Free Medicare counseling

Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors (SHIBA): free Medicare counseling in Washington

Washington's Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors program, called SHIBA, gives free, unbiased Medicare help.

Checked Oct 28, 2026

From the Washington Office of the Insurance Commissioner

An older man talks on the phone at his kitchen table, taking notes on a yellow pad

The Washington Office of the Insurance Commissioner runs it with volunteer advisors who help you understand Medicare and enroll. Call 1-800-562-6900 weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., or send a message on the SHIBA page.

How to apply in Washington

Online: insurance.wa.gov (official government site)
By phone: 1-800-562-6900
In person: Call the hotline and ask to be connected with your local SHIBA office to book an appointment with a SHIBA advisor. The Insurance Commissioner's website also lists local SHIBA offices and Medicare counseling events.
Who runs it: Washington Office of the Insurance Commissioner (official government site)

Applying is free. Nobody should charge you to apply.

Apply on the official site

Who may qualify in Washington

Who may qualify for Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors (SHIBA)
Who may get help	Anyone with Medicare, and their family and caregivers

Source: Administration for Community Living (source 2)

Good to know

There is no cost to use SHIP services.
1-800-562-6900 is also the Insurance Consumer Hotline.
The SHIP National Technical Assistance Center lists this program as the state's SHIP.

Sources: Washington Office of the Insurance Commissioner (source 1), SHIP National Technical Assistance Center (source 4)

Free help

Free help with this in Washington

Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors (SHIBA)
Free, unbiased Medicare counseling in Washington. Trained counselors go through your costs and choices with you, and they don't sell plans.
1-800-562-6900
Washington Office of the Insurance Commissioner website (official government site)
Home and Community Living Administration (HCLA)
Your local Area Agency on Aging can help with meals, rides, help at home, caregiver support and applying for benefits.
Washington Department of Social and Health Services, Home and Community Living Administration website (official government site)

More help in Washington

Free Medicare counseling in another state

Sources

Washington Office of the Insurance Commissioner, Get free, unbiased Medicare help from the Washington SHIBA program (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
Administration for Community Living, State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
SHIP National Technical Assistance Center, About SHIPs. Checked Oct 28, 2026.
SHIP National Technical Assistance Center, Washington SHIP. Checked Oct 28, 2026.

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