The Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors (SHIBA) is a free, unbiased and confidential counseling service offered by the Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner.

Sound Outreach has trained volunteers ready to help consumers understand their Medicare rights and options. We offer information on Medigap (Medicare Supplement) and Medicare Advantage plans, Medicaid programs, employment-related health benefits, long-term care options, fraud and abuse, and much more. We answer questions, make referrals, help evaluate and compare health insurance policies, make public presentations, and more.

SHIBA Medicare information and Counseling Options

• SHIBA counseling phone line: 1-800-562-6900 or local 253-212-3519 these are message lines, counselors return calls within 48 hours
• In person counseling appointment options – call 253-212-3519 or visit the SHIBA events calendar:
  www.insurance.wa.gov/insurance-resources/medicare/get-free-medicare-help-shiba/find-medicare-counseling-and-events-your-area
  
• Social Security Video Connect – meet with a representative about Medicare, Benefit applications, Overpayments, Redetermination, U.S. citizen no-change replacement Social Security cards, and U.S. citizen date of birth changes. Clients can request a video appointment by contacting their local Social Security office or calling 1-800-772-1213 between 8 a.m. – 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. (Must have access to a Microsoft teams compatible device.)

Medicare Open Enrollment

Open enrollment occurs annually from Oct. 15th to Dec. 7th.  This is the one time of year most Medicare beneficiaries can change their Part D prescription drug and/or Part C Advantage plan coverage and is also the one time of year your plan can change what they cover and the prices they charge. SHIBA offers extra phone counseling hours, in person counseling sites and special events during these months.

Visit the SHIBA events calendar

to find education and counseling opportunities.