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!
Request Assistance
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 Us
- Contact us to schedule a consultation
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
- 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.
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.
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.
Informational Videos on Medicare
Articles and Additional Information
- Unbiased Medicare advice: What to know about SHIP programs. Fortune Well. (Note – SHIPS is called SHIBA in Washington state)
- See if you qualify for a Medicare Savings Program: Learn More.
- BROCHURE: Get help paying for Medicare – See if you qualify for a Medicare savings program and/or extra help
- BOOKLET: Paying for prescription drugs
- BOOKLET: What you need to know about Medigap (Medicare Supplement) plans
- BROCHURE: About Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors (SHIBA)
- CHECKLIST: Your SHIBA Medicare action plan
- FLYER: Get help paying for Medicare – Information for American Indians and Alaskan Natives
- FLYER: Medicare and COVID-19 vaccine scams
- FLYER: Stop Medicare Fraud
- FLYER: Watch out for scam calls
Comparison Charts
- Your Medicare coverage choices
- 2023 Medicare hospital insurance (Part A) covered services
- 2023 Medicare Part D stand-alone prescription drug plans
- July – September 2023 Approved Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plans
- 2023 Medicare Advantage Plans, Island County
- Comparing Medicare supplement (Medigap) and Medicare Advantage plans
- 10 Standardized Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plans