News Immediate Release
Date: Oct. 8, 2025
Contact: Julie Govert-Walter, Executive Director
Marlene VerBrugge, SHICK Coordinator
Phone: 785-776-9294 or 1-800-432-2703
Medicare Counseling Events Slated for Abilene, Salina, Minneapolis
The North Central-Flint Hills Area Agency on Aging announced today that appointments for Medicare Benefits Counseling are being accepted for Outreach Events at locations in Abilene, Minneapolis and Salina.
Appointments with trained Senior Health Insurance Counselors for Kansas (SHICK) counselors are available on a space-available each day from 9 am to 3:30 pm.
Those seeking a time to talk to a Medicare benefits counselor should contact the location’s phone number listed here:
Abilene Senior Center at 100 N. Elm St., Tuesday, Oct. 21, call 785-263-7059.
Salina Senior Center at 245 N. Ninth St., Salina: Thursday, Oct. 23 & Wednesday, Nov. 12, call
785-823-1277 or 1-800-432-2703.
Due to the severely limited number of SHICK counselors available, those making appointments are asked to bring their Medicare number and a complete and up-to-date list of medications. Each person making an appointment is asked to keep their scheduled times. If re-scheduling is necessary, a call to 1-800-432-2703 should be made as soon as possible.
In-person appointments are also available at other locations with Senior Health Insurance Counseling for Kansas (SHICK) counselors throughout the Kansas heartland. Appointments can also be completed over the phone or via Zoom. Call 1-800-432-2703 to schedule an appointment or inquire about other options. The Agency website – www.ncfhaaa.com - also lists enrollment events in the region and a list of SHICK counselors.
“SHICK counselors update their Medicare training every year with the goal of educating and assisting people in making informed, unbiased decisions about their health insurance,” Julie Govert Walter, North Central-Flint Hills AAA Executive Director, said.
“Every year most companies that provide Medicare insurance make significant changes to their Medicare prescription drug plans—this means drug formularies and participating pharmacies may change—and there are changes in Medicare, too.”
Walter said that SHICK counseling is available at no cost, however, voluntary donations to support and expand this service are welcomed and appreciated.
Medicare’s Open Enrollment season that happens between October 15 and December 7 is the time when older Kansans and caregivers should “shop” for their Medicare coverage and plans that will become effective January 1, 2026. Kansas Area Agencies on Aging have coordinated SHICK counseling throughout the state since 1995.
The North Central-Flint Hills Agency on Aging is a private, non-profit organization that plans, coordinates and provides services in 18 north-central Kansas counties to enhance the quality and dignity of life for older Kansans, people living with disabilities and their families. Area Agency on Aging programs and services are partially funded by the Older Americans Act through the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services and voluntary participant contributions. The Area Agency on Aging works in partnership with local and county governments and senior citizens groups. All services are available without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. For further information, contact NC-FH AAA SHICK Coordinator Marlene VerBrugge at 785-776-9294 or via email at marlenev@ncfhaaa.com.
