Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors (SHIBA)
WA Office of the Insurance Commissioner
What would you like to do next?
Get help with applying or choosing whom to contact. No account needed to start.
SHIBA is Washington's State Health Insurance Assistance Program, known nationally as SHIP. Trained volunteers give free, unbiased, and private one-on-one help with Medicare. They can explain Parts A, B, C, and D, compare Medicare Advantage and Medigap (Medicare Supplement) plans, help you through Open Enrollment, help you choose a prescription drug plan, and help you apply for Medicare Savings Programs and Extra Help (also called the Low-Income Subsidy). SHIBA does not sell insurance.
Who qualifies
What it covers
Cost
How to apply
Where to get this in Washington
38 organizations deliver this program. Coverage varies, so check the area each one serves.
East Wenatchee, Adams County
Free public agency that helps older adults and people with disabilities in central Washington find in-home care, caregiver support, nutrition, transportation, and benefits help.
Spokane, Ferry County
AAA for the Spokane region; one number connects callers to information, caregiver support, dementia help, Medicaid in-home care, Medicare counseling, and nutrition.
Yakima, Asotin County
Council-of-governments AAA covering eight southeast Washington counties; one call connects callers to information & referral, case management, nutrition, caregiver support, and Medicaid in-home care.
Vancouver, Clark County
Free public AAA for the Vancouver/Longview area covering five counties; one stop for caregiver assistance, dementia resources, in-home help, kinship care, Medicare counseling, and WA Cares Fund support.
Bainbridge Island, Kitsap County
Independent nonprofit center for adults 50 and over on Bainbridge Island, with classes, events, an art gallery, and the Waterfront Thrift shop.
Bremerton, Kitsap County
City-run Bremerton center for residents 55 and over, with a pool room, dance room, computer lab, and a multipurpose space for events.
Buckley, Pierce County
Senior center in Buckley, Pierce County. Senior centers are the most-underrated stay-home resource. Most are free or donation-based, with classes, fitness, lunch, and social activity. Operated by Buckley Senior Activity Center.
Everett, Snohomish County
Senior center in Everett, Snohomish County. Senior centers are the most-underrated stay-home resource. Most are free or donation-based, with classes, fitness, lunch, and social activity. Operated by Homage Senior Services.
Nespelem, Okanogan County
Tribal AAA at the Lucy F. Covington Government Center, serving elders 55 and older on the Colville Reservation with meal sites in Nespelem, Inchelium, Keller, and Omak.
Nespelem, Okanogan County
Tribal AAA on the Colville Reservation; serves all seniors 55+ on the reservation with nutrition, family/kinship caregiver support, legal services, SHIBA, and case management.
Des Moines, King County
City of Des Moines senior hub offering Enhance Fitness, lunches, SHIBA Medicare counseling, foot care, and a medical lending closet.
Edmonds, Snohomish County
Downtown Edmonds intergenerational center, successor to the Edmonds Senior Center, with wellness, arts, a thrift store, and the CommonGrounds cafe.
Where to go from here
Adult Day Center
Adult day centers are daytime programs for adults who need some level of supervision and care but not skilled nursing or rehabilitative therapy. Services typically include personal care, social activities, education, routine health monitoring, therapeutic activities, meals and snacks, transportation coordination, first aid, and emergency care.
Adult Day Health
Adult day health is a daytime program for adults who need skilled nursing care or licensed rehabilitative therapy. Centers provide skilled nursing services, physical/occupational/speech-language therapy, brief psychological or counseling services, plus the personal care, meals, social activities, and health monitoring offered at adult day centers.
Apple Health Classic Medicaid (SSI-related / Aged, Blind, Disabled)
"Apple Health" is Washington's name for all of its state medical assistance programs, including Medicaid. "Classic Medicaid" is the part of Apple Health for people who are 65 or older, blind, disabled, or who need long-term care. These programs count your income the same way Supplemental Security Income (SSI) does, rather than using the tax-based rules that apply to younger adults and families. The state Health Care Authority runs most Apple Health programs. The Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) runs SSI-related coverage, the state-funded Medical Care Services program, and the Medicare Savings Programs that help pay Medicare costs. If you have both Medicare and Apple Health, Apple Health acts as your second layer of coverage and picks up costs Medicare does not, such as deductibles, copays, hearing aids, and dental. It can also pay for long-term care.
Apple Health for Workers with Disabilities (HWD)
Apple Health for Workers with Disabilities lets working adults age 16 or older who are blind or disabled buy into Medicaid. It provides full Apple Health coverage. Unlike most disability-based Medicaid, it has no asset test and no upper income limit. You qualify based on your disability (using the federal disability rules) and being employed, full or part time, including self-employment. You pay a monthly premium that goes up with income but never goes above 7.5% of your total income. American Indians and Alaska Natives pay no premium. While you are enrolled, you can put earnings into a separate designated account that will not count toward your eligibility for other Medicaid programs.
Not sure this one fits your situation? Your local Area Agency on Aging can check what you qualify for and point you to the right programs, for free. No one will sell your information, and no one will cold-call you.
Source www.insurance.wa.gov/statewide-health-insurance-benefits-advisors-shiba
Was this helpful?
Help improve this resource for everyone else.