Assisted living facilities primarily help residents with non-medical needs. Although minor and infrequent medical services, such as first-aid for a wound, can sometimes be met on-site by nurses. These communities may sometimes also be called ALFs, residential care facilities, retirement homes, or long-term care facilities.
The financial options available to help pay for senior care is dependent on, among other things, the type of care that is required. If you are just beginning the research process on how to pay for long-term care, it is helpful to have an idea about the type of care you or your loved one currently requires, as well as to anticipate future needs. In addition, it is important to be familiar with the associated eldercare terminology.
Can using home care technology help your family save money caring for an aging loved one? The answer is most certainly “Yes”. Our goal is not to provide a comprehensive list, but rather to make sense of those that are available on the market today and can reduce the care hours required by elderly persons. As such, they can reduce a family’s out-of-pocket care costs or reduce the hours they spend providing care themselves.
Medicare Advantage (Part C), a privately offered alternative to Original Medicare (Parts A and B), has grown in popularity over the years. Despite the growing popularity of Medicare Advantage, some seniors face obstacles that prevent them from truly understanding how it works and who it benefits. Common mistakes about Medicare Advantage include misunderstanding its differences from Original Medicare, getting it confused with other forms of private Medicare insurance (like Medigap or Part D), or not understanding how to look up or evaluate plans.
The federal government provides Original Medicare to seniors aged 65 or older and individuals with certain disabilities under age 65. However, recipients may opt for a Medicare Advantage plan instead. MA plans, often referred to as Medicare Part C, offer an alternate way to get Medicare Part A and Part B benefits. Private insurance companies sell these plans, which are backed by the federal government and bound by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services rules.
Medicare Advantage (MA) plans must include the same coverage as Original Medicare, but most plans offer other health-related services. While Original Medicare doesn’t have prescription drug coverage unless beneficiaries purchase a separate Part D plan, most Medicare Advantage plans bundle drug coverage. MA plans also frequently include perks such as senior fitness memberships and routine hearing, vision and dental exams. These plans usually require an in-network health care provider. In contrast, Original Medicare beneficiaries can see any provider anywhere in the country who accepts Medicare.
Every state offers Medicare Advantage plans, including Kansas. More than 540,000 Kansas residents were eligible for Medicare in 2020. About 20% chose a Medicare Advantage plan, well below the national average of 38%. Although the penetration of MA plan holders jumped to 24% in Kansas in 2021, this percentage remained relatively low compared to the 26 states, with 40% or more of their Medicare beneficiaries enrolled In Medicare Advantage plans. By 2022, Kansas had 88 Medicare Advantage plans available compared to 79 in 2021, and the average monthly MA plan premium had dropped from $9.53 to $7.79.
This guide offers an overview of Medicare Advantage plans in Kansas, including what’s covered and how these plans work compared to Original Medicare. It also includes eligibility requirements and how beneficiaries can find plans in their area.
The Top 10 Medicare Advantage Plans in Kansas
Medicare beneficiaries have several different types of Medicare Advantage plans to choose from in Kansas, with an array of providers serving the state. The table below provides a breakdown of the top 10 most popular Medicare Advantage providers in Kansas by enrollment. For each provider, the table combines enrollment numbers to offer the total enrollment for each one. Because most providers offer multiple plans, the table presents cost information as a range instead of providing an average price. Plan information was accurate as of April 2022, but beneficiaries may go to Medicare.gov to get the most recent information on the plans available in their area.
Name
Total Enrollment
Star Rating
Min Cost
Max Cost
Plan Types
UnitedHealthcare
55,931
3.5
$0
$199
HMO, PPO, PFFS
Aetna Medicare
42,643
4
$0
$0
HMO, PPO
Humana
34,683
3.5
$0
$132
HMO, PPO, PFFS
Blue Medicare Advantage
9,946
4
$0
$0
HMO, PPO
Wellcare by Allwell
3,762
3
$0
$286
HMO, PPO
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas
3,012
3.5
$0
$50
PPO
Ascension Complete
1,926
0
$0
$0
HMO, PPO
Highmark Inc.
1,884
0
$0
$0
PPO
Cigna
899
3.5
$0
$0
HMO, PPO
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan
53
0
$0
$0
PPO
How Medicare Advantage Plans Work in Kansas
The two most popular types of Medicare Advantage plans are from health maintenance organizations (HMOs) or preferred provider organizations (PPOs), but Kansas has other types of plans available as well. Each plan type has specific parameters covering networks, drug coverage, primary care providers and other coverage-related details. Before enrolling, beneficiaries should compare their options and ensure they know how each MA plan works to make an informed decision regarding their health coverage. The descriptions below cover the most common plans to provide essential information and help with this decision.
What Medicare Advantage Plans Cover in Kansas
Medicare Advantage plans in Kansas must include the same coverage as Original Medicare. Hence, beneficiaries get the same Medicare Part A hospital insurance and Medicare Part B medical insurance coverage, except hospice care which remains covered under Original Medicare. Many MA plans also bundle Medicare Part D and various additional benefits to make them an all-in-one solution. Extra benefits may include hearing aids, dental and vision care, rides to medical appointments and wellness programs.
Coverage Available With Medicare Parts A & B?
Coverage Available With Medicare Advantage?
