SHICK Kansas — Free Medicare Counseling and How to Reach Them

What SHICK Does

SHICK — Senior Health Insurance Counseling for Kansas — is the state's official Medicare counseling program, run through the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS). Every state has a version (called SHIP nationally), but Kansas's program goes by SHICK.

SHICK counselors are trained volunteers who provide free, unbiased one-on-one help with Medicare decisions. They do not sell insurance, and they are not affiliated with any plan or broker. Their core services:

• Comparing Medicare Advantage and Medigap plans during Open Enrollment
• Explaining Part D drug plan options and helping with enrollment
• Walking through eligibility for the Medicare Savings Programs (QMB, LMB, ELMB) and Extra Help
• Answering questions about Medicare billing, appeals, and coverage denials
• Helping with Part B late enrollment penalty questions

How to Contact SHICK

Phone: 1-800-860-5260 (statewide toll-free)

SHICK counselors operate through regional Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) across Kansas. Availability varies by region, particularly in rural and western Kansas; call the main number to find a local counselor and ask about meeting options.

When SHICK Is Busiest

Counselor availability tightens during Medicare's Fall Open Enrollment period (October 15 through December 7). If your parent needs help comparing Part D or Medicare Advantage plans, calling in late September or early October avoids the worst of the wait.

For Medicare Savings Program questions, timing is less constrained — MSP applications are accepted year-round. But if your parent lacks premium-free Part A and needs the Group Payer conditional enrollment path, that window is January 1 through March 31 only. SHICK counselors understand this Kansas-specific process and can help coordinate with the local Social Security office.

What SHICK Does Not Do

SHICK counselors focus on Medicare coverage and enrollment guidance; the KanCare Clearinghouse handles MSP applications and case decisions. For a structured walkthrough of the Kansas MSP application — including document checklists, KC-1500 form guidance, and the Clearinghouse submission process — the Kansas Medicare Savings Programs & Extra Help Guide is designed to fill that gap.

If your parent faces a denial, appeal, or legal issue, Kansas Legal Services (1-800-723-6953) provides free legal representation for low-income seniors.

Using SHICK and a Guide Together

The most efficient approach: use the guide to organize documents, calculate income, and prepare the KC-1500 before meeting with a SHICK counselor. The counselor verifies plan decisions, and the guide keeps the paperwork on track through the Clearinghouse processing window. They solve different parts of the same problem.

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