Medicare Help in Lawrence, KS

Lawrence is a college town. Most people think of KU, students, and game days. The Census Bureau counted about 95,000 people here in 2020.

But Lawrence has plenty of folks on the other end of the age chart, too. Per the Census Bureau, about 12.7% of residents are 65 or older. Some of them retire with benefits from a former employer. Maybe the university. Maybe the state.

That brings up a question I care a lot about. What happens to my retiree coverage when I get Medicare?

Think of it like a bridge you can't rebuild

Here's the mental model.

Your employer or retiree health plan is a bridge. Medicare is the road on the other side.

Most of the time, you can use both. But some moves burn the bridge. And once it's gone, you can't rebuild it.

So before you change anything, make sure you know which moves those are.

Retiree coverage and Medicare: the rules that matter

Here's what Medicare.gov and CMS say, in plain English.

1. Ask before you add Medicare drug coverage. Medicare.gov says to check with your retiree plan first. Some plans end your retiree coverage, or your spouse's, if you join a Medicare drug plan.

2. Dropping it can be permanent. Say you drop retiree drug or health coverage. CMS says you and your family may not be able to get it back.

3. Retiree coverage isn't "current work" coverage. This one trips people up. If you delay Part B because you're still working, you get 8 months after the job or coverage ends to sign up. But CMS says COBRA and retiree plans don't count as coverage from current employment. So don't count on them to stretch that window.

4. With retiree coverage, Medicare usually pays first. Medicare.gov says that once you're retired and have Medicare, Medicare generally pays first. Your retiree plan pays second.

A note for State of Kansas and KU retirees

If you have State of Kansas retiree benefits, read the fine print. The State Employee Health Plan's retiree guidebook says Medicare-eligible members need both Part A and Part B to enroll in its Medicare Direct Bill program. It also lays out its own deadlines and forms.

KU's HR site has a Medicare FAQ and a benefits team for retirees. My advice? Call them first. Ask exactly what happens to your coverage, and your spouse's, before you make any Medicare choice. Then call us, and we'll look at how it all fits together.

Where Lawrence folks get care

In Lawrence:

• LMH Health, main campus at 325 Maine St. LMH says it's a 174-bed, independent, not-for-profit community hospital, founded in 1921. Since 2023, it's had a clinical relationship with The University of Kansas Health System for some specialty care.

In Topeka, about 30 minutes west:

• Stormont Vail Hospital, 1500 SW 10th Ave. A 586-bed acute care center.
• The University of Kansas Health System St. Francis Campus, 1700 SW 7th St.

In Kansas City, Kansas:

• The University of Kansas Hospital, 4000 Cambridge St.

If you look at a Medicare Advantage plan, check LMH first. Then check whichever Topeka or Kansas City hospital you'd use for bigger needs.

Plans available in Douglas County for 2027

Kansas plans are different from Missouri's. Per the CMS CY2027 Landscape file, Douglas County has 24 Medicare Advantage plans (not counting special needs plans) from 5 parent organizations.

• 20 have a $0 monthly plan premium. You still pay your Part B premium.
• 19 include drug coverage.
• 15 PPOs and 9 HMOs.

See the details on our Douglas County plans page. For the bigger picture, read our Kansas Medicare guide.

Thinking about a Supplement? In Kansas, those are regulated by the Kansas Insurance Department. It publishes a free Medicare Supplement shopper's guide.

Signing up from Lawrence

Lawrence has its own Social Security office:

• 1440 Wakarusa Dr, Suite 200, Lawrence, KS 66049

Call 1-800-772-1213 to set an appointment. Or apply for Part A and Part B online at ssa.gov.

Free help in Lawrence

• SHICK (Senior Health Insurance Counseling for Kansas) is the state's free, unbiased Medicare counseling program. Call 1-800-860-5260.
• Senior Resource Center for Douglas County, 745 Vermont St. It's the local SHICK site. Call 785-727-7872 for Medicare help.
• Jayhawk Area Agency on Aging, 2910 SW Topeka Blvd, Topeka. (785) 235-1367. It serves Douglas, Shawnee and Jefferson counties.
• Help with costs: Kansas offers Medicare Savings Programs through KanCare. Apply at applyforKanCare.ks.gov or call 1-800-792-4884.

Let's protect your bridge

Bring your retiree plan info, your Medicare card, and your drug list. We'll look at how they work together before anything changes.

Call us toll-free at (844) 348-4138, or reach our Topeka office. It's our Kansas home, about 30 minutes from Lawrence.

— Matt

Frequently asked questions

I'm retiring from KU. Should I sign up for Medicare Part B?

Talk to KU's benefits office first. Some retiree programs, like the state plan's Medicare Direct Bill program, require Part A and Part B. Retiree coverage also doesn't give you the same sign-up window as coverage from a current job.

Can I drop my retiree plan and pick it back up later?

Often, no. CMS warns that if you drop retiree coverage, you and your family may not be able to get it back. Check before you change anything.

Is there a Social Security office in Lawrence, KS?

Yes. It's at 1440 Wakarusa Dr, Suite 200. Call 1-800-772-1213 for an appointment.

Where can I get free Medicare counseling in Lawrence?

SHICK counselors at the Senior Resource Center, 745 Vermont St. Call 785-727-7872.

How far is your Topeka office from Lawrence?

About 30 minutes. We also do a lot by phone.