Washington’s SHIBA Program Ranked Among Top 15 in Country

OLYMPIA, Wash., Dec. 6 -- The Washington state Office of the Insurance Commissioner issued the following news release:

The U.S. Administration for Community Living (ACL) recently announced Washington state's SHIBA (Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors) program ranked 13th nationally in performance for helping people with their Medicare coverage.

The annual ACL performance report measures the 54 Statewide Health Insurance Assistance Programs (SHIP) on their Medicare client counseling, outreach and enrollment assistance. Each state has a SHIP, including the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands. SHIBA is Washington state's SHIP.

"I'm extremely proud of the work our SHIBA volunteers and staff do to serve Medicare clients in our state," said Washington State Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler. "Our trained volunteers answer consumer questions, help evaluate and compare Medicare options, make referrals, and advocate for consumers. They're a knowledgeable and passionate group of people who truly care about making someone else's life better."

A public service offered through the Office of Insurance Commissioner, more than 400 trained SHIBA volunteer advisors provide free, impartial and confidential counseling and education to people in their local communities on Medicare, health care programs and prescription drug access, fraud and abuse, and more.

SHIBA also offers individual and group help statewide, and helps people in a variety of languages. For assistance with your Medicare coverage - or if you'd like to become a SHIBA volunteer - call us at 800-562-6900 and ask to speak with a SHIBA volunteer advisor in your county, or visit us at www.insurance.wa.gov/shiba.

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