Medicare in Kansas
Key Takeaways
- Medicare in Kansas is health insurance for all legal U.S. citizens aged 65 and older. It’s a federal program that’s partially funded by taxes.
- Original Medicare’sOriginal Medicare is a fee-for-service health insurance program available to Americans aged 65 and older and some individuals with disabilities. Original Medicare is provided by the federal government and is made up of two parts: Part A (hospital insurance) and Part B (medical insurance). Parts A and B help cover hospital, medical and preventive costs. Medicare AdvantageMedicare Advantage (Medicare Part C) is health insurance for Americans aged 65 and older that blends Medicare benefits with private health insurance. This typically includes a bundle of Original Medicare (Parts A and B) and Medicare Prescription Drug Plan (Part D). in Kansas replaces Original Medicare but offers the same Part A and B benefits. It also often includes other services like prescription drug coverage (otherwise known as Part DMedicare Part D is prescription drug coverage for people enrolled in Medicare. Part D is optional and is offered by private insurance companies. ).
- The price of Medicare in Kansas is based on standardized costs but is adjusted based on personal details, including income and work history.
Whether you’re in the Great Plains, Kansas City, or anywhere between, making sure you get the most out of your health care is part of living in The Sunflower State. When you’re 65 or older, that usually means enrolling in Medicare in Kansas.
If you’re approaching 65 or already there, it’s essential to answer some crucial questions. What is Medicare? How much does it cost? Can you enroll in Medicare Advantage in Kansas?
To help find the answers you need, here is GoHealth’s guide to Medicare in Kansas.
How Do I Sign Up for Medicare in Kansas?
There are several ways to sign up for Medicare in Kansas, including:
- By calling the Social Security Administration (SSA) at 1-800-772-1213
- Online through the SSA website
- At a nearby SSA office
Find the Medicare Plan that works for you.
What Conditions Qualify for Medicare?
Generally, Medicare plans in Kansas are for individuals aged 65 and older who are U.S. citizens or have been in the country for five or more years. You may qualify for Medicare if you’re younger than 65 and:
- You’re living with End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) or Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
- You’ve drawn benefits from the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB), or disability-based Social Security benefits, for 24 months
Is Medicare Required When You Turn 65?
You are not required to enroll in Medicare in Kansas when you turn 65. You may be able to delay your Medicare initial enrollment if you or your spouse are working and receive health insurance through that employer’s plan when you turn 65. If so, a Special Enrollment Period will open when that coverage ends.
If you don’t have coverage, enrolling on time can save you a headache in the long run. The Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) exists for first-time enrollees.
Some individuals are automatically enrolled into Medicare Parts A&B. If you aren’t, missing your IEP could mean some steep enrollment penalties when you sign up. By neglecting your IEP, you may have to pay more for:
- Medicare Part A
- Medicare Part B
- Medicare Prescription Drug Plan (Part D)
When to Enroll in Medicare in Kansas
Whether you want to sign up, change or drop your coverage, there are specific Medicare enrollment periods you’ll want to know. Want to keep up-to-date on your Medicare in Kansas? Circle these dates:
Initial Enrollment Period (IEP)
This seven-month window includes your birth month, plus the three months before and after. However, for those born on the first of the month, your IEP window starts four months before your birth month and ends two months after. If your birthday is June 2-30, your IEP opens on Mar. 1 and closes on Sept. 30. Discover when is your Medicare initial enrollment with our date checker.
Medicare Part C & D Annual Enrollment Period
Medicare beneficiaries in Kansas can enroll in Medicare Advantage plans or drug plans. The Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) is from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7 each year.
Medicare General Enrollment Period
If you missed your IEP and didn’t qualify for a Special Enrollment Period, your first chance is held each year from Jan. 1 to Mar. 31.
Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period
Beneficiaries who were enrolled in a Medicare Advantage on January 1st can swap Part C plans or switch back to Original Medicare from Jan. 1 to March. 31.
Find the Medicare Plan that works for you.
What Are the Qualifications for Medicaid in Kansas?
Medicaid is not the same as Medicare. Medicaid assists low-income children, adults, and families. Eligibility for Medicaid in Kansas is based on several requirements, including income, household size, and more.
Do Seniors Have to Pay for Medicare?
Most seniors will have to pay something for their Medicare. There’s a popular misconception that you can get Medicare at no cost when you turn 65. The root of this Medicare myth is that many people qualify for certain parts of Medicare at no cost if they meet specific requirements. The reality is that there are various costs and other factors that will determine how much you’ll end up paying for Medicare in Kansas.
To help you budget, here’s what you can expect to pay in 2024:
Medicare Part A
Premium:
- Typically $0 if you or your spouse worked 10 or more years
- You or your spouse worked between 7.5 and 10 years: $278 a month
- You or your spouse worked fewer than 7.5 years: $505 a month
- $1,632 each plan period
- Hospital stays: $0 copay for Days 1-60 following deductible payment; Days 61 and after: daily charges
- Skilled Nursing Facility: $0 Days 1-20 each plan period; daily charges for Days 21 and after
Medicare Part B
Premium:
- $174.70 monthly and up (income-based)
- $240 for each plan period
- Most preventative services: $0
- Medicare-approved services: 20% coinsurance
Medicare Part D
Premium:
- Varies by plan and can be Income-based
- Not to exceed $545 in 2024
- Based on specific plans and drugs
What Are the Different Medicare Plans Available?
There are two main ways to receive Medicare in Kansas: Original Medicare or Medicare Advantage. Here’s an overview of how they work:
Original Medicare (Parts A and B)
With Parts A and B, you get coverage for inpatient hospital care as well as medically necessary or preventive services. You can see any doctor that accepts Medicare, but you’ll need separate policies for dental, hearing, vision, and prescription drugs.
