Medicare Advantage Plans in Kansas

When you’re shopping for a Medicare Advantage plan in Kansas, the costs and availability of Medicare Advantage plans will vary based on where you live. Still, Medicare Advantage is private health insurance that offers all the coverage of Original Medicare. Most Medicare Advantage plans provide additional services like fitness programs and prescription drug coverage. However, before enrolling in a Medicare Advantage plan in Kansas, you must be enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B.

Keep reading to learn more about Medicare Advantage plans in Kansas.

Medicare Advantage, also called Part C, is available to anyone who qualifies for Original Medicare and is required to provide at least the same coverages as Parts A and B. In 2022, 88 Medicare Advantage plans are being offered in Kansas. However, not every plan is available in every part of the state. Availability depends on the insurance company offering the plan and where you live.

All Medicare coverage and plans provide Part A and Part B benefits as a foundation. Medicare Part A covers inpatient services you receive in the hospital or nursing home. Medicare Part B covers outpatient care, which can include wellness visits, examinations in your doctor’s office and medically necessary therapy sessions.

While Medicare Parts A and B cover these general areas of care, Medicare prescription drug plan — Part D — is an optional add-on. Some Medicare Advantage plans may include Part D coverage and other services, including:

• dental care
• hearing aids
• medical transportation
• lab testing
• home medical equipment and supplies

The federal government determines eligibility rules and what Medicare Advantage plans can include, but different states may have additional restrictions, too.

The cost of Medicare Advantage plans in Kansas varies based on where you live and what coverage you want to have included. You can find plans in your area by entering your zip code at Medicare.gov, or you contact GoHealth. Our licensed insurance agents will research your options and offer the impartial guidance you need.

If you’re comparing Medicare Advantage plans to Original Medicare, you’ll notice the difference in cost. The average monthly premium for a Medicare Advantage plan in Kansas is $7.79 in 2022. Some people may also qualify for a $0-per-month premium. In Kansas, 100% of people with Medicare are eligible for a plan with a no-cost premium. If you’re looking for lower monthly premium costs, you may want to consider a Medicare Advantage plan.

Your costs will also depend on rules set by your plan. Many Medicare Advantage plans require you to receive care within a particular network of providers to receive the maximum coverage for your healthcare services.

The federal government sets Medicare Advantage eligibility since Medicare is a federal public health insurance program.

Medicare is available to:

• people who are over age 65.
• people with end-stage renal disease.
• people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
• people with disabilities who qualify for Social Security.

In addition to specific eligibility rules, Medicare also has set periods when you can enroll. You can sign up for Medicare during the month you turn 65, as well as the three months before and after. You can also enroll after you have been receiving disability benefits from the Social Security Administration for at least 24 months, regardless of your age.

Whether you opt to enroll in Original Medicare and add a Part D prescription plan (you can also add Medigap) or choose a Medicare Advantage plan with prescription coverage, it’s usually a good idea to start prescription drug coverage immediately. If you wait to sign up for a Part D plan, a late-enrollment penalty may be added to your Medicare premium for the rest of your life — a penalty based on how long you were eligible for a prescription plan but chose not to enroll.

To avoid penalties and get the most from Medicare benefits, here are important dates to remember for Medicare Advantage enrollment:

• Medicare’s Open Enrollment Period for all Medicare coverage: October 15-December 7
• Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment: January 1-March 31

Special Enrollment Periods are also available based on certain life events. These can include changes to your eligibility, moving and losing other coverage.

Whether or not you include prescription drug coverage in your Medicare Advantage plan is up to you. Most plans offer options with and without drug coverage.

Without a Part D plan added to your Medicare Advantage coverage, you should expect to pay the entire cost of your outpatient prescription medications. You may enroll in a plan with prescription drug coverage (or Part D) at certain times each year — but if you don’t sign up when you are first eligible, you will have to pay a penalty for the rest of your life. This penalty will be added to your regular monthly premium.