SHIBA vs a Medicare Broker in Oregon: What's the Difference?
Ready to look at real plans? Medicare’s official Plan Finder shows every plan in your ZIP code, with costs for your drugs.
Want free one-on-one help? Oregon’s SHIBA program offers free, unbiased Medicare counseling. Call 800-722-4134 or visit shiba.oregon.gov.
What Is SHIBA?
SHIBA stands for Senior Health Insurance Benefits Assistance. It’s Oregon’s free Medicare help program. Its trained, certified counselors, many of them volunteers, provide local, confidential, one-on-one help to Oregonians with Medicare questions. SHIBA also offers free Medicare classes and publishes an annual Oregon Medicare guide.
You can reach SHIBA at 800-722-4134 (TTY: dial 711).
SHIBA vs a Broker, Side by Side
| SHIBA counselor | Licensed Medicare broker | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost to you | Free | Free (insurers pay the broker) |
| Explains your options | Yes | Yes |
| Recommends a specific plan | No | Yes, from the insurers they represent |
| Helps you enroll | Can help you understand enrollment | Can enroll you in plans they represent |
| Paid by insurers | No | Yes, within federal limits for Medicare Advantage and Part D |
| Covers every plan | Gives unbiased information on your options | Only the insurers they represent, and must tell you that |
When SHIBA is a great fit
You want unbiased education with no sales involved. You have a billing problem, a denied claim, or a question about how Medicare works. You want to understand your options before talking to anyone selling plans.
When a broker is a great fit
You want someone to recommend a specific plan for your doctors, drugs, and budget. You want help comparing plans from several insurers and enrolling. You want someone to check in every year before Open Enrollment.
Medicare’s official Plan Finder shows every plan in your ZIP code, with costs for your drugs.
Want free one-on-one help? Oregon’s SHIBA program offers free, unbiased Medicare counseling. Call 800-722-4134 or visit shiba.oregon.gov.
How Brokers Get Paid
Insurance companies pay brokers a commission when you enroll, and your premium is the same either way. For Medicare Advantage and Part D, federal rules cap what plans can pay. For 2027, that’s up to $725 for a new Medicare Advantage enrollment and $130 for a new Part D plan.
FAQs
What is SHIBA in Oregon?
Senior Health Insurance Benefits Assistance, Oregon's free Medicare counseling program. Call 800-722-4134.
Is SHIBA free?
Yes. SHIBA counseling is free.
Can SHIBA recommend a Medicare plan?
No. SHIBA counselors can explain your options, but in Oregon only a licensed agent can recommend a specific plan.
Is a Medicare broker free?
Yes. The insurance company pays the broker, and Medicare Advantage plans must make sure you aren't charged consulting fees.
Should I use SHIBA or a broker?
Use SHIBA for unbiased education and help with Medicare problems. Use a broker when you want a specific plan recommendation and help enrolling. Many people use both.
Medicare’s official Plan Finder shows every plan in your ZIP code, with costs for your drugs.
Want free one-on-one help? Oregon’s SHIBA program offers free, unbiased Medicare counseling. Call 800-722-4134 or visit shiba.oregon.gov.
