Shopping For Health Insurance In South Carolina

You may be looking for cheap health insurance in South Carolina, but the lowest cost monthly payment may not be your best option. Lower deductibles, co-pays and other factors, such as premium tax relief and State contributions, could LOWER your total medical expenses. Perhaps you are shopping for Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans. In the USA as a whole, around 14% of the population are enrolled in Medicare. South Carolina has 17% enrollment in Medicare, and about 25% of those are enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans. When you turn 65 you are automatically eligible for Medicare but you must enroll to take advantage.

TrueCoverage is a Certified Direct Enrollment Partner of Healthcare.com and offers one of the largest selections of health insurance plans . TrueCoverage has the technology to filter these plans to provide you with the BEST VALUE plans to meet your specific needs.

TrueCoverage is represented in South Carolina by its licensed insurance advisors. They have access to the same proprietary systems and possess the specialized knowledge and insights that enable you to decide on the plan which offer best value based on your personal circumstances.

10 Core Health Services Mandated for all ACA Compliant Plans

Before the Affordable Care Act became Federal law, insurers could refuse to cover various health benefits, resulting in overwhelming debt for many people. The ACA fixed those loopholes and required all qualifying plans to carry these coverages :

South Carolina Health Insurance Laws

The Affordable Care Act limits what insurance companies can use to determine your health care costs.

• Pre-existing conditions: The ACA mandates that you cant be charged more for having a pre-existing condition. People with previous medical problems or lapses in insurance used to face steep premiums, if they could even get coverage.
• Gender: According to a study about health care costs, women historically pay more for health insurance. But the ACA limits health care companies from charging men and women different prices for the same plan.
• Insurance and medical history: Insurance companies used to analyze past insurance coverage and previous medical problems. They used these factors to boost prices, but the ACA limits them from doing that anymore.

SC state law requires insurance companies to offer at least some coverage for the following services:

• Maternity minimum stay
• Emergency room service

The Cheapest Health Insurance In South Carolina By Metal Tier

Insurance policies in the health insurance market are frequently classified into various metal tiers. The tiers offered in South Carolina are Catastrophic, Bronze, Expanded Bronze, Silver and Gold. The premiums and cost-sharing for each plan vary based on the tier the policy belongs to. Gold plans have the highest insurer cost-sharing, while Catastrophic plans have the lowest. As a result, premiums for a Gold plan will be high, while premiums for a Catastrophic plan will be the lowest.

For plans with lower monthly premiums, deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums are higher. And plans with higher premiums provide wider coverage with lower deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums.

The following are the average monthly health insurance rates for the five tiers:

• Catastrophic: $228 per month
• Expanded Bronze: $367 per month
• Silver: $520 per month
• Gold: $542 per month

Individuals in good health may have fewer medical costs. Therefore, a low-cost insurance plan, such as a Bronze plan, will likely be sufficient to cover their medical expenses. However, individuals with higher medical costs will be at an advantage by choosing a Gold health insurance plan in South Carolina. Although these plans charge you high monthly premiums, you will get more coverage and low deductibles.

Rates, deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums for policies in the South Carolina insurance market might vary by metal tier. The table below provides the lowest available average monthly premium for each metal tier.

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Student Health Insurance Plan Information

Insurance cardsPlease be sure to carry your insurance card with you at all times. You can obtain an electronic ID card in the My Health ToolKitEnrollment for spouses and dependentsStudents who are enrolled in the school-sponsored plan may also enroll spouses and dependents under the plan by paying AHP directly. Academic Health Plans/Blue Cross Blue Shield

AHP Customer Service:

Health Insurance Companies In South Carolina

There are five health insurance companies on the South Carolina state exchange:

• Ambetter from Absolute Total Care
• BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina
• Cigna Healthcare of South Carolina
• First Choice Next
• Molina Healthcare

Only Ambetter and BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina are available in every county, but residents have significantly more options than a few years ago, when the state marketplace offered only a single insurer.

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Qhps Available In The Health Insurance Marketplace

• Absolute Total Care is now statewide – writing in all 46 counties – added Anderson, Cherokee, Spartanburg, and Union for Plan Year 2023.
• BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina is statewide – writing in all 46 counties. .
• Cigna HealthCare of South Carolina, Inc. is new to the South Carolina Marketplace for Plan Year 2023 and is writing in 4 counties: Berkeley, Charleston, Dorchester, Horry.
• Molina Healthcare is writing in 43 counties: Abbeville, Aiken, Allendale, Bamberg, Barnwell, Beaufort, Berkeley, Calhoun, Charleston, Cherokee, Chester, Chesterfield, Clarendon, Colleton, Darlington, Dillon, Dorchester, Edgefield, Fairfield, Florence, Georgetown, Greenville, Greenwood, Hampton, Horry, Jasper, Kershaw, Lancaster, Laurens, Lee, Lexington, McCormick, Marion, Marlboro, Newberry, Orangeburg, Richland, Saluda, Spartanburg, Sumter, Union, Williamsburg, and York.
• Select Health of South Carolina, Inc. is new to the South Carolina Marketplace for Plan Year 2023 and is writing a total of 17 counties: Anderson, Berkeley, Calhoun, Charleston, Chester, Dillon, Dorchester, Fairfield, Georgetown, Greenville, Horry, Kershaw, Lancaster, Laurens, Marion, Pickens, Richland. View County Availability Chart by clicking here. View County Availability Maps by clicking here.

Home Health Care Benefits

• Up to $150 Per-Day for approved Home Health Care Practitioners at $75) — A Maximum Benefit of $54,000.
• A daily benefit of $40 for a Home Health Care Aide Benefit — A Maximum Benefit of $2,400.
• A Prescription Drug Benefit. Meet a $50 yearly deductible and policy pays 80% up to $250/year
• Annual Physical Exam one every 12 months after policy has been in force for 1 year.
• Vision Exam + Lenses and Frames after rider in force for 6 months. Some limits apply.
• Hearing Exam + $250 for hearing aid