Official, 100% free, unbiased, state-certified Medicare, prescription drug, and retiree healthcare financial counseling program serving Hardee County seniors, disabled Medicare beneficiaries, and caregivers. Administered in Planning and Service Area 6 (PSA 6) by the Senior Connection Center, Inc. (Florida Sunbiz Doc# 756143, 501(c)(3) Area Agency on Aging, 8928 Brittany Way, Tampa, FL 33619, Elder Helpline 1-800-963-5337 / (813) 740-3888) under a federal State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) grant from the U.S. Administration for Community Living (ACL) and the Florida Department of Elder Affairs (DOEA), local Hardee County counseling and outreach are coordinated through the Nu-Hope Elder Care Services Wauchula Senior Center at 310 N 8th Ave, Wauchula, FL 33873 ((863) 773-2022, Sunbiz Doc# 733274) and the Hardee County Public Library (315 N 6th Ave, Suite 114, Wauchula, FL 33873). Trained SHINE counselors sell no insurance products and help retirees compare Medicare Part A, Part B, Part D prescription drug plans, Medicare Advantage (Part C) vs. Medigap Supplement policies, apply for Medicare Savings Programs (QMB, SLMB, QI-1) that eliminate the monthly Part B premium, apply for Social Security Extra Help (Low-Income Subsidy / LIS) to cap prescription costs, and report suspected Medicare billing fraud via the Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP).