Resources on the Internet

Benefits Check Up: www.benefitscheckup.org. Service of the National Council on Aging (NCOA). Free, confidential, personalized report on benefits eligibility for individuals. Also includes Benefits Check Up RX, a personalized report on prescription assistance programs to which you may be entitled.

Medicare: www.medicare.gov. U. S. government site for persons with Medicare. Includes Prescription Assistance Program Information, Medigap Compare, and Nursing Home Compare by state and region.

National Clearinghouse for Long-Term Care Information www.LongTermCare.gov
A website of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that provides information and resources to help seniors and caregivers plan for long-term care (LTC) needs. It has information on Understanding Long-Term Care, Planning for Long-Term Care, and Paying for Long-Term Care.

SHINE (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders) has a website with information about services as well as volunteer opportunities. Visit the new site at www.floridashine.org. According to the site, "SHINE provides educational materials and free unbiased insurance counseling to Florida elders, caregivers and family members. Our goal is to help elders understand and receive the health insurance coverage they need through Medicare, Medicaid, Prescription Assistance, Long-Term Care Planning & Insurance, and other health care issues."

ACCESS Florida is the Department of Children and Families' new website. The site (www.myflorida.com/accessflorida)is the newly retooled and modernized public assistance service delivery system that is the Automated Community Connection to Economic Self-Sufficiency (ACCESS). Apply online for Medicaid and Foodstamps. For locations in Pasco and Pinellas County that offer ACCESS computers to the public, call the Senior Helpline at 1-800-861-8111.