Medicare help on the Emerald Coast: free SHIP counseling and plans that change by county
Retirees on the Emerald Coast can get free, one-on-one Medicare counseling from SHINE (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders), Florida’s State Health Insurance Assistance Program, run by the Florida Department of Elder Affairs. As of Oct. 30, 2026, SHINE lists 11 appointment-only counseling sites in Okaloosa, Walton and Santa Rosa counties, booked through the Elder Helpline at (850) 494-7100. Bay County has no SHINE site, so Bay residents call the statewide Elder Helpline at 1-800-963-5337. Medicare’s Open Enrollment runs through Dec. 7, 2026, for coverage that starts Jan. 1, 2027.
What is SHINE and what does it cost?
SHINE is free. The program’s website says its trained volunteers give “free, unbiased, and confidential” counseling on Medicare, Medicaid and other health insurance questions. SHINE is run by the Florida Department of Elder Affairs with the local Area Agency on Aging, and it is Florida’s version of the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) that every state runs with federal funding.
A SHINE counselor does not sell insurance. Counselors can help you:
- Compare Medicare Advantage and Part D drug plans for your ZIP code
- Check whether you qualify for Extra Help or a Medicare Savings Program
- Read a plan’s Annual Notice of Change for 2027
- Sort out a billing problem or a denied claim
Where are the SHINE counseling sites on the Emerald Coast?
Every site below takes appointments only. SHINE’s county pages for Okaloosa, Walton, Santa Rosa and Bay list these locations as of Oct. 30, 2026:
| County | Site | Address | Days listed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Okaloosa | Destin Community Library | 150 Sibert Ave., Destin | Monday to Friday |
| Okaloosa | Fort Walton Beach City Library | 185 Miracle Strip Pkwy. SE, Fort Walton Beach | Mon.-Thu. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sat. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. |
| Okaloosa | Niceville Senior Center | 201 Campbell Drive, Niceville | Mon.-Fri. 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. |
| Okaloosa | Robert L. Sikes Public Library | 1445 Commerce Drive, Crestview | 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. |
| Walton | Coastal Branch Library | 437 Greenway Trail, Santa Rosa Beach | During library hours |
| Walton | Freeport Library | 76 State Highway 20 West, Freeport | By appointment |
| Santa Rosa | Clyde L. Gracey Community Center | 5629 Byrom St., Milton | Mon.-Fri. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. |
| Santa Rosa | Community Life United Methodist Church | 4115 Soundside Drive, Gulf Breeze | Mon.-Fri. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. |
| Santa Rosa | Navarre Library | 8484 James M Harvell Road, Navarre | Mon.-Sat. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. |
| Santa Rosa | Northwest Florida Rural Health Network | 3927 Highway 4, Suite 203, Jay | Monday to Friday |
| Santa Rosa | Woodbine Baptist Church | 4912 Woodbine Road, Pace | Mon. and Thu. 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. |
| Bay | No site listed | Call 1-800-963-5337 | — |
To book in Okaloosa, Walton or Santa Rosa, call the Elder Helpline at (850) 494-7100 or SHINE at (850) 494-7101. Call ahead: hours at libraries and churches change.
Why do Medicare plans change by county?
Medicare Advantage and Part D plans are sold by service area, which is usually a county. Medicare.gov’s guide to joining a plan says you generally must live in the service area of the plan you want to join. A plan sold in Okaloosa County may not be offered in Bay County, and a move across a county line can trigger a Special Enrollment Period.
That is why counselors ask for your ZIP code first. Original Medicare (Parts A and B) is the same in every county; the private plans layered on top are not.
What are the Medicare dates and costs for 2026 and 2027?
Medicare.gov lists these periods and 2026 amounts as of Oct. 30, 2026:
| Item | Date or amount | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Open Enrollment | Oct. 15 to Dec. 7, 2026; coverage starts Jan. 1, 2027 | Medicare.gov |
| Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment | Jan. 1 to March 31, 2027, only for people already in a Medicare Advantage plan | Medicare.gov |
| Part B standard premium | $202.90 a month (2026) | Medicare.gov costs |
| Part B deductible | $283 a year (2026) | Medicare.gov |
| Part A hospital deductible | $1,736 per benefit period (2026) | Medicare.gov |
| Part D out-of-pocket limit | $2,100 (2026) | Medicare.gov |
The 2027 Part B premium had not been posted on Medicare.gov as of Oct. 30, 2026.
Can I get help paying for Medicare drug costs?
Yes, if your income and savings are under federal limits. Medicare.gov’s Extra Help page sets the 2026 limits at $23,940 in income and $18,090 in resources for an individual, and $32,460 in income and $36,100 in resources for a married couple. You apply through Social Security, and a SHINE counselor can help you apply for Extra Help and a Medicare Savings Program at the same time.
Who else can answer Medicare questions?
- Medicare: 1-800-633-4227 (1-800-MEDICARE), TTY 1-877-486-2048
- Florida Elder Helpline: 1-800-963-5337
- Elder Helpline for Okaloosa, Walton and Santa Rosa: (850) 494-7100
This story is information, not tax, legal or medical advice. A SHINE counselor or Medicare can review your own coverage.
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Questions and answers
- Where can I get free Medicare help in Okaloosa County?
- Florida's SHINE program lists four appointment-only sites in Okaloosa County as of Oct. 30, 2026: Destin Community Library, Fort Walton Beach City Library, Niceville Senior Center and the Robert L. Sikes Public Library in Crestview. Book through the Elder Helpline at (850) 494-7100.
- Is there a SHINE Medicare counselor in Bay County, Florida?
- No. As of Oct. 30, 2026, SHINE lists no counseling site in Bay County and refers residents to nearby counties and the Florida Elder Helpline at 1-800-963-5337.
- When is Medicare Open Enrollment for 2027?
- Medicare Open Enrollment runs from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7, 2026, and changes take effect Jan. 1, 2027, according to Medicare.gov.
- Why are Medicare Advantage plans different in each Florida county?
- Medicare Advantage and Part D plans are sold by service area, usually a county, and you generally must live in a plan's service area to join it, per Medicare.gov. Moving to another county can change which plans you can buy.
- What is the income limit for Medicare Extra Help in 2026?
- Medicare.gov lists $23,940 in income and $18,090 in resources for an individual, and $32,460 and $36,100 for a married couple, for 2026.
Sources
- Florida SHINE program (Florida Department of Elder Affairs)
- SHINE counseling sites: Okaloosa County
- SHINE counseling sites: Walton County
- SHINE counseling sites: Santa Rosa County
- SHINE counseling sites: Bay County
- Medicare.gov: joining a plan
- Medicare.gov: Medicare costs (2026)
- Medicare.gov: Extra Help with drug costs