SHIBA HelpLine is a statewide network of trained volunteers who educate, assist and advocate for consumers about their rights and options regarding health insurance and health care access. WAHA is the Whatcom County SHIBA sponsor.
SHIBA HelpLine is:
- Completely FREE
- Confidential—your personal information is kept safe and private
- Accessible—some operators and volunteers are bi-lingual
- Impartial/objective/unbiased—we don’t sell or endorse anything
SHIBA HelpLine can help you:
- Find affordable health insurance, prescription drugs or health care for you and your family
- Learn about your rights and options
- Compare insurance plans and prices
- Understand government health programs
- Appeal a decision by your health plan
- Understand a bill from your doctor’s office
SHIBA HelpLine can provide information about:
- Navigating the health care system
- COBRA and other post-employment options
- Commercial market catastrophic and comprehensive individual and family health plans
- Health Savings Accounts
- Basic Health (lower-cost subsidized health insurance)
- Health insurance for kids (a family of 4 can earn up to $40,000/yr and their children may still qualify for low-cost or free health insurance)
- Washington State Health Insurance Pool
- Health insurance for people with disabilities
- Planning health insurance options for retirement
- Medicare A, B, D and Medicare supplements
- Medicaid and other state-sponsored health programs
- Health insurance for immigrant families
- How to read a medical bill or explanation of benefits (EOB)
- Understanding insurance policies
- Multiple insurance: Who pays first?
- Reporting insurance fraud and abuse
Call today! (360) 788-6533 or (800) 562-6900.
Want to help others navigate their health care options? Click here for information about becoming a SHIBA Helpline volunteer.