he State Health Insurance Benefits Assistance (SHIBA) program is a free service that uses trained and certified volunteers to provide Medicare education and advocacy to Central Oregon’s older adult community. For more than six years, volunteer Rob Cohen has enthusiastically assisted people from the tri-county area through the enrollment process and with yearly benefit reviews. Earlier this spring, his service was recognized at the Volunteers Recognition Luncheon of the Council on Aging of Central Oregon.

“The best thing about being a SHIBA volunteer is helping folks better understand their Medicare benefits,” said Rob. “After a counseling session, clients are able to make more informed decisions about how to meet their health insurance needs. They also experience less anxiety, which can really build when becoming Medicare-eligible.”

Rob enjoys working with all his clients; however, some experiences have been particularly memorable. One couple challenged by very high premiums actively considered divorce as a way to secure the more affordable health insurance rates offered to older single people. In the same week in which they scheduled a meeting with a divorce attorney to begin proceedings, they also met with Rob. He helped them navigate through their health insurance options and identified a comprehensive health plan at little cost that would let them forgo divorce.

Rob encourages everyone on Medicare to meet with a SHIBA counselor for a yearly benefits checkup during the open enrollment period, which occurs this year between October 15 and December 7. These annual reviews have saved some clients hundreds—even thousands—of dollars. For instance, one couple found that the prescription drug plan they’d had since 2007 required increasing and budget-straining co-pays. They met with Rob during the open enrollment period and found a drug plan that reduced their yearly prescription costs by nearly $4,000.

“That’s a huge savings for people living on a fixed income,” said Rob.

While Medicare continues to fund the SHIBA program, it does face political and financial uncertainty, with funding cuts seemingly always up for discussion.

“Those kinds of health care cuts would be a serious misstep for all seniors,” said Rob. “Many of the clients we counsel are already challenged financially. They need these services to maintain their health or to treat serious or chronic illness. In the long run, these programs provide a huge cost savings for both our clients and the government.”

In addition to advising Central Oregon’s older adults to meet with a SHIBA counselor, Rob recommends interested volunteers go through the program for certification.

“It’s a tremendously rewarding way to serve the community and meet wonderful people,” he affirms.

If you are on Medicare or are in the mandatory three-month enrollment period before turning 65, call the Council on Aging’s SHIBA line at 541-678-5483, ext. 211. Rob or another highly trained, certified counselor will get in touch to set up an appointment to guide you through registration. For Spanish-speaking older adults, Medicare enrollment and review appointments can also be made with certified SHIBA counselors at the Latino Community Association by calling 541-382-4366.