Medicare Open Enrollment

The Open Enrollment period for Medicare is October 15 and through December 7. Health insurance, including Medicare, can be overwhelming for many of us. Mystic Valley Aging Services (MVAS) can help through our SHINE Program (Serving the Health Insurance Needs of Everyone), which provides free health insurance counseling.

If you’d like to review your prescription drug coverage, if you’re unsure of the difference between Medicare Parts A-D, if you’re wondering how MassHealth fits into your coverage — the SHINE program at MVAS can help. For the coming year we will be helping review Part D plans using a form which can be downloaded here.

Our SHINE volunteers are extensively trained and certified through the Massachusetts Executive Office of Aging & Independence (AGE). As a Medicare recipient or caregiver, you can receive SHINE counseling in your own community. We encourage you to contact your local senior center to book an appointment. See below for a list of community sites where our SHINE program is active. For more information, call 781-388-4845.

Using the Medicare Plan Finder

The Commonwealth’s SHINE Program offers several video guides that are helpful for using the Medicare website, Medicare.gov. These videos quickly and simply explain how to search available plans and compare the options that work best for you:

• Using the Medicare Plan Finder – while logged into Medicare.gov
• Navigating the Medicare Plan Finder – without logging into Medicare.gov
• Creating your Medicare. gov Account

SHINE Makes a Difference

These days, it can take an expert to figure out medical coverage. That’s why we provide it. Our free health insurance counseling program, Serving the Health Insurance Needs of Everyone (SHINE), provides unbiased, certified counselors who can help you navigate Medicare requirements, check your eligibility for MassHealth and other public benefits, and help you select the plan that best meets your needs.

You can speak with a SHINE counselor by phone or at many partner sites in the community, which are listed below. Together, you will review your existing medical coverage, compare potential insurance plans, and make sure that you aren’t paying for unnecessary or duplicate coverage.

All counselors are trained and certified by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Aging & Independence. They have expertise in Medicare Parts A and B, Medigap insurance, Medicare Advantage plans, MassHealth, and state and federal public benefits programs.

Mystic Valley Aging Services SHINE program serves older adults in the communities of Chelsea, Everett, Lynn, Lynnfield, Malden, Medford, Melrose, Nahant, North Reading, Reading, Revere, Saugus, Stoneham, Swampscott, Wakefield and Winthrop.

To learn more about SHINE, Medicare and MassHealth options, please visit here.

We’re here for you.

When you call Mystic Valley Aging Services, our receptionist will connect you with a caring expert who is ready to listen and answer your questions. Our referral specialists have the most current information on services in the region and can make suggestions and referrals at no cost. If they do not have the answer right away, they will find it!

Referral services are available in:

• English
• Spanish
• Haitian Creole
• We can provide translation for other languages too—just ask!

If you choose, we can send someone to your home to get a better sense of your current situation and goals. Whether it’s by phone or in-person, our staff are here to build a plan that works for you! Please use the form below or call us at 781-324-7705 to start a conversation.

Visit Our SHINE Counseling Sites

SHINE counselors are also available to sit down with you at a site that’s convenient for you. Call to make an appointment.

Chelsea Senior Center
10 Riley Way
617-466-4370

Everett Senior Center
90 Chelsea Street
617-394-2260

Greater Lynn Senior Services
8 Silsbee Street
781-599-0110 ext. 611
781-586-8618

Lynnfield Senior Center
525 Salem Street
781-598-1078

Malden Senior Center
7 Washington Street
781-397-7144

Mystic Valley Aging Services
300 Commercial Street #19
781-388-4845

Medford Senior Center
101 Riverside Ave.
781-396-6010

Milano Center of Melrose
235 West Foster Street
781-662-6886

Nahant Senior Center
334 Nahant Road
781-581-7557

Edith A. O’Leary Center
157 Park Street, North Reading
978-664-5600

Reading Senior Center
16 Lowell Street
781-942-6659

Rossetti Cowen Sr. Center
25 Winthrop Ave., Revere
781-286-8156

Jack Satter House
420 Revere Beach Blvd., Revere
781-289-4505 ext. 5221

Saugus Senior Center
466 Central Street
781-231-4178

Stoneham Senior Center
136 Elm Street
781-438-1157

Swampscott Senior Center
200 Essex Street, Rear
781-596-8866

Wakefield Senior Center
30 Converse Street
781-245-3312

Winthrop Senior Center
35 Harvard Street
617-846-8538