Supportive Services

Helping you navigate the complexities of senior health care.

Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors (SHIBA) is a free, unbiased, and confidential program offered through the Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner.  A volunteer program, your local SHIBA makes its home at the Olympia Senior Center. If you live in Mason or Thurston counties, our volunteers can help guide you through your Medicare options.

Our volunteers can help make sense of confusing information, potentially find programs that may save you money on Medicare’s out-of-pocket costs or help you make more informed choices about your health care. SHIBA volunteers assist thousands of individuals and their families across the state every year.

Read an article about SHIBA in Fortune Magazine!

Are you new to Medicare?

‍ If you have questions regarding your choices for health care options now that you are eligible for Medicare, SHIBA volunteers are here to help. We answer your Medicare questions, make referrals, and help evaluate and compare health insurance policies so you can make an informed decision to find best possible coverage that fits within your budget and meets your needs. To learn more about SHIBA and the Office of the Insurance Commissioner, visit them on the web at https://www.insurance.wa.gov.

Current Offerings from SHIBA

We provide "Welcome to Medicare" Zoom and other online events monthly, including "Help Prevent Healthcare Fraud and Abuse" and "Medicare's Open Enrollment" during October and November.  

View our current presentations >>>

Current Hours:

Olympia Senior Center:

Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday from 9:00 am - 3:00 pm (by phone, zoom or email)

Monday and Friday: Counselors available by phone- hours vary. Please call 360.586.6181 ext. 134 for appt.

Prescheduled In-person appointments are available upon request.

Volunteer Opportunities:

A free service of the Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner, SHIBA volunteers provide unbiased and confidential Medicare counseling and outreach services.   If you’re retired or getting ready to retire and looking for new ways to stay active, becoming a SHIBA volunteer could be for you! And if you speak another language in addition to English – that’s a bonus! Note: We can’t take anyone who has any interest in an insurance company, other than as a policyholder.

If you would like to volunteer for this rewarding program, please contact SHIBA at 1.800.562.6900 or contact our SHIBA Coordinator below.