Table of Contents

Medicare Plans by State

STATE -Select-
  • Alabama
  • Arizona
  • Arkansas
  • California
  • Colorado
  • Connecticut
  • Delaware
  • Florida
  • Georgia
  • Hawaii
  • Idaho
  • Illinois
  • Indiana
  • Iowa
  • Kansas
  • Kentucky
  • Louisiana
  • Maine
  • Maryland
  • Massachusetts
  • Michigan
  • Minnesota
  • Mississippi
  • Missouri
  • Montana
  • Nebraska
  • Nevada
  • New Hampshire
  • New Jersey
  • New Mexico
  • New York
  • North Carolina
  • North Dakota
  • Ohio
  • Oklahoma
  • Oregon
  • Pennsylvania
  • Rhode Island
  • South Carolina
  • South Dakota
  • Tennessee
  • Texas
  • Utah
  • Vermont
  • Virginia
  • Washington
  • West Virginia
  • Wisconsin
  • Wyoming
Page Reviewed / Updated – September 19, 2022

Seniors 65 and older or individuals with certain qualifying disabilities under age 65 are eligible for Medicare coverage. Original Medicare provides fee-for-service coverage in two parts: Part A for hospitalization, skilled nursing, hospice and home health care and Part B for medical insurance coverage for outpatient care, some home health care, preventative services and durable medical equipment. An alternative to this coverage is a Medicare Advantage Plan, sometimes referred to as Medicare Part C. Medicare Advantage offers Part A and B benefits but often includes additional services, such as vision, prescription medication and dental coverage. 

Unlike Original Medicare plans, which are managed by the federal government, Medicare Advantage Plans are sold by private insurance companies that have been approved by Medicare and must follow the regulations imposed by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Medicare Advantage Plans must offer the same coverage as Original Medicare, but often, Medicare Advantage Plans only cover in-network physicians, while Original Medicare beneficiaries can see any providers who accept Medicare benefits.

Based on CMS data, in Kansas, more than 574,000 out of the state’s 2,937,150 residents qualify for Medicare Advantage Plans, marking a 2.55% increase from 2022. This percentage is slightly below the national rate of 2.66%. However, only slightly over 179,000 of those eligible actually have Medicare Advantage coverage, resulting in a 31% enrollment rate. Nationally, approximately 48% of eligible individuals are enrolled, indicating a lower state enrollment. Meanwhile, In 2023, Kansas witnessed a significant 13.66% surge in enrollment, surpassing the national increase of 9.75%. This suggests that a larger portion of eligible seniors in Kansas are choosing Medicare Advantage, supported by a 10.84% rise in in-state enrollment. 

This guide provides comprehensive information about available Medicare Advantage Plans in Kansas. It delves into the finest plans the state offers, provides a detailed explanation of their operation and outlines the scope of coverage they provide.

The Top 10 Medicare Advantage Plans in Kansas

In Kansas, Medicare beneficiaries can choose from several Medicare Advantage Plans from various providers across the state. The below table notes the top 11 Medicare Advantage Plans based on total enrollment numbers. Because each provider may have several plans, numbers for those plans are combined. The table also notes the Medicare star rating, plan types and a range of average costs. The information provided is as recent as July of 2023. Beneficiaries should check Medicare.gov for more information.

Name

Enrollment

Medicare Star Rating

Monthly Cost Range

Plan Types

Humana

84207

3

$0 – $92

PPO, HMO, PFFS

Aetna Medicare

31803

3.5

$0 – $0

PPO, HMO

MVP HEALTH CARE

10133

4

$0 – $0

PPO

Healthfirst Medicare Plan

9327

4.5

$0 – $29

HMO

Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Western New Yo

2440

3

$0 – $13

HMO

Blue Medicare Advantage

1530

4

$0 – $0

HMO

UnitedHealthcare

790

4

$0 – $197

PPO, HMO

Highmark Inc.

733

4

$0 – $131

PFFS

Ascension Complete

504

N/A

$0 – $0

PPO

Independent Health

447

3

$0 – $0

HMO

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.

Medicare Advantage Plan Types Graphic

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.

Choose a Medicare Advantage Plan



State-Wide Medicare Advantage Resources

Senior Health Insurance Counseling for Kansas

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.

Contact Info

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.

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Kansas Department of Health and Environment

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.

Contact Info

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].

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Kansas Medicare Savings Program

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.

Contact Info

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.

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Kansas Senior Medicare Patrol 

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.

Contact Info

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.

Contact Info

ADRC services are available at the county level. To locate the nearest resource center, call 1-855-200-2372 to speak to a counselor.

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Kansas City Metropolitan Physicians Association

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.

Contact Info

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.

Contact Info

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].

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