SHIBA (Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors) is a free, unbiased, confidential service of the Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner. SHIBA volunteers in San Juan County help people of all ages and backgrounds with their Medicare questions and options.

Schedule your appointment today!

ShibaSJCo@yahoo.com, Orcas Island: (360) 376-5892, San Juan Island: (360) 375-0292, Lopez Island: (360) 468-4117. And don’t forget to follow SHIBA of San Juan County on Facebook!

SHIBA volunteers assist people through one-one one consultations through phone, video chat or in-person appointments. They answer Medicare questions, make referrals, and help evaluate and compare health insurance policies so people can make informed decisions to find the best possible coverage that meets their needs and fits their budgets. Volunteers can also help screen to see if people qualify for low-income programs to save money on Medicare coverage. (In partnership with the Washington state Office of the Insurance Commissioner, the Orcas Senior Center is your local SHIBA office in San Juan County.)

SHIBA is…

  • Completely FREE and confidential: We keep your personal information safe.
  • Accessible: Some of our volunteers and hotline operators speak languages other than English.
  • Objective and unbiased: We don’t sell or endorse anything.

SHIBA advisors help with…

  • Original Medicare
  • Prescription drugs
  • Low-income programs to help pay for Medicare
  • Medigap (Medicare Supplement) plans
  • Medicare Advantage plans
  • Medicare fraud and abuse
  • Issues with Medicare fraud

Will you be joining Medicare sometime this year?

Learn about Medicare at the following presentations by SHIBA at Orcas Senior Center (attendance can be in person or by registering in advance by Zoom by contacting at ShibaSJCo@yahoo.com).

  • Thurs., Jan. 22, 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
  • Thurs., Mar. 26, 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
  • Thurs., May 28, 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
  • Thurs., July 23, 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
  • Thurs., Sept. 24, 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
  • Thurs., Nov. 19, 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Helpful Publications