Senior Health Insurance Benefits Assistance
Get Help Understanding Medicare
Senior Health Insurance Benefits Assistance (SHIBA) provides free, unbiased Medicare information to beneficiaries and their families or representatives. SHIBA helps prevent fraud, abuse, and scams and assists with Medicare appeals and other Medicare-related issues.
SHIBA is a statewide network of trained volunteers who educate and advocate for people who have Medicare. Willamalane sponsors the SHIBA program for Lane County.
Learn More
info SHIBA Guide
Oregon Guide to Medicare Insurance Plans
See this PDF from SHIBA and the Oregon Department of Human Services.
movie Medicare 101
Learn the basics of Medicare, including parts A, B, C, D, and Medigap, eligibility, enrollment, choosing between options, and more. All information is current as of May 2025 and subject to change with Medicare rules.
movie Medicare Fraud Prevention
Learn about common scams targeting Medicare beneficiaries and simple steps to protect yourself and your loved ones from fraud. SHIBA of Lane County presents this lecture.
movie Medicare Preventive Services
Find out about the free preventive services Medicare offers to help you stay healthy and catch potential issues early. SHIBA of Lane County, Oregon presents this lecture.
movie Medicare Options after loss of Medicaid
Medicare Options after loss of Medicaid
Watch this video from Oregon SHIBA to learn about your Medicare options if you lose Medicaid. This 30-minute video explains your options and steps you should take to maintain health coverage.
movie Medicare Open Enrollment
Watch this video from Oregon SHIBA to learn about Medicare options during open enrollment.
info Counsel-O-Matic
An online tool that helps individuals immediately answer Medicare questions and how to get more help if they still have questions.
How We Can Help
You can get help comparing plans, understanding your benefits, and planning enrollment.
SHIBA Volunteers can help you with the following:
- Understanding your Medicare options once you turn 65 or become Medicare-eligible
- Understanding the difference between Medicare parts A, B, C, and D
- Navigating the difference between Medicare Advantage and Medigap plans
- Screening for Medicare financial assistance programs
- Selecting and enrolling in Medicare Advantage plans
- Selecting and enrolling in a Medicare Part D plans
- Navigating Medicare billing issues
- Filing and navigating Medicare appeals
- Reporting and understanding Medicare fraud, errors, and abuse
To get started, click the button below to fill out a quick form. A SHIBA volunteer will contact you within three business days to follow up. Or you can call Lane County SHIBA hotline at 541-736-4421
Volunteer with SHIBA
The Senior Health Benefits Assistance program is a great volunteer opportunity for anyone who would like to make an immediate impact in the lives of seniors and those eligible for Medicare. For those new to Medicare, deciding on coverage options can often feel overwhelming. SHIBA counselors can be a great resource and provide beneficiaries with all their coverage options helping them weigh the pros and cons in an unbiased counseling session.
SHIBA volunteers receive over 40 hours of training plus 12 hours of annual continuing education. SHIBA counselors help with everything from Medicare basics to complex appeals.
For those studying health care, social work, community advocacy and gerontology, becoming a SHIBA volunteer can provide you with hands-on experience you’ll need in your future career. Volunteering is also a great option for those who have gone through the Medicare transition process and want to help others do the same.
Request a Presentation
SHIBA volunteers can provide your organization with community education across Lane County at local community centers, libraries and other community spaces across the county.
Partner Organizations
- Oregon State SHIBA hotline: Call 1-800-722-4134 or visit their website.
- Senior and Disability Services: Call 541-682-3353 for help applying to the Medicare Savings Program. An eligibility Specialist is onsite at the Willamalane Adult Activity Center every Wednesday from 8 a.m.- 4 p.m.
- Oregon Medicare Savings Connect: Call 1-855-447-0155 for help applying for Part D assistance through the Social Security Administration. Or complete the online application here.
- Social Security Administration: If you are new to Medicare and are not taking Social Security, you will need to apply for parts A and B. You can do this by contacting the Social Security Administration at 866-563-3450 or online.
- RideSource service by LTD: To get assistance with transportation to your medical appointments, call 541-687-5555 and ask for a transportation assessment.
- Medicare: You can get help with many basic questions by calling 1-800-633-4227. Representatives are available 7 days a week.
- Aging and Disability Resource Connection: Older adults and people with disabilities can get a referral to over 5,000 resources across Oregon. Call 855-673-2372.
This website is supported by the Administration for Community Living (ACL) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The contents were created by Willamalane Park and Recreation District and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by ACL/HHS, or the U.S. Government.