Senior Health Insurance Benefits Assistance (SHIBA) Program

The Senior Health Insurance Benefits Assistance Program provides trained volunteers to help people with Medicare make informed health insurance decisions.

SHIBA logo

Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period begins January 1, 2025 and lasts until March 31, 2025.

During this time if you are in a Medicare Advantage plan as of January 1, you can:

  • Return to Original Medicare + a stand alone Part D drug plan
  • Change to another Medicare Advantage plan

Need help picking a Medicare plan?

Picking the right Medicare plan is individualized and we can make sure you pick a plan that meets your health needs.

We’re trained and offer free, unbiased assistance with Medicare issues.

Trained SHIBA volunteers can help Medicare beneficiaries:

  • Find out if they’re eligible for benefits they are not receiving
  • Compare insurance policies
  • File claims
  • Make appeals and complaints when necessary
  • Make referrals to federal, state and county offices
  • Identify potential insurance violations.

SHIBA offers one-on-one Medicare counseling. For more information please call the Aging and Disability Resource Connection (ADRC) at 503-988-3646 or email adrc@multco.us.

Medicare Advantage Plans Comparison Charts

Document

Want to learn more about Medicare?

Sign up for a Virtual Medicare Basics or Medicare 101 class

Oregon Guide to Medicare Insurance Plans (SHIBA)

Videos to learn more about SHIBA

What SHIBA can do for you

What to expect when you meet with a volunteer

Learn about our volunteer staff members' rigorous training

Want to volunteer with SHIBA?

Program Overview

This program’s success is built on a statewide network of trained volunteer counselors. Counselors help people in their community understand their Medicare insurance choices and their rights through individual counseling, education, and referrals.

Duties and Being a Volunteer

  • Complete the SHIBA Volunteer Application, screening, training, and internship.
  • Maintain confidentiality of client information, per Oregon SHIBA Security Plan.
  • Provide individual health insurance assistance at sponsor site or in clients’ homes.
  • Assess clients’ resources and health care/health insurance needs.
  • Complete Client Contact forms either online or on paper.
  • Refer clients to resources as needed.

Successful volunteers

  • Enjoy helping others
  • Are dependable, understanding, patient, and compassionate
  • Communicate well
  • Protect client confidentiality
  • Have no conflict of interest
  • Want to provide SHIBA services
  • Have computer skills or are willing to learn
  • Work well alone and in a team

Apply to volunteer

Apply today online or call 503-988-3646 to connect with the SHIBA volunteer coordinator.


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Last reviewed date December 6, 2024