Washington’s Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors (SHIBA) are volunteers who can help you understand the different parts of Medicare, asses your needs and help you enroll in Medicare and assistance programs. Our volunteers can also refer you to other agencies or programs who can help.
What we can help you with:
- Getting started in Medicare
- Comparing health care plans
- Comparing Rx drug plan
- Switching plans during Open Enrollment
- Understanding a letter you got
- Save money
How our volunteers can help
Our wide network of SHIBA volunteers throughout Washington can offer free, unbiased help with:
- Assessing your Medicare health care coverage needs.
- Determining your general eligibility for health care coverage programs.
- Evaluating and comparing Medicare plans and programs.
- Providing enrollment help with Medicare.
- Speaking with 1-800-Medicare on your behalf.
- Making referrals to other agencies and programs.
- Collecting and reporting possible Medicare fraud complaints.
To get a better idea of the services we provide Medicare enrollees and beneficiaries, check out this podcast episode with one of our volunteer advisors:
Episode 19: How SHIBA helps with Medicare questions
Need help paying for Medicare?
Our volunteers can help you understand your options if you need help paying your Medicare premiums or paying for your prescription drugs. We can also help you determine eligibility and apply for assistance programs if you qualify.
Learn more about how to lower your Medicare costs.
How to contact SHIBA
Our volunteer advisors are trained to give you the latest Medicare and health care coverage information.