Medicare Plans in Kansas

Medicare Plans in Kansas

Kansas offers a selection of Medicare plans, but sorting through your options to find the right level of coverage can be very time consuming. We don’t think it has to be. We’ll help navigate you through the Medicare plans in Kansas to help you find the right coverage.

Who’s eligible for a Medicare Plans in Kansas?

To qualify for Medicare, you must be eligible for Social Security benefits. Most people first become eligible once they reach 65 years old, but certain people younger than 65 may also qualify. If you’re under 65, you can qualify if you have Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) or End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD). You may also qualify if you have been a recipient of Social Security Disability Income for 24 months.

To qualify, you must be a citizen or permanent resident, having lived in the US for at least 5 years. You or your spouse must also have had a job that paid towards your Medicare through Social Security deductions for at least 10 years.

You can view plans in your area online or talk to a licensed insurance agent by calling the number above.

What are the Medicare Plans in Alabama?

Orginial Medicare Part A & Part B

Original Medicare is the federal part of Medicare and has two components:

Part A (Hospital Insurance) covers inpatient services, like hospital care, nursing home care, and care received at a skilled nursing facility.

Part B (Medical Insurance) covers certain outpatient medical services and supplies. Part B includes mental health care, ambulance services, and durable medical equipment, like canes, blood sugar monitors, and walkers. Part B also covers some services that prevent or detect illnesses at an early stage, like flu shots, cardiovascular screenings, and diabetes screenings.

Original Medicare doesn’t cover everything. For example, it doesn’t cover long term care, most prescription drugs, hearing exams/aids, vision, or dental care. For this reason, there are other different types of Medicare plans available through Medicare-approved private insurance companies for different levels of coverage.

Medicare Advantage Plans   (Part C)

Medicare Advantage plans offer an alternative to the coverage provided by Original Medicare Parts A and B. These plans provide the same coverage as Original Medicare but can also include additional benefits not covered by Parts A or B, like dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage. Medicare Advantage plans with prescription drug benefits are called Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug (MAPD) plans.

To enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan, you must first be enrolled in both parts A and B of Original Medicare. If enrolled, you will continue paying your Part B premium in addition to your Part C premium. There’s a selection of Medicare Advantage plans available in Kansas, offering varying degrees of coverage.

Learn more about Medicare Advantage Plans »

Medicare Prescription Drug Plans (Part D)

Medicare Part D provides coverage for prescription drugs, something not covered by Original Medicare Parts A and B, or Medigap plans. Medicare Prescription Drug plans are provided and coordinated by private insurance companies that are contracted with Medicare. Any beneficiary can sign-up for Medicare Part D, provided that they are eligible for Original Medicare, Part A and/or Part B, and are a permanent resident of the Medicare Prescription Drug Plan service area.

Medicare Part D comes in two forms – stand-alone Medicare Prescription Drug plans, which add drug coverage to Original Medicare, and Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug Plans (MAPD) which are Medicare Advantage Plans that provide prescription drug coverage. Prescription drugs are organized into tiers, with each tier having a certain copay or coinsurance. Each Part D plan provides a drug formulary, so you can see what the coinsurance/copay would be for each drug and select the plan with the best value for your prescription needs.

Monthly plan premiums and out-of-pocket expenses for prescription drugs will vary from plan to plan. Medicare Prescription Drug coverage is optional. You may have to pay a late-enrollment penalty if you wait to enroll, rather than enrolling as soon as you’re eligible.

Learn more about Medicare Prescription Drug Plans »

Medicare Supplement Plans (Medigap)

As we mentioned earlier, Medicare beneficiaries are still responsible for paying a portion of their medical bills. That’s where Medicare Supplement plans come in. These plans are designed to fill the gaps in coverage left by Original Medicare Parts A and B. Medigap plans work alongside Original Medicare to pay for things that Original Medicare doesn’t cover, like coinsurance, copayments, and deductibles.

Learn more about Medicare Supplement Plans »

When Can I Enroll In A Plan?

Medicare Advantage and Medicare Prescription Drug Plans

You’re first eligible to enroll in Medicare during your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP). This period begins three months before the month of your 65th birthday and continues for three months after. This means that you have a total of seven months to enroll.

Then you can make changes to your Medicare Advantage and Medicare Prescription Drug coverage during the Annual Election Period (AEP). The AEP occurs every year from October 15th to December 7th.

Medicare Initial Enrollment Period

7-Month Initial Enrollment Period  |  Begins 3 months before the month you turn 65

*Signing up for Parts A and B during months 5,6, and 7 may result in delayed coverage.

KEY FACT: The General Enrollment Period provides you an opportunity to enroll in Original Medicare if you missed your IEP. This period occurs every year from January 1st to March 31st. Then, you’ll have an opportunity to select a Medicare Advantage Plan from April 1st through June 30th.

Medicare Supplement Plans

Once you’ve enrolled in both parts of Original Medicare (Parts A and B), you can select the Medigap plan of your choice during your Medigap Open Enrollment Period. This 6-month period begins the month you are both 65 or older and enrolled in Medicare Part B.

Important Note: If you fail to enroll in a Medigap plan during your Medigap Open Enrollment Period, you’re subject to higher premiums or denial of coverage entirely.

Special Enrollment Periods

Some major life changes, like moving into a new coverage area or transferring to or from a care facility, are qualifying life events for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP). An SEP allows you to enroll or make changes to your coverage outside of the standard enrollment periods. Our licensed insurance agents can help determine your eligibility for a Special Enrollment Period.

How Can I Compare Plans?

Our goal is to help you find the coverage that’s right for you. You can compare plans online and enroll by using the form below or by speaking to one of our licensed insurance agents. Call us today to speak to a licensed insurance agent.

Additional Medicare Resources in Kansas

The Senior Health Insurance Counseling for Kansas (SHICK) provides free, confidential, and unbiased counseling and resources for Medicare beneficiaries, representatives, and persons aging into Medicare.

The Medicare Savings Program offers financial assistance to Medicare beneficiaries in Kansas whose income falls below a certain level to help pay for medical expenses, like premiums and deductibles.

Sources: Medicare.gov; www.kdads.ks.gov; www.kdheks.gov