K-State Research and Extension River Valley District

Medicare

Senior Health Insurance Counseling for Kansas (SHICK)

Senior Health Insurance Counseling for Kansas (SHICK) Counselors provide free, unbiased, and confidential assistance to Kansans who have questions about Medicare and related insurance issues. They meet one-on-one with Medicare Beneficiaries throughout the year to assist with open enrollment periods, Medicare questions, or issues.

Medicare Basics Programs

This is a program where we educate on the basics of Medicare. This program is geared towards those who are turning 65, retiring, or just beginning their journey with Medicare.

We try to offer one Medicare Basics Program a month and we move them around the River Valley District. If you are interested in attending or finding out more information about our Medicare Basics Program, please contact your local River Valley Extension District Office.

Medicare Open Enrollment

Medicare Open Enrollment occurs each year from October 15th – December 7th. This is an annual opportunity for Medicare Beneficiaries to compare Part D Plans for drug coverage and pricing.

During this time, you can:

  • Change from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan
  • Change from a Medicare Advantage back to Original Medicare (you may not have the guarantee to purchase a Medicare supplement).
  • Switch from one Medicare Advantage plan to another Medicare Advantage plan.
  • Switch from a Medicare Advantage plan that doesn't offer drug coverage to a Medicare Advantage plan that offers drug coverage (you may have a penalty).
  • Switch from a Medicare Advantage Plan that offers drug coverage to a Medicare plan that doesn't offer drug coverage.
  • Join a Medicare Prescription Drug plan.
  • Drop your Medicare prescription drug coverage completely.

Drug Worksheet

Medicare Questions

If you are new to Medicare or have questions about Medicare, we do schedule one-on-one appointments in all four offices of the River Valley Extension District. Please contact either Monica Thayer, Family Resource Management Agent in the Belleville Office at 785-527-5084 or Jordan Schuette, Adult Development and Aging Agent in the Washington Office at 785-325-2121.

Helpful Resources

Social Security Administration - Salina Office (Cloud and Republic Counties)

1410 East Iron Avenue, Suite 7

Salina, KS 67401

Phone: 1-877-405-3494

Fax: 833-950-2332

Social Security Administration – Manhattan Office (Clay and Washington Counties)

1121 Hudson Avenue #A

Manhattan, KS 66503

Phone: 1-877-840-5741

Fax: 833-950-2636

 

Kansas Insurance Department

Information on Medicare Supplement Insurance
Kansas Insurance Department
1300 SW Arrowhead Rd.
Topeka, KS 66604
1-800-432-2484
https://insurance.kansas.gov

Area Agency on Aging

North Central Flint Hills Area Agency on Aging (Clay, Cloud, and Republic Counties)

401 Houston Street

Manhattan, KS 66502

Phone: (785) 776-9294 or (800) 432-2703

 

Northeast Kansas Area Agency on Aging and Disability Resource Center (Washington County)

1803 Oregon

Hiawatha, KS 66434

Phone: (785) 742-7152 or (800) 883-2549

 

KanCare Clearinghouse (Medical Eligibility for the Elderly & Disabled)

P.O. Box 3599
Topeka, KS 66601-9738
1-800-792-4884
Fax: 1-844-264-6285
TDD/TTY: 1-800-792-4292

Apply for KanCare online: https://kancare.ks.gov/consumers/apply-for-kancare

  • Apply for the Medicare Savings Program: Help paying for Medicare premiums, co-pays and co-insurance