The Medicare Open Enrollment period began on October 15th and runs through December 7, 2024, for people aging into Medicare at 65, or those making changes to their healthcare plan for 2025. This is the time to make an appointment with a trained SHINE counselor to assess your healthcare needs for the coming year. MidPoint Wednesday was privileged to be joined by SHINE Florida’s Amy Hagel and their award-winning Medicare navigator, Fran Oberne, to educate us about the changes affecting Medicare for 2025. The SHINE (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders) Program provides health insurance information and free, unbiased, and confidential counseling assistance to Medicare beneficiaries, their families, and caregivers. SHINE is a free program offered by the Florida Department of Elder Affairs and your local Area Agency on Aging. Specially trained volunteers can assist you with your Medicare, Medicaid, and health insurance questions by providing one-on-one counseling and information. SHINE services are free, unbiased, and confidential, but on MidPoint, listeners were able to get answers to their Medicare questions from our guests on air.