It is Medicare Open Enrollment time! From now until December 7, Medicare-aged individuals can choose their benefits for the coming year. Are you confused yet?
Whether new to the Medicare system, or an established enrollee, it can be difficult to navigate the piles of information available to choose the plan right for everyone. That is why SHICK is so important.
Senior Health Insurance Counseling for Kansas (SHICK) is a free program offering Kansans an opportunity to talk face-to-face with trained, community volunteers and get answers to questions about Medicare and other insurance issues. SHICK provides you with many resources that will help you with your questions about Medicare.
People with Medicare often have questions about health insurance but frequently have limited resources to obtain objective information.
SHICK has counselors throughout the state who can assist people to stay informed on changing conditions in health care insurance and to cut through the confusion. SHICK counselors receive training on Medicare, Medicare Supplement Insurance, Long-Term Care and other health insurance subjects that concern older Kansans. SHICK counsel ors do not work for any insurance company. The goal is to educate and assist the public to make informed decisions on what’s best for them.
SHICK counseling is free, unbiased, confidential and available to anyone with questions about Medicare.
Counselors are prepared to assist with claims and appeals, fraud, prescription drug plans, Medicare Advantage plans, Supplemental insurance (Medigap), employer group plans as supplemental insurance, Medicaid, other health insurance options, long-term care options, Medicare Savings programs, and Extra Help with prescription drug plans.
Cora Wiebke, a longterm employee of Lincoln County Hospital has recently become SHICK certified to help Medicare age individuals navigate through their insurance options. This is a free service to the public.
The Lincoln County Council on Aging has sponsored free rides to and from the hospital for those in need of transportation. We encourage patients to reach out to Cora for a free consultation at 785-524-4403 X 256 before making a decision on their Medicare options.