Medicare Advantage (Part C)
Part C substitutes for Original Medicare (Part A & B), offering the same coverage. Along with Part A and B benefits, Medicare Part C often bundles additional services like dental, hearing, vision, and prescription drug coverage.
If you have Original Medicare in Kansas, there are ways to cover some of those out-of-pocket costs and get needed services that aren’t covered. To do so, you’ll want to learn more about Medicare Prescription Drug Plan (Part D) and Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap). Here’s how they work:
Medicare Prescription Drug Plan (Part D)
Part D is a standalone prescription drug policy sold by private health insurance companies. You’ll need to add Part D separately if you have Original Medicare; Medicare Advantage in Kansas often includes Part D coverage.
Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap)
Another resource for Original Medicare in Kansas, Medigap helps pay for copays, coinsurance and deductibles associated with Parts A and B. Like Part D, Medigap is sold by private insurers and must be purchased separately.
Find the Medicare Plan that works for you.
What Is the Most Common Medicare Supplement Plan?
The truth is — popularity doesn’t matter when it comes to which Medigap plan you choose. It’s much more important to understand details such as:
As an overview, Medigap is a group of policies that provide different levels of coverage. Some offer a little financial support. Others cover almost all your out-of-pocket costs for Original Medicare in Kansas. To see which Medigap plans are available in your area, give GoHealth a call. Our licensed insurance agents will listen to your needs and see which Medicare Supplement policies can bridge the gap between what you get from Original Medicare and what you need.What Is the Downside to Medicare Advantage Plans?
The answer here really depends on you; what others consider a downside may not factor into your decision. To give you a better idea of what both Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage have to offer, here are some resources:
- Medicare Star Ratings: see what other policyholders think of their plans
- Pros & Cons: See how Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage stack up
- FAQs: See what others are asking about Medicare
- HMOs vs. PPOs: See Medicare Advantage options and how they work
- Medicare Myths: Clear up any confusion about Medicare
- Talk to an agent: At GoHealth, our licensed insurance agents will offer impartial guidance and honest answers you need
Thousands of older adults enroll in Medicare every day across the United States. The latest CMS data shows that 517,825 people are enrolled in Medicare Part A and B in Kansas. The total number of beneficiaries enrolled in Medicare Advantage increased from 106,411 to 123,699 year over year. Medicare Advantage participation in Kansas went from 21.01% to 23.89% year over year. If you’d like to dive deeper into how Medicare in Kansas breaks down across the state, we provide a glance at who is using Medicare and how.
517,825 Beneficiaries with Part A & Part B
123,699 Medicare Advantage Beneficiaries
23.89% Medicare Advantage Participation Rate
54.93% Female
45.07% Male
90.03% Non-Hispanic White
3.21% African American
3.19% Hispanic
3.58% Other/Unknown
12.19% Eligible for Medicaid
0.94 Average HCC Score
$10,077.92 Actual Per Capita Costs
16.02% Hospital Readmission Rate
27.25% % of Beneficiaries with an Emergency Department Visit
106,411 Medicare Advantage Beneficiaries, Previous Year
Increased Medicare Advantage, Year over year
21.01% Medicare Advantage Participation Rate, Previous Year
Table reflects the latest Beneficiary Demographics Data: Medicare Geographic Variation – by National, State & County
Average HCC Score: The Hierarchical Condition Category score gauges a population’s overall health. The score is based on a value of 1.0. Populations with an HCC score of less than 1.0 are considered relatively healthy. The score can be used to estimate health costs.
Kansas Insurance Department
https://insurance.kansas.gov/
What should I know about the Kansas Insurance Department?
Find info on health insurance in your local market, file complaints
Kansas Medicaid (KanCare)
https://www.kancare.ks.gov/home
What should I know about Kansas Medicaid?
State-funded health insurance for Kansas that meet specific requirements, including income and resources.
Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services
https://kdads.ks.gov/kdads-commissions/aging-services
What should I know about the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services?
Need help paying for Part D? Connect with the Senior Health Insurance Counseling for Kansas (SCHICK) through the Commission on Aging
Kansas Commission on Veterans Affairs Office
1-800-273-8255 (24-hour emotional crisis help)
https://kcva.ks.gov/
What should I know about the Kansas Commission on Veterans Affairs Office?
Get help filing claims for VA benefits, including education, pension, and more
Nationwide Resources
Speak with a GoHealth insurance agent that is licensed in Kansas about your Medicare questions.
Mon – Fri, 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. CT
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
You can reach the Social Security Administration by phone for general questions. Not all questions can be answered over the phone.
Also, SSA.gov provides online resources for the following: Review information, apply for benefits, or manage your account online
1-800-722-1213
TTY 1-800-325-0778
Speak to SSA Representative, Monday – Friday, 8 AM – 7 PM ET
Medicare Learning Guides
Healthcare is personal. So is choosing insurance. If you are new to Medicare, a beneficiary researching options, or a caregiver, we have tailored Medicare Guides for you.
Before 65 Guide
Understanding health insurance before age 65, especially when considering early retirement
Medicare Plans Guide
Costs, coverage and enrollment details for each Medicare plan
Medicare Beneficiary Guide
For those currently enrolled in Medicare
Low Income and Medicare Guide
For individuals with a qualifying income status
A Caregiver's Guide
For individuals with a qualifying income status
Sources
- Medicare Benefits. SSA.gov.
- Social Security Office Locator. SSA.gov.
This website is operated by GoHealth, LLC., a licensed health insurance company. The website and its contents are for informational and educational purposes; helping people understand Medicare in a simple way. The purpose of this website is the solicitation of insurance. Contact will be made by a licensed insurance agent/producer or insurance company. Medicare Supplement insurance plans are not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program. Our mission is to help every American get better health insurance and save money.
Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.