Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner, SHIBA HelpLine

The Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors (SHIBA) HelpLine provides free health insurance education, assistance, and advocacy for all Washington residents, including the disabled, in hundreds of communities statewide.

SHIBA HelpLine volunteers and staff assist consumers with choices and problems involving private health insurance as well as many government programs (Medicare, Medicaid, Basic Health, Children's Health Insurance Program, and the Washington State Health Insurance Pool). SHIBA HelpLine volunteers also are experts in Medigap coverage, employment-related health benefits, managed care, long-term care insurance, and fraud and abuse questions.