Meet Belmont’s New SHINE Counselor:
​Andrea Hassol!

On May 1, 2024, Andrea Hassol, MSPH started as a SHINE counselor at the Belmont Council on Aging's Beech Street Center. She has been a SHINE counselor in Newton for two years and is excited to begin working in Belmont. Andrea has lived in town for more than 30 years and raised her family here.

Before retiring in 2022, Andrea’s professional career was in Medicare policy research, helping the federal government study the costs and quality of care paid for by Medicare. In addition to SHINE, Andrea volunteers with the Senior Medicare Patrol, assisting people facing Medicare billing problems and potential Medicare fraud. She also volunteers as a foster care case reviewer with the Department of Children and Families. Andrea is an avid gardener, and enjoys the Wednesday Tai Chi classes at the Beech Street Center.

Why am I a SHINE counselor?
"During my nearly 40 working years, thousands of Medicare beneficiaries across the country generously assisted my research by filling out surveys, attending focus groups and interviews, and sharing their experiences. SHINE is my way to repay that generosity.  Medicare and MassHealth are complicated and each person’s situation is different. My goal is to help Belmont residents avoid Medicare loopholes and find an insurance plan that meets their needs.”  ​

Call 617-993-2979 or stop by the Beech Street Center front desk to schedule a SHINE appointment with Andrea.  
​Free counseling appointments will be on Wednesdays, in-person at the Beech Street Center or by phone; arrangements can be made for a different weekday when necessary.  

​What is SHINE?
A SHINE Counselor can explain Medicare options and how Medicare works in everyday language.

A SHINE Counselor can help you compare the costs and benefits of Medicare and other health insurance options and help you enroll in a health insurance program that best fits your needs.
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A SHINE Counselor can help people with limited resources enroll in MassHealth and other programs that help pay health insurance costs.