Senior Health Insurance Counseling for Kansas (SHICK)
What is SHICK?
SHICK offers one-on-one, non-biased counseling and assistance to individuals and families either getting ready to sign up for Medicare, or those who already have Medicare. Volunteer counselors receive training on Medicare, Medicare Supplemental Insurance, Long-Term Care Insurance, and other health insurance issues that concern Kansans. SHICK counselors are not affiliated with the insurance industry. If you are new to Medicare or have questions about Medicare or Medicare related issues, SHICK counselors are available Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. for one-on-one appointments.
Medicare Options Classes
Medicare Options Classes are held several times during the year (between the months of January through June). Options classes provide basic information on Original Medicare, Medicare Advantage Plans, Medigap or Supplemental Insurance Plans and Medicare Prescription Drug coverage.
Medicare Open Enrollment
Medicare Open Enrollment is from October 15-December 7. During this time period you can:
- Change from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage Plan.
- Change from a Medicare Advantage Plan back to Original Medicare.
- 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.
- Switch from a Medicare Advantage Plan that offers drug coverage to a Medicare Advantage Plan that doesn't offer drug coverage.
- Join a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan.
- Switch from one Medicare drug plan to another Medicare drug plan.
- Drop your Medicare prescription drug coverage completely.
Do You Need Help Paying for Your Medications?
You may qualify for Extra Help if you have:
- Income less than 150% of the federal poverty level.
- Limited resources, such as bank accounts, stocks, bonds, IRA's.
If you qualify for Extra Help:
- Medicare will pay 75% or more of your prescription drug costs.
- You will automatically recieve help paying for:
- Premiums
- Deductibles
- Co-pays on your medications
- No coverage gap
To apply for Extra Help visit: Social Security Administration
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BELOW ARE YOUR 2024 MEDICARE OVERVIEWS & IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS/WEBSITES! (Click on English or Spanish) ⇓ ⇓ ⇓ ⇓ ⇓ ⇓
(English) 2024 Overview Medicare A & B
(Spanish) 2024 Overview Medicare A & B
Important Links
Medicare Important Phone Numbers and Websites
Contact Information
Have Questions? Contact:
Sedgwick County
Aging and Medicare
7001 W. 21st St. North
Wichita KS 67205-1759
Fax: (316) 660-0166
Melissa Schrag Extension Agent Adult Development and Aging (316) 660-0117 meliss89@ksu.edu
Amy Hiebert SHICK Program Assistant (316) 660-0126 achiebert@ksu.edu
Gail Coggins SHICK Office Professional (A.M.) (316) 660-0124 gailcoggins@ksu.edu
Julie Carver SHICK Office Professional (P.M.) (316) 660-0124 jccarver@ksu.edu
Jennifer Exline FCS Office Professional (316) 660-0143 exline@ksu.edu