Monica Thayer, Family Resource Management Extension Agent

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There’s not much left in this society that is free and unbiased, but that is the entire premise of the State Health Insurance Assistance Programs (SHIPs). Congress created SHIPs in every state and territory of the United States.

In the state of Kansas, the SHIP program is titled Senior Health Insurance Counseling for Kansas or shortened to SHICK. SHICK is administered by the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS).

SHICK is a free, unbiased, and confidential program that has trained counselors, often volunteers, to answer questions and assist with Medicare across the Sunflower State. The goal of SHICK counselors is to educate the public to make informed decisions about their health care options.

This is especially important as the Medicare Open Enrollment Period is quickly approaching. From October 15th to December 7th, each Medicare beneficiary can join, drop, or switch their Medicare Prescription Drug Plan or Advantage Plan.

Medicare can be confusing to navigate, so get free, unbiased assistance by scheduling an appointment with a SHICK counselor. The River Valley Extension District has 10 trained SHICK counselors that will be available for Open Enrollment appointments.

Call your local Extension Office today to get an appointment scheduled – Belleville at 785-527-5084, Clay Center at 785-632-5335, Concordia at 785-243-8185, and Washington at 785-325-2121.