Senior Health Insurance Counseling for Kansas (SHICK)
What is SHICK?
SHICK offers one-on-one, non-biased counseling and assistance to people with Medicare and their families. Volunteer counselors receive training on Medicare, Medicare Supplemental Insurance, Long Term Care Insurance, and other health insurance issues that concern Kansans who are on Medicaire. 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.-3:30 p.m. for one-on-one appointments.
Medicare Options Classes
Medicare Options Classes are held several times during the year. Options classes provide basic information on Original Medicare, Medicare Advantage Plans, Medigap or Supplemental Insurance Plans and Medicare Prescription Drug coverage. Check our website for availability.
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 from Medicare....
Extra Help is available 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 cost
- You will automatically receive help paying
- Premiums
- Deductibles
- Co-Pays on your medications
- No coverage gap
2020 Extra Help Income and Asset Guidelines
Extra Help | Individual (monthly) | Married (monthly) |
Income limit Guidelines: Includes Social Security, veterans pensions, work income, and retirement pension | Full: $1,489 | Full: $2,011 |
Partial: $1,595 | Partial: $2,155 | |
Asset limit Guidelines: Includes checking, savings, retirement accounts, IRA’s, and CD’s | With burial exclusion: $14,390 | With burial exclusion: $29,160 |
Without burial exclusion: $13,110 | Without burial exclusion: $26,160 |
* The amounts listed above include a standard $20 income discard
Medicare Savings Program
If you qualify, the Medicare Saving Program can help you pay for your Medicare premiums, and possibly your Medicare coinsurance, copayments and deductibles. Contact our office for more information.
2020 MSP Income and Asset Guidelines
Medicare Savings Program | Individual monthly income limit | Married monthly income limit | MSP Pays For: |
Qualified Medicare Beneficiary-QMB | $1,063 | $1,4367 | Part A, Part B Premiums, co-payments, deductibles, and co-insurance |
Low Income Medicare Beneficiary-LMB | $1,276 | $1,724 | Part B Premium |
Expanded Low Income Medicare Beneficiary-ELMB | $1,436 | $1,940 | Part B Premium |
* The amounts listed above include a standard $20 income disregard.
MSP Asset Guidelines | Individual asset limits | Married asset limits |
Assets include: checking, savings, retirement accounts, IRS’s and CD’s | With burial exclusion: $9,360 | With burial exclusion: $14,800 |
Without burial exclusion: $7,860 | Without burial exclusion: $11,80 |
For more information please contact our office.
