Whatcom County SHIBA Program

Insurance options for Medicare-eligible individuals

Logo: SHIBA, Office of the Insurance Commissioner, Washington State

SHIBA: Medicare Advising

SHIBA (Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors) is a free, confidential, and impartial counseling resource sponsored by the Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner. 

Volunteer SHIBA advisors are highly trained and experienced to counsel Medicare-eligible residents of all ages and backgrounds. They will help you understand your rights and options, and offer up-to-date information so that you can make informed decisions concerning your health insurance needs. 

SHIBA advisors can help you with: 

  • Understanding the various aspects of Medicare such as benefits, enroll-ment, costs, plan differences, and more. 
  • Evaluating, comparing, and enrolling in options available in Whatcom County as approved by the Office of the Insurance Commissioner. 
  • Screening and enrolling in cost-saving programs such as Extra Help, Medicare Savings Programs, and prescription assistance options. 
  • Reporting fraud, complaints, grievances, and appeals to the OIC or your insurance company. 
  • Connecting to adjacent services and assistance at other agencies and programs such as SSA, CMS, DSHS, HCA, VA, PEBB, WA HealthPlanFinder, Northwest Regional Council, etc. 

Public SHIBA presentations and seminars are available to your group or organization. Please contact us with inquiries at (360) 734-5121 ext. 342. 

Become a SHIBA volunteer

Help your friends, neighbors and family learn more about health insurance and public programs! SHIBA Volunteers receive 30 hours of basic health insurance training, monthly updates, and ongoing supervision and support by a staff member of the Office of the Insurance Commissioner. To express interest or learn more, please contact the SHIBA Program Specialist at:

(360) 734-5121 ext. 342 or shiba@nulloppco.org.

Watch a recording of our recent SHIBA Webinar:

SHIBA SMP “Senior Scams & Medicare Fraud” Webinar, 7/22

Have Medicare Questions?

Make an appointment today with one of our trained volunteer advisors! 

Call: (360) 788-2725 

Email: shiba@nulloppco.org 

 Assistance with Non-Medicare Health Care Coverage Options: 

Unity Care Northwest Community Health Center:
(360) 788-2669
Email: enrollment@nullucnw.org
Website: www.ucnw.org/insurance-resources-and-enrollment 

Sea Mar Community Health Center:
Bellingham: (360) 671-3225
Everson: (360) 354-0766
Email: seamaripa@nullseamarchc.org 

Washington HealthPlanFinder:
1 (855) 923-4633
Website: wahealthplanfinder.org