SHIBA & Medicare

SHIBA provides FREE and UNBIASED Medicare advice to anyone receiving Medicare and/or Medicare + Medicaid. 

We want to help you find the very best program for you. 

Additional programs are available to help pay for costs. Talk to us!

SHIBA – Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors

Serving Medicare Clients of Snohomish and Skagit Counties as well as Camano Island

For information call 425.290.1276 

Welcome to Medicare Presentation

This live, interactive class will give you an overview of Medicare and the different options you can choose for your specific needs. This will help you have a more productive appointment with a SHIBA advisor.

You will learn about:

·       The basic structure and choices within Medicare (Original Part A&B, Advantage Plans, Part D, Medigaps)

·       Enrollment timelines

·       Options to help pay for your Medicare costs

·       Prescription drug programs

·       How to watch for and prevent Medicare fraud

UPCOMING ONLINE PRESENTATIONS​

How To Reach Us

This presentation is by live interactive Zoom. Registration is required. 

1st Thursday of the Month 1:30-3pm
Click Link HERE for dates

2nd Wednesday of the Month 6-8pm
Click Link HERE for dates

3rd Thursday of the Month 1:30-3pm
Click Link HERE for dates

4th Wednesday of the Month 6-8pm
Click Link HERE for dates

Questions? Please send an email to Celeste Virago

OPEN ENROLLMENT 2026 (October 15 – December 7)

We begin taking appointments on October 1st, 2025. Open enrollment is for people already enrolled in Medicare, NOT new to Medicare. 

Order or view our Open Enrollment Tool Kit to help you get ready for your appointment by clicking the link below!

LINK FOR OPEN ENROLLMENT TOOL KIT 

Calendar of Open Enrollment Events:

Edmonds Waterfront Center – Oct 22, Nov 10, Dec 1, Dec 5

Camano Center – Oct 24

Anacortes Senior Activity Center – Oct 28, Nov 5, Nov 19

Monroe Senior Center – Oct 30

Carl Gipson Everett – Oct 31

Marysville Center – Nov 3

Rose Hill Mukilteo – Nov 6

Burlington Senior Center – Nov 7

Lynnwood Verdant – Nov 12

Snohomish Library – Nov 20

Stilly Center Arlington – Nov 14

Mount Vernon Senior Center- Nov 17

La Connor Senior Center – Nov 18

Mill Creek Senior Center – Nov 21

Stanwood/Lincoln Hill – Nov 24

Virtual Appointment Using Zoom – various dates

How To Reach Us

Email is the fastest way to reach us. (shibasnohomish@gmail.com) Or you can call  425.290.1276 to leave a message on our helpline. Calls are returned in the order they are received but we do our best to get back to you within 48 hours.

Advisors return calls & emails Monday through Friday, 9:00am to 4:00 pm. They will often be calling from a blocked number. You may want to communicate by email if your phone does not accept blocked numbers. 

What Is Shiba?

SHIBA (Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors) is a free, confidential and impartial counseling resource sponsored by the Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner. Volunteer advisors will help you understand your rights and options and offer up-to-date information so that you can make an informed decision concerning your health insurance needs.

SHIBA volunteers are highly trained to counsel Medicare-eligible residents of all ages regarding choices, options, and problems with private health insurance, affordable prescription drugs, and Medicare.

Become a SHIBA volunteer!

Help your friends, neighbors and family learn more about health insurance and public programs! Many volunteer opportunities available! SHIBA volunteers receive 30 hours of basic health insurance training, monthly updates and ongoing supervision and support by a staff member of the Office of the Insurance Commissioner. 

Please contact SHIBA Volunteer Coordinator Celeste Virago at celeste.virago@edmondswaterfrontcenter.org for questions or to have an application sent to you.