The short answer
Johnson County SHICK vs Medicare agent comes down to who is selling. SHICK is a free program with trained volunteers, and they sell nothing. An agent compares plans and enrolls you. Many people in Overland Park use both.
What is SHICK in Johnson County?
SHICK stands for Senior Health Insurance Counseling for Kansas. It lets you talk with trained community volunteers about Medicare and other health insurance.
The county says its volunteers do not sell insurance or work for any insurance company. The state also bars anyone tied to the insurance industry from being a counselor.
They can help with these things:
- Medicare questions, enrollment, and plan comparisons.
- The Part D Extra Help program for drug costs.
To get services, you must live in Johnson County, Kansas, and be 60 or older. To set up a visit, call 913-715-8856.
What does a Medicare agent do?
An agent is licensed to sell Medicare plans. At Cole Insure, we compare the plans we offer, check your doctors and drugs, and enroll you. We are also here after you enroll, when questions come up.
We are paid by the plan company when you enroll. You do not pay us. We are a private agency. We are not Medicare, Social Security or the government.
We work with some, not all, of the companies in your area. You can see the full list of options on Medicare.gov.
What is the real difference in Johnson County SHICK vs Medicare agent help?
Both are free to you. The main difference is who is on the other end of the phone.
Here is what SHICK offers:
- Volunteers with no ties to an insurance company.
- Open to Johnson County residents age 60 and older.
- Explains Medicare and compares options.
- Can help with enrollment too.
- A good source for a neutral second opinion.
Here is what an agent offers:
- A license to sell, so we can finish your enrollment.
- A look at the plans we offer, not the whole market.
- Help during the year, not just in the fall.
- Work with the cities on both sides of the state line.
Neither one is wrong. One gives you a neutral view. The other gives you a person who can complete the paperwork with you.
When does it help to use both?
A lot of people do. Here are some common ways:
- You are new to Medicare and want to learn the basics first, then pick a plan.
- You already talked with an agent and want a neutral second look.
- You want a plan changed and need someone to enroll you.
Timing matters right now. Open Enrollment runs October 15 to December 7, and new coverage starts January 1. See our page on enrollment periods for the rules.
If you already have a Medicare Advantage plan, you get one more change from January 1 to March 31.
What if I live outside Johnson County?
You still have free help. Here is who to call:
- Wyandotte and Leavenworth counties: the Area Agency on Aging SHICK coordinator at 913-573-8531.
- Anywhere in Kansas: the state SHICK line at 800-860-5260.
- Missouri: the Missouri SHIP at 800-390-3330.
Rules differ across the state line. Our page on Missouri vs Kansas rules explains how.
What should I bring to either call?
Having these ready makes any visit faster:
- Your red, white and blue Medicare card.
- Your current plan card, if you have one.
- A list of your drugs and doses.
- Names of your doctors and hospitals.
Check whether your doctors and hospitals are in a plan’s network before you sign up. For prices, see Medicare costs this year.
What to do next
Not sure where to start? Please call us first at (816) 307-6165. We will help you decide if SHICK, an agent, or both makes sense for you.
If you would rather pick a time, Book a free review.
Our help is free, and the price of a plan is the same as going direct.
Live near Overland Park? See our local Medicare help page for the hospitals, networks and sign-up rules that apply to you.
Sources
- KDADS: Senior Health Insurance Counseling for Kansas (SHICK)
- Johnson County: SHICK/Medicare Insurance Counseling
- KDADS: SHICK Locating Help
- KDADS: SHICK Counselor Training
