Medicare Help & Information

About SHIBA

Solid Ground’s Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors (SHIBA) volunteers can help you understand your Medicare rights and options, including Medicare, Medigap, and Medicare Advantage plans.

Our well-trained SHIBA volunteers counsel people of all ages about their Medicare choices and options – including people under age 65 living with disabilities, people getting ready to turn 65, and those already enrolled. We answer your Medicare questions, make referrals, and help evaluate and compare health insurance policies so you can make an informed decision to find the best possible coverage that fits within your budget and meets your needs.

We can also help screen to see if you qualify for low-income programs that can save you money on Medicare coverage. Volunteers assist people through one-on-one consultations by phone or in-person appointments. (Note that in-person appointments are limited. See In-Person SHIBA Counseling below for locations and contact information.)

GET HELP/MORE INFO: Contact Solid Ground’s SHIBA intake line: 206.753.4806 or shiba@solid-ground.org to get connected with a SHIBA volunteer!

SHIBA is offered in partnership with the Washington state Office of the Insurance Commissioner. Solid Ground is your local SHIBA sponsor in King County.

Medicare Open Enrollment for 2027

Thursday, October 15 to Monday, December 7, 2026 is this year’s Medicare Open Enrollment Period (OEP) for making changes to existing plans. New coverage takes effect on January 1, 2027.  

If you already have Medicare, this is your annual chance to review and update your health and drug coverage. Whether you have Original Medicare (Parts A & B) or a Medicare Advantage plan (Part C), plan details can change each year, so it’s important to make sure your coverage still fits. 

In the links below, see Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner (OIC) and State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) resources, tips, and explanations of the changes you can make to your health coverage and drug plan during Medicare Open Enrollment.  

SHIBA offers additional in-person counseling appointments during OEP at many partner sites and community locations. To schedule an appointment, contact the site nearest you listed under In-Person SHIBA Counseling, or view the OIC Calendar linked below for a complete list of upcoming events. 

Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner (OIC) Resources

• OIC Medicare Open Enrollment webpage 
• OIC Medicare Open Enrollment Jumpstart Toolkit (PDF)
• OIC Jumpstart Toolkit Info & Order webpage 
• Order Toolkits in Other Languages or Bulk Orders (account required)
• OIC Medicare Open Enrollment Fraud Prevention Fact Sheet
• OIC Calendar: Find Medicare Events Across WA

Online Open Enrollment Q&A Sessions (October 7 – December 2): Have Medicare Open Enrollment questions? Join a live Q&A with an OIC Medicare specialist. No registration required. Use the links below to join. Spanish-language support available: October 21 & 26, November 18 & 23, and December 2. Obtenga asistencia con Medicare en español.

• Wednesdays, 5:30-7pm (October 7 & 21, November 4 & 18, and December 2)
• Mondays, 10-11:30am (October 12 & 26 and November 9 & 23)

Statewide Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) Resources

• SHIP Medicare Open Enrollment webpage
• SHIP Medicare Open Enrollment Toolkit

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In-Person SHIBA Counseling (by appointment only)

We offer counseling locations for those who need in-person assistance by appointment only. Additional Medicare Open Enrollment counseling sessions are scheduled at most sites from October 15 to December 7. Please contact the site for more information.

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Request a Medicare Workshop

IMPORTANT: We’re no longer accepting presentation requests for the rest of 2026. Requests for 2027 presentations will open after December 7. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Want to host a King County Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors (SHIBA) Medicare presentation for your group or organization? Complete the Medicare Presentation Request Form to get started. Please note that volunteer presenters are limited, but we’ll do our best to accommodate your request.

Medicare Plan Info, Comparison Charts & Resources

Booklets, Brochures, Flyers & Online Resources:

• WEBPAGE: Get help paying for Medicare – See if you qualify for a Medicare Savings Program/Extra Help
• BOOKLET: Paying for prescription drugs
• BOOKLET: What you need to know about Medigap (Medicare Supplement) plans
• BROCHURE: About Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors (SHIBA)
• BROCHURE: Solid Ground’s Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors (SHIBA)
• FLYER: Get help paying for Medicare – Information for American Indians and Alaskan Natives
• FLYER: Stop Medicare Fraud
• FLYER: Watch out for scam calls
• FLYER: 2026 Get help with Medicare Open Enrollment!
• FLYER: 2026 Get help with Medicare in Spanish! / ¡Obtenga asistencia con Medicare en español!

Comparison Charts:

• Your Medicare coverage choices
• 2026 Medicare Advantage Plans (King County)
• 2026 Medicare hospital insurance covered services (Parts A & B)
• 2026 Medicare Part D stand-alone prescription drug plans
• 2027 Medicare Part D stand-alone prescription drug plans
• Approved Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plans (updates quarterly)
• Comparing Medicare supplement (Medigap) and Medicare Advantage plans

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Medicare Fraud Prevention

Fraud costs Medicare an estimated $60 billion per year. It also costs Medicare beneficiaries in time, stress, their medical identities, and potentially their health – and it costs families, friends, and caregivers in worry and lost work when helping their loved ones recover from Medicare fraud. 

More WA State Affordable Health Insurance Options

The Washington Healthplanfinder website can help you find the right health plan for you and your family.

• Free or low-cost Washington Apple Health is available year-round.
• You may qualify for a special enrollment if you are uninsured or have certain life changes.
• Browse current health plans, including Cascade Care plans.
• Navigators are located across Washington state and are available at no cost to help customers sign up for coverage through Washington Healthplanfinder. Navigators can help customers through the application and enrollment process from start to finish.

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