Preventive Screenings
Yes
Yes
Hospital Care
Yes
Yes
Durable Medical Equipment
Yes
Yes
Prescription Drugs
No
Yes**
Vision Care
No
Yes*
Dental Care
No
Yes*
Hearing Aids
No
Yes*
*Select plans offer this coverage
** Most plans offer this coverage
Eligibility for Medicare Advantage in Kansas
Because Medicare Advantage is an alternative to Original Medicare, beneficiaries must follow the same eligibility rules. Therefore, recipients must be aged 65 or older or have a qualifying disability to be eligible for Medicare Advantage in Kansas. Applicants also can qualify if they’ve been diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s disease or end-stage renal disease, a medical condition that causes the kidneys to quit working permanently.
All applicants must have Medicare Parts A and B and be U.S. citizens or qualified noncitizens. To sign up for specific Medicare Advantage plans, the applicant must reside in an area serviced by the desired plan. Some plans like Special Needs Plans have additional eligibility requirements. Approved beneficiaries can only join or switch to an MA plan during one of the approved enrollment periods listed below.
Initial Coverage Election Period: This is the initial 7-month period, coinciding with one’s 65th birthday, during which everyone is eligible to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan.
Annual Election Period (AEP): Also referred to as the Open Enrollment Period, this the time of year when anyone over 65 can enroll in Medicare Advantage for the first time or change to a new plan.
Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period: During this period, those who are already enrolled in Medicare Advantage can switch to a different plan or switch back to Original Medicare.
Start Date
End Date
Initial Coverage Election Period
3 Months Before One’s 65th Birth Month
3 Months After One’s 65th Birth Month
Annual Election Period (AEP)
October 15th
December 7th
Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period
January 1st
March 31st
Additionally, Medicare Advantage plan participants can change their plan outside of these enrollment periods under certain qualifying circumstances, such as moving to a new state.
How to Find & Choose a Medicare Advantage Plan in Kansas
Navigating the many intricacies of Medicare Advantage plan types, insurers, and the specific plan options available by region can be a difficult and time-consuming task. Below are several resources we’ve created to help you through the process.
First is a downloadable PDF that you can use as a guide to help you compare plans as you research. Finally, we have listed a number of organizations that you can contact with experts that will help you determine whether Medicare Advantage is right for you and what plans you should consider.
Free for seniors living within the state, the Senior Health Insurance Counseling for Kansas (SHICK) program connects individuals with trained volunteers within the community who can provide answers to questions about Medicare and other insurance-related issues. There are volunteers located throughout many communities who educate and help seniors choose which insurance plan best suits their needs, including choosing how much insurance is needed, the type of coverage they should have and understanding the cost of premiums. This one-on-one counseling is available free of charge both on the phone or in-person. The organization also provides information through public forums, presentations and through printed materials.
To locate the nearest SHICK program, or to speak to someone about what services are available, call 1-800-860-5260. You can also search for the nearest county office at the Kansas Commission on Aging website.
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment helps seniors determine their eligibility for Medicare and other programs and protects the rights of each consumer. The organization website also includes policy memos concerning long-term care, VA benefits and any eligibility changes as they are updated.
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment is located in Topeka and can be reached by phone at (785) 296-1500, or through email at [email protected].
Seniors in Kansas who are enrolled in Medicare and have limited incomes may receive help with out-of-pocket insurance costs through a Kansas Medicare Savings Program. These programs may help with insurance premiums, deductibles and copayments. Available savings programs include the Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB), Low Income Medicare Beneficiary (LMB) and Expanded Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (ELMB), which can all lower the cost of Medicare premiums and cost-sharing expenses. To qualify, seniors must be 65 and older and currently receiving Medicare.
To learn about eligibility, seniors should contact the KanCare Clearinghouse in Topeka at 1-800-792-4884. They can also download an application online and fax it to 1-844-264-6285.
The Kansas Senior Medicare Patrol helps prevent Medicare abuse and fraud throughout the state and educates recipients on how to protect against identity theft and health care fraud. The program trains volunteers, helps seniors file reports and provides publications and information about fraud warnings. The program is free to all seniors who are applying for or currently enrolled in Medicare.
To learn more about Medicare fraud in Kansas or to sign up as a volunteer, contact the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services at 1-800-432-3535.
Local Medicare Advantage Resources
Aging and Disability Resource Center
The Kansas Aging and Disability Resource Centers (ADRCs) help individuals of all ages, including seniors, plan for their future and long-term health needs. The organization provides counseling and a list of resources about Medicare and other insurance-related issues, including prescription drug coverage. Through local community offices, the resource centers can also guide seniors through their options and connect them with the available support services.
The KCMPA is the only accountable care organization in the state of Kansas that participates in the Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP). This organization is comprised of 12 primary care practices in Kansas and Missouri that helps keep medical costs low for seniors with limited incomes.
To learn more about which physicians participate in the MSSP, contact the organization at 1-816-673-9061.
Kansas Area Agency on Aging
The Kansas Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) provide seniors with information and options counseling on Medicare. This assistance is available for free to seniors of all income levels and includes information about the best type of insurance to pay for nursing home care, caregivers and assisted living.
There are 11 AAAs located throughout the state serving specific counties. To find the nearest agency, call 1-913-573-5000 or send an email to [email protected].
