Medicare Open Enrollment Is Coming: Free SHINE Workshops at Palm Beach County Libraries

With Medicare Open Enrollment approaching, the Palm Beach County Library System is helping residents prepare by bringing Medicare information and assistance directly into communities. Through a partnership with SHINE (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders), free Medicare workshops will be offered at branches of the Palm Beach County Library System. These sessions will give Medicare beneficiaries, families and caregivers an opportunity to better understand coverage options, navigate plan choices and make informed decisions before open enrollment begins on October 15.

During the workshops, trained SHINE volunteers will explain Medicare coverage and plan options, answer questions and help participants compare choices. They will connect individuals with resources based on their needs. SHINE provides free, unbiased Medicare counseling and does not represent or sell insurance plans.

To put Medicare enrollment in perspective, more than one in four Palm Beach County residents is age 65 or older. Of the county's approximately 1.57 million residents, 26.1%, or about 411,000 people, fall within this age group, according to 2025 U.S. Census Bureau estimates.

"Access to reliable, unbiased information is essential when making decisions about Medicare," said Library Director Doug Crane. "The Palm Beach County Library System is proud to partner with organizations like SHINE that can connect residents with trusted resources and information at convenient locations throughout the county."

Understanding Medicare Enrollment sessions will be offered at the following Library locations:

• Glades Road Branch
  Tue, Sep 22, 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
• Greenacres Branch
  Wed, Sep 23, 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm
• Gardens Branch
  Fri, Sep 25, 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
• Main Library
  Tue, Sep 29, 10:00 am - 11:00 am
• Okeechobee Boulevard Branch
  Wed, Sep 30, 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Preregistration is required. Visit www.pbclibrary.org to preregister for a session near you.

About the Palm Beach County Library System: The Palm Beach County Library System is composed of 18 branches and outreach services dedicated to a vision of opening minds to a world of unlimited possibilities. The Library fulfills this through its mission of connecting communities, inspiring thought and enriching lives by providing educational resources, cultural enrichment and community engagement for all residents.

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