KanCare Renewal Process for Medicare Savings Programs
Two Ways Kansas Renews MSP Coverage
Kansas renews Medicare Savings Program eligibility once a year. The KanCare Clearinghouse tries to do it without paperwork first — and only asks you for documents if it cannot.
Passive renewal (KC-1700): The Clearinghouse pulls income and asset data electronically from Social Security, state wage files, and other federal data feeds. If everything confirms continued eligibility, the enrollee receives Form KC-1700 — an approval notice stating coverage continues for another 12 months. No action required.
Active renewal (KC-1600): When electronic data is incomplete, the Clearinghouse mails Form KC-1600 (Pre-Populated Elderly and Disabled Review). It arrives with the enrollee's information already printed. The enrollee or their KC-6100 representative reviews the data, corrects anything that changed, attaches current bank statements, signs, and returns it within 30 calendar days.
What Happens If the Deadline Is Missed
If the KC-1600 is not returned in time, the Clearinghouse sends a Notice of Action terminating coverage. Part B premium deductions restart from the enrollee's Social Security check, and QMB cost-sharing protections stop.
Two recovery paths exist:
90-day reconsideration window: If the completed KC-1600 and supporting documents arrive within 90 days of termination, the Clearinghouse reevaluates eligibility without requiring a new KC-1500 application. For LMB, this can reinstate coverage retroactively to close the gap.
33-day fair hearing: A Request for State Fair Hearing must reach the Kansas Office of Administrative Hearings within 33 calendar days of the notice date to preserve appeal rights. To keep benefits active during the appeal, submit the hearing request before the effective termination date or within 15 calendar days of the notice date, whichever is later.
Common Renewal Problems
Income increased slightly: January's Social Security COLA raises gross income, but updated Federal Poverty Guidelines typically do not take effect in Kansas until March 1. Federal law requires Kansas to disregard the COLA increase during January and February, so a small COLA should not trigger a denial before the new limits are in place.
Bank balance spiked: A retroactive Social Security adjustment (common after the Social Security Fairness Act repealed WEP/GPO) counts as income only in the month received. Unspent balance converts to a countable resource the following month. If the balance exceeds the applicable resource limit, acting within the month of receipt — funding an irrevocable funeral agreement, setting aside up to $1,500 in an eligible burial fund, or making needed repairs to an exempt home or vehicle — can bring countable resources within the limit before the next month's snapshot.
No KC-1600 or KC-1700 arrived: Contact the Clearinghouse at 1-800-792-4884 to confirm the renewal status. If a KC-6100 medical representative is on file, confirm they are authorized to receive copies of notices and that the address on file is current.
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Keeping Renewal Smooth
Renewals fail most often because documents are late or incomplete. The Kansas Medicare Savings Programs & Extra Help Guide includes a renewal preparation checklist and a notice response tracker to keep deadlines visible — especially when an adult child is managing paperwork for a parent from out of town.
SHICK counselors (1-800-860-5260) can also help interpret renewal notices and verify whether an income increase actually disqualifies the enrollee.
Get Your Free Kansas — Medicare Savings Program Eligibility Checklist
Download the Kansas — Medicare Savings Program Eligibility Checklist — a printable guide with checklists, scripts, and action plans you can start using today.