- Other health insurance options
SHINE counselors are trained volunteers available to meet with elders and their families to discuss health care options. Click here to learn more about volunteer opportunities, or click here to download a fact sheet about becoming a SHINE counselor (Microsoft Word document).
There are SHINE counselors in 54 communities of Franklin County and parts of Hampshire, Hampden and Worcester counties. You can consult with them by phone or meet with them at your area senior center, in your home or at a location that is convenient to you.
Please call 800-732-4636, Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. to find out more about SHINE and SHINE counselors serving your area.
Print the Pamphlet (260K PDF)
Send us e-mail Updated June 2011
SHINE Online
The SHINE newsletter, FLASH!, is available on our Resources and Links page. Information is geared to professionals but very helpful to consumers.
Western Regional SHINE Counselors for Franklin & the North Quabbin Area
| Town | Name(s) | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Athol | Ruth Black, Mary Strojni | 978-249-8986 |
| Bernardston | Dianne Ryan | 413-773-5555 |
| Elm Terrace & Winslow Wentworth House, Greenfield | Jennifer Glover | 413-773-5555 |
| Franklin County Home Care Corp. | Mickey Paquette, Larry Bezio, Lucia Russom, Doris Martin, Dianne Ryan, Cheryl Richardson, Mary Johnson, Donna Randall Lacy, Michael Naldrett, Sarah Mancinelli(Part D Specialist) | 413-773-5555 |
| South County Senior Center(Whately, So. Deerfield, Conway, Sunderland) | Lisa Jarvis | 413-665-2141 |
| Greenfield - Baystate Franklin Medical Center | Larry Bezio (Tuesdays only) | 413-773-2849 |
| Greenfield Senior Center | Mickey Paquette | 413-772-1517 |
| Greenfield Gardens | Donna Randall Lacey | 800-498-4232 |
| Leverett, Shutesbury, Pelham | Cami Elbow, Sarah Boy, Eli Kwarlter, Tyll vanGeel | 413-773-5555 |
| North Quabbin Region | Tracy Gaudet | 978-544-3481 |
| Northfield | Diane Ryan | 800-498-4232 |
| Orange | Tracy Gaudet | 978-544-3481 |
| ServiceNet Clients ONLY | Donna Randall Lacey | 413-773-5555 Ext. 2287 |
| Shelburne Falls Senior Center & West County | Larry Bezio, Michael Naldrett, John Pollard | 413-625-2502 |
| Sunderland, South Deerfield, Conway, Whately | Lisa Jarvis, Terri Jamieson | 413-773-5555 |
| Turners Falls, West County | 413-773-5555 |
Parts of Hampden & Hampshire County SHINE Counselors
| Town | Name(s) | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| All Town Russian Outreach | Richard Meehan | 413-726-1352 |
Amherst |
Cami Elbow, Sarah Boy, Eli Kwartler, Tyll vanGeel | 413-259-3060
|
| Cooley Dickinson Hospital | Eli Kwartier | 413-967-2248 |
| Cummington, Plainfield, Worthington | Lucille Temple, John Bergeron |
800-498-4232 |
| Easthampton Community Center | Richard Bauman | 413-527-5240 |
| EastHamtpon COA | Connie Rackliffe, Judy Imes, Judson Brown | 413-527-6151 |
| Florence | Connie Rackliffe | 800-498-4232 |
| Granville, Chester, Tolland, Blandford, Russell & Montgomery | Marilyn Riddle | 800-498-4232 |
| Hadley | Gladys Kozera |
413-586-4023 |
| Hatfield | Connie Rackliffe Council on Aging |
413-247-9003 |
| Huntington, Chester, Middlefield | Lucille Temple | 800-498-4232 |
| Huntington Hilltown Health Center | John Bergeron | 413-667-2203 |
| Northampton | Lorraine York-Edberg, Lucille Temple, Crystal Cote & Connie Rackliffe | 413-587-1228 |
| Northern & Southern Hilltown Regions | Lucille Temple, John Bergeron, Marilyn Riddle | 800-498-4232 |
| Southampton | Richard Bauman | 413-529-2105 |
| Southwick | Marilyn Riddle | 413-569-5498 |
| STAVROS/Amherst Center for Independent Living | Linda Mason | 413-256-0473 Ext. 284 |
| Westfield | Karen Noblit | 413-562-6435 |
| Westhampton | Lucille Temple, Richard Bauman |
800-498-4232 |
| Williamsburg | Lucille Temple | 413-268-8407 |
12/4/09
Need SHINE help outside FCHCC service area? Click here for a list of SHINE contacts throughout Massachusetts.