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Kansas Medicare Guide

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Learn what you need to know about Medicare in Kansas to make the right decisions and get the best value out of Medicare.


Use this table of contents to jump to specific sections:


A Snapshot of Medicare in Kansas

Kansas has 556,000 residents on Medicare, making up 19% of the state’s population. The majority of Kansas Medicare beneficiaries are on Medicare due to age, but about 12% are on Medicare due to disability. 12% of all Kansas Medicare recipients are also on Medicaid. 75% of Kansas Medicare beneficiaries choose to remain on Original Medicare and 25% choose to move to a Medicare Advantage plan.


Kansas Medicare Eligibility and Enrollment Steps

All US citizens who meet one of the following requirements are eligible for Medicare:

  • You’re 65 or older

  • You have certain disabilities like ALS and End-Stage Kidney Disease


Medicare Enrollment Steps


1. Enroll in Original Medicare (Part A & Part B) 

For those who age into Medicare, you can enroll as soon as you’re in your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP). Your IEP is a seven-month window unique to your birth month. It starts three months before the month you turn 65 and ends three months after. If you continue working after 65, you may choose to delay your Part B enrollment. Learn more about when you should enroll in Medicare here.


2. Compare additional coverage options

Medicare beneficiaries can either stay on Original Medicare or enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan. If you stay on Original Medicare, you can add a Medigap plan to help cover the 20% of costs that Medicare doesn’t pay. You can also enroll in a separate prescription drug plan (Part D). If you enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan, your out-of-pocket costs will be higher than with Medigap, but all of your insurance, including Part A, Part B, and often Part D will be bundled together. This is an important choice, and we’ll dive into the pros and cons of Medicare Advantage and Original Medicare + Medigap later on.


3. Set yourself up for success

When your plan is effective, you should schedule doctor appointments, share your new insurance information with your pharmacy, and set up insurance carrier portals and any additional benefits that may come with your insurance. You should also review your Part D and Medicare Advantage plans every year to make sure they still fit your needs best. If not, you can switch Medicare plans during the Open Enrollment Period that occurs every year from October 15 - December 7. 


Kansas Medicare Advantage Plans

There are 75 Medicare Advantage plans available in Kansas. Your specific pricing and availability will depend on the county you live in. For example, Johnson County has 41 Medicare Advantage plans with monthly premiums ranging from $0 to $197 and Sedgwick County has 32 plans with premiums ranging from $0 to $131 (in 2023).


Advantage plans must provide at least the same coverage as Original Medicare, and often provide additional benefits with no (or low) additional premiums. Medicare Advantage plan benefits may include:


These extras are enticing, so why doesn’t everyone switch to Medicare Advantage? These plans also have their cons, including:

  • Network limitations

  • Frequent preauthorization requirements

  • Higher out-of-pocket costs (compared Original Medicare + Medigap)


To hear about and compare pricing and benefits for Medicare Advantage plans available in your county, give us a call at (888) 604-0055 or schedule a free consultation with one of our licensed Kansas Medicare Advisors.


Kansas Medicare Supplement Plans

Across the US, Medicare beneficiaries have access to ten different types of Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plans. Each plan of the same letter (e.g., all Medigap Plan Ns) are the same, but pricing may vary from one insurance carrier to another. 


Many Kansas Medicare beneficiaries on Original Medicare add a Medigap plan to help cover the 20% of costs that Original Medicare doesn’t pay. These plans significantly reduce your out-of-pocket costs! In the case of Plan G, you don’t owe anything for covered services once you’ve met your Part B deductible. Compared to Medicare Advantage plans, Medigap plans have some key benefits:

  • You can see any doctor that accepts Medicare (about 90% of doctors nationwide)

  • You don’t need prior authorization for covered services

  • Your out-of-pocket costs are significantly reduced


The best time to enroll in a Medigap plan is during the Medigap Open Enrollment Period. This period lasts for six months after your Part B effective date. This is the best time to enroll because you have a guarantee issue right. This means you are guaranteed acceptance into any Medigap plan, regardless of your health history. Outside of this time, unless you meet the criteria for a handful of other guaranteed issue rights, insurance companies can ask you questions about your health history and deny your application for a Medigap plan. 


Kansas Part D Plans

Medicare Part D (prescription drug coverage) exists because Original Medicare does not provide prescription drug coverage. Medicare beneficiaries can receive Part D benefits by either enrolling in a Medicare Advantage plan that includes them or enrolling in a stand-alone drug plan. There are 22 stand-alone Part D plans available in Kansas, with an average monthly premium of $33.37 (the 4th lowest average in the country). Your specific plan pricing and availability is determined by your county of residence.


Even if you don’t currently need prescription coverage, we generally recommend enrolling in a low-cost drug plan to avoid the Part D enrollment penalty. 


If you have questions about your Medicare options or want to compare plan benefits and pricing, schedule a free consultation with one of our licensed Kansas Medicare Advisors or give us a call at (888) 604-0055. 


Get help paying for Medicare in Kansas

There are three government programs that can help those with low incomes and resources pay for health-related services. 


Kansas Medicaid

Medicaid is a government-funded healthcare program in the United States that provides medical coverage to low-income individuals and families, offering a range of essential health services and benefits. Medicaid is a joint federal and state program that is managed by each state.


The Kansas Medicaid program is called KanCare. KanCare has a specific application process for elderly persons and persons with a disability. You can find the application here.


Kansas Medicare Savings Programs

In addition to KanCare, Kansas Medicare beneficiaries may be eligible for Kansas Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs). These programs help Medicare beneficiaries with low income and resources to pay their Medicare premiums, copays, and deductibles. Even if your income and resources are above the limits for other programs, you should still apply for Medciare Savings Programs. There are  three types of Medicare Savings Programs in Kansas:

  • The Qualified Medicare Beneficiary Program (QMB) pays for beneficiaries’ Part A, B, and D premiums, copayments, and deductibles.

  • The Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary Program (LMB) pays for your monthly Medicare Part B and Part D premiums.

  • The Expanded Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary Program (ELMB) pays for your monthly Medicare Part B and Part D premiums.


Learn more about the eligibility requirements and application instructions here.


Medicare Extra Help

If you have limited income and resources, you may be eligible for Extra Help. Extra Help is a federal program that helps pay for costs associated with prescription drug coverage, including premiums, deductibles, and coinsurance.


You automatically qualify for Extra Help if you:

  • Receive full Medicaid coverage from Kansas

  • Kansas pays your Part B premium

  • Are eligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI)


If you don’t automatically qualify for Extra Help, you may still qualify. Get help from one of our licensed Kansas Medicare Advisors to see if you qualify.


Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Benefits

Eligible US citizens receive monthly payments from the SSI program. You’re considered eligible if you meet the following criteria:


You can apply for SSI Benefits online or by calling 1-800-772-1213 / TTY 1-800-325-0778.