The North Central-Flint Hills Area Agency on Aging (NC-FH AAA) invites people throughout the heartland to help Kansans with their Medicare by volunteering to be a counselor with the Senior Health Insurance Counseling Program (SHICK).
SHICK counselors provide trustworthy, unbiased information to older Kansans, people living with disabilities and their caregivers by helping people understand Medicare, its options and answering questions.
Those interested in being SHICK counselors should call 1-800-432-2703 to get more information or an application. Applications are also available at www.ncfhaaa.com.
"SHICK-certified volunteers provide unbiased and trustworthy help to people wanting answers about Medicare. Becoming a SHICK counselor is the best way we know to learn about Medicare and then to help meet a critical need to help others in this part of the state get answers and peace of mind about their Medicare decisions,” said Julie Govert Walter, NC-FH AAA executive director.
In 2019, SHICK counselors with the NC-FH AAA helped more than 5,440 Kansans. Between Oct. 15, 2019 and Dec. 7, 2019, counselors in the region helped more than 3,800 people review their Medicare Part D drug plan options. Those who decided to shop and then switch Part D plans last fall saved on average $937. Total estimated savings in the NC-FH AAA region was $1,338,518.
“We are truly grateful for each of the wonderful SHICK counselors in our region—however, even with their generous help, we had to turn people away during Medicare enrollment season,” Walter said. “The need for counselors is critical—our goal is to provide everyone an opportunity to meet with a SHICK counselor-- last fall, we simply did not have enough trained counselors to help.”
To become certified as a SHICK counselor, on-line and in-person training on Medicare is required. In-person training sessions happen in the spring and summer throughout the state.
Certain restrictions apply. To avoid conflicts of interest -- or the appearance of conflicts -- people currently affiliated with pharmacies or insurance companies are restricted from SHICK counseling.