(Feb. 24, 2026) – Today, the Senate Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee held an informational briefing on Medicare Advantage Plans. The committee heard from Jim Beck, Chair of the North Central Advisory Council for the Area Agency on Aging. Mr. Beck provided background on the services they provide and expressed concerns about the number of complaints they receive regarding Medicare Advantage Plans, highlighting denials, caps and limits, limited provider networks, and changes that can occur quickly. Mr. Beck suggested while the issues may not have been evident in the first years of the product, policyholders need the option to return to traditional Medicare if needed. Mr. Beck suggested policy changes needed to help older Kansans. 

Melinda Hageman from Kingman Healthcare Center presented a story about a patient they had in January. Melinda shared that a patient came in through the ER with back pain, was admitted, and her insurance denied. They then moved her to skilled nursing, which was also denied. She attempted to process a fast appeal but was denied. Her daughter lived four hours away and came to take her home. After she went home, she had a fall, and her outcomes were far worse than if she had had traditional Medicare and would have been approved. Because she didn’t have Medigap and wouldn’t have qualified for it, she can’t return to traditional Medicare. Ms. Hageman highlighted predatory sales tactics and limited networks in rural areas. 

Chuck Schmidt with the Kansas Silver Haired Legislature testified about the need to examine this issue and begin exploring possible solutions, highlighting Nebraska and Iowa legislation helping people switch more easily between Medicare and Medicare Advantage. He suggested expanding Medigap coverage would help. 

Julie Govert Walter, with the North Central Flint Hills Area Agency on Aging, also presented to the committee about how they help people enroll in Medicare plans. She highlighted older Kansans are being confused by a market which can be difficult to navigate. She emphasized that they want to focus on Medicare choices and Medigap rights. She mentioned changing provider networks and said while some Kansans are getting great services, a large population is really challenged by the current environment. Julie highlighted written testimony, including patient stories, provided to the committee by the Kansas Hospital Association and individuals.    

Committee member Senator Beverly Gossage (R-Eudora) asked how premiums were affected in states that have passed Medigap plans and about the Anniversary Law in Missouri. She suggested that the Anniversary Law is the reason rates are 25 percent higher in Missouri and offered to sit down with the conferees to help them better understand how important it is to have a good insurance agent. Senator Michael Fagg (R-El Dorado) said he hears that Medicare Advantage plans offer benefits at no cost, but if a policyholder has a stroke or something, they need to switch to a different plan. He compared it to buying house insurance after you’ve had a hailstorm and asked why people want to switch back to traditional Medicare. Senator Mike Argabright (R-Emporia) thanked the conferees and suggested the committee narrow it down, and Sen. Gossage offered to visit any member's district to discuss the topic. Mr. Beck closed by bringing up the topic of prior authorization and suggesting while it may be one answer for someone 65, it may be a different choice for someone at 75, and they shouldn’t be trapped in a choice they made years earlier.
 
The committee will meet again tomorrow.