Wellness Wednesday: Medicare Help from SHICK SHICK is your local Senior Health Insurance Counseling for Kansans. They are local, unbiased, and trained Medicare experts ready to help you make important decisions about your care and benefits. They can also check whether you qualify for a Medicare Savings Program or Extra Help. Call 800.860.5260 to speak with a counselor today!

Afraid Your Medicare Plan Was Switched? Don't be spooked, but stay alert: your Medicare plan may change without your knowledge or approval. Log in to your Medicare.gov account and make sure you have the right plan. If you have questions about the right Medicare plan for you, contact your SHICK counselor at 800.860.5260 to review your coverage options. SHICK provides free, confidential, and unbiased counseling for Kansans.

Medicare Open Enrollment Period Has Begun It's #MedicareOE time! If you would like help reviewing plans, you can use Medicare's Plan Finder or contact your local #SHIP through the SHIP National Technical Assistance Center: shiphelp.org.

Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day The U.S. nationally recognizes October 13 as Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day. Here's a reminder about breast cancer screening coverage for women with Medicare: 🩷Women ages 35-39 can get a baseline mammogram Medicare also covers diagnostic mammograms, but you'll pay 20% of the cost after meeting your deductible. If you need a diagnostic mammogram, Medicare covers it, but you'll pay 20% of the cost after meeting your deductible. Medicare Advantage plans must cover at least the same benefits as Original Medicare, though costs and rules may vary. For questions about Medicare coverage of preventive services, talk to your SHICK by calling 1.800.860.5260 or visiting Preventive and screening services

Medicare Monday: Indigenous Peoples' Day On Indigenous Peoples' Day, we honor America's first inhabitants and the Tribal Nations that continue to thrive. Our SHICK, MIPPA, and SMP teams serve all communities throughout Kansas, including our tribal communities. If you have questions about what Medicare covers, preventive services, applying for Extra Help, or reporting suspected fraud, please contact our teams at 800.860.5260.

Fraud Friday: Changing Medicare Plans - Social Media If you are looking at Medicare plans online, be aware that you may be targeted with Medicare plans on social media. Know that posts should not claim that Medicare endorses or prefers any plan or that you would get any kind of benefit for signing up early. If you see these posts, please report them to the #SeniorMedicarePatrol by calling 800.860.5260.

National Depression Screening Day Today is #NationalDepressionDay. Did you know that Medicare covers one depression screening per year? The screening must be done in a primary care doctor's office or primary care clinic that can provide follow-up treatment and referrals. Learn more about Medicare's coverage of mental health services from your local SHICK by calling 1.800.860.5260.

Medicare Monday: Medicare Can Be Confusing Navigating Medicare can feel overwhelming with all its rules and options! If you're approaching eligibility, don't worry; State Health Insurance Assistance Programs (SHIPs or Senior Health Insurance Counseling for Kansas- SHICK) are here to help! They provide free, unbiased assistance and guidance to help you understand your choices and find the best plan for your needs. Use these resources to make your transition to Medicare smoother! Call 800.860.5260 to talk to a local SHICK counselor today! #NewtoMedicare #Medicare101 #Medicare #Turning65

Fraud Friday: Cybersecurity Awareness Month October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month! Now more than ever, it is important to be diligent about protecting your information online. Here are a few tips for staying safe online. If you believe you or a loved one has shared sensitive Medicare information, contact your local SMP counselor today at 1.800.860.5260.

Congratulations to Stephanie Rhinehart, KDADS Prevention Program Manager, who is featured in this week’s NASADAD D.C. Update as the “Meet the Member” spotlight. Stephanie serves as Kansas’s National Prevention Network Coordinator and oversees the state’s Substance Use Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery Services block grant, along with community coalition funding and statewide youth and young adult substance use prevention and suicide prevention efforts. She is a member of the NPN Executive Committee, a past Southwest Region Representative, and has served on the 988 Planning Committee and numerous advisory boards and workgroups. A licensed social worker for more than 30 years, she previously worked in child welfare, family preservation, and developmental disabilities services. She holds a BSW from Georgia State University and an MSW from the University of Georgia, and is a proud Wichita native and mother. Her guiding philosophy, drawn from Anatole France: “To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream, not only plan, but also believe.” We’re proud to have Stephanie representing Kansas on the national stage. #KDADS #Prevention #NASADAD #Kansas #BehavioralHealth

Wellness Wednesday: Extra Help “Extra Help” is a Medicare program to help people with limited income and resources pay Medicare drug coverage (Part D) costs. Some people qualify automatically for Extra Help, while others need to apply. Visit SSA.gov/extrahelp to apply for Extra Help. If you need help filling out the application, your local SHICK volunteer can help. Call 1.800.860.5260 to speak to a local counselor today!

We’re underway in Lawrence for the 2026 Kansas Governor’s Conference on Aging. KDADS Secretary Laura Howard just delivered opening remarks, setting the tone for two days of connection, learning, and action on how we support older Kansans and the people who care for them. Grateful to be gathered with partners from across the state. Let’s get to work. #KSGovConfOnAging #KDADS #AgingWellKS

Suicide prevention is a year-round commitment. Showing up for the people in our lives is for all 12 months. Stronger Together: Connect. Support. Prevent. samhsa.gov/mental-health/sui… #SuicidePreventionMonth #ConnectSupportPrevent #SPM2026

Tomorrow is the day! 🎉 We're excited to welcome attendees from across Kansas for a day of learning, collaboration, and inspiration. From healthy aging and age-friendly communities to policy and systems change, you'll find valuable insights, meaningful connections, and practical ideas to take back to your work. Safe travels, and we'll see you tomorrow! Questions? Email: [email protected]

Medicare Monday: Medicare Coverage You have two options for Medicare coverage. Here's a quick overview of the differences and similarities between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage. You may choose one option and later decide to try the other. Be aware of the limitations on when you can make these changes. Call your local SHICK counselor with your Medicare questions or to compare your Medicare coverage options at 800.860.5260. #MedicarePlans #MedicareHelp #MedicareAdvantage #originalmedicare