Island Senior Resources seeks to share the joys and help meet the challenges of aging in our Island County communities by providing integrated programs and services.

Benefits Counseling

Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors (SHIBA)

SHIBA is a partially state-funded program sponsored by Island Senior Resources, under the guidance of the Washington State Office of the Insurance commissioner 

Need help?

We provide community members with free, unbiased, and confidential Medicare education and health insurance options. 

We can help you learn the rules of Medicare for yourself or a loved one. Trained volunteers provide objective information about Medicare and other medical options in individual consultations or classes (see Webinar discussion below).

  • Information on enrollment, costs and benefits, prescription coverage, low-income assistance
  • Unbiased and confidential information. SHIBA volunteers do not choose plans for you, you choose! 
Helping

About SHIBA

We can help you learn the rules of Medicare for yourself or a loved one.

ISR's SHIBA Advisors are here for you!

ISR's SHIBA Advisors are here for you!

What we do for you

Our Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors (SHIBA) help people understand Medicare rights and options. Our well-trained volunteers counsel people about their Medicare choices and options.

Our SHIBA volunteers assist people through in-person and virtual one-to-one counseling via video chat or phone. They answer Medicare questions, and help evaluate and compare health insurance policies so people can make informed decisions to find the best possible coverage that meets their needs and fits their budgets. Volunteers can also help screen to see if people qualify for low-income programs to save money on Medicare coverage. 

Eligibility

  • Anyone eligible for or currently enrolled in Medicare
  • Anyone who needs to know more about Medicare and related programs

Cost

  • Free; however, donations are always appreciated as state funding does not cover the full cost of the program. 

Contact

SHIBA is…

  • Completely FREE and confidential: We keep your personal information safe.

  • Objective and unbiased: We don’t sell or endorse anything.

SHIBA advisors can help with…

  • Original Medicare

  • Prescription drugs

  • Low-income programs to help pay for Medicare

  • Medigap (Medicare Supplement) plans

  • Medicare Advantage plans

  • Medicare fraud and abuse

  • Issues with Medicare fraud

ISR’s Medicare Information Sessions from SHIBA

  • These webinars happen throughout the year.  Some are in-person and some are offered on Zoom. Check our calendar page (here).
  • Register in advance for the session you want to attend by calling 360-321-1600.

Getting Ready for Medicare

If you are going on Medicare and/or are wanting to know more about Medicare, attend a free “Getting Ready for Medicare” seminar offered by SHIBA (Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors) volunteers. 

Next classes are:

Wednesday, April 17 at 1 p.m. in person at Island Senior Resources, Bayview, 14594 SR 525, Langley

Tuesday, May 14 Coffee Hour at 10 a.m. in person at The Center in Oak Harbor, 51 SE Jerome St., Oak Harbor 

Tuesday, June 11 at 1 p.m. in person at Freeland Library, 5495 Harbor Ave., Freeland

Tuesday, July 23 Coffee Hour at 1 p.m. in person at The Center in Oak Harbor, 51 SE Jerome St., Oak Harbor 

Using Medicare’s Planfinder

This session focuses on how to use Medicare’s Planfinder so you can find the best drug plan and/or Medicare Advantage plan that meets your needs.  We will cover how to find much of the ‘hidden’ information as well as information about the supplement plans.  We will also share how to find the information you are looking for.

Next classes:  Call to inquire

Medicare Reboot

Are you enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Plan? Is your current plan working for you? If you are dissatisfied for any reason and want to change plans, attend one of these sessions.

Next classes are:

Tuesday, February 13 at 10 a.m. in-person at The Center in Oak Harbor 51 SE Jerome St, Oak Harbor

Thursday, February 15 at 1 p.m. in-person at Island Senior Resources Bayview, 14594 SR 525, Langley

Informational Videos on Medicare

SHIBA helps with Medicare choices
Original Medicare vs. Medicare Advantage plans
Deceptive marketing practices and Medicare health plans