About the SHIBA HelpLine
The Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors (SHIBA) HelpLine provides for all Washington residents, free health insurance education, assistance, and advocacy.
If you are interested in learning more about SHIBA HelpLine, local organizations that sponsor the HelpLine, or opportunities for volunteer training. Contact us here:
| Find a local SHIBA sponsor: | ||
| Call: | 1-800-562-6900 | |
| E-mail: | SHIBAHelpLine@oic.wa.gov | |
| Web: | Interactive map or List of counties | |
SHIBA HelpLine assist consumers with choices and problems involving private health insurance as well as many government programs:
- Medicare,
- Medicaid,
- Basic Health,
- Children's Health Insurance Program, and
- The Washington State Health Insurance Pool.
SHIBA HelpLine volunteers also are experts in Medigap coverage, employment-related health benefits, managed care, and fraud and abuse questions.
The SHIBA HelpLine is the leading program of its kind in the U.S. It serves about 150,000 Washington state consumers annually, saving them nearly $1 million a year.
About volunteer counseling: SHIBA HelpLine volunteer "peer counselors" are highly trained in health insurance issues by the Insurance Commissioner's staff. The volunteers are impartial and objective, and have no affiliations with any insurance company or product. There are about 300 active volunteers statewide, representing nearly every county in the state. Volunteers are intensively trained to counsel on a wide range of health insurance-related issues. They assist people by phone, in person, and through group presentations. They are mentored and closely supervised. Learn more about volunteering.
SHIBA Helpline mission statement: SHIBA HelpLine provides free, unbiased information about health care coverage and access to help improve the lives of all Washington state residents. We cultivate community commitment through partnership, service and volunteering.
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