Hillsboro residents on Medicare can get free, one-on-one help choosing a plan before open enrollment begins Oct. 15.
Washington County Disability, Aging and Veteran Services (DAVS) announced it will staff trained volunteers at the Hillsboro Senior Center and other locations across the county through Dec. 7, the enrollment deadline. The volunteers are part of the Senior Health Insurance Benefits Assistance (SHIBA) program, an Oregon state program that provides unbiased guidance on plan options.
DAVS program coordinator Bobbie Hoke said the office has fielded calls since August from people seeking help.
"Medicare is complicated, and 2027 will see some significant Medicare Advantage plan changes," Hoke said. "We are here to help folks navigate this."
The county did not detail what those plan changes will look like.
Walk-in locations in Hillsboro
Two Hillsboro locations offer walk-in counseling with no appointment needed. Visitors are seen first-come, first-served and should expect a wait.
- Hillsboro Senior Center, 750 SE 8th Ave. — Wednesdays, noon to 2 p.m.
- DAVS office, 5240 NE Elam Young Pkwy., Suite 300 — Fridays, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Sessions run throughout the enrollment window except Nov. 11, Nov. 26 and Nov. 27.
Appointments at other county sites
Residents who prefer a scheduled session can call 503-846-3094 and leave a message with their name, phone number, city and any language needs beyond English. Appointment-based counseling is available at:
- DAVS office — Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Elsie Stuhr Center, 5550 SW Hall Blvd., Beaverton — Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Juanita Pohl Center, 8513 SW Tualatin Rd., Tualatin — Fridays, 12:30 to 3:30 p.m.
- Marjorie Stewart Senior Community Center, 21907 SW Sherwood Blvd., Sherwood — Wednesdays, noon to 3 p.m.
Select dates are also available at the Tigard Senior Center and Scappoose Senior Center.
Free classes nearby
SHIBA also offers free Medicare 101 classes in the area. A session at the Forest Grove Library, 2114 Pacific Ave., runs Saturday, Oct. 17, from 1 to 3 p.m. Another is scheduled at the Elsie Stuhr Center in Beaverton on Tuesday, Nov. 10, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Neither requires registration. A full list is available on the Oregon SHIBA classes page.
Open enrollment closes Dec. 7.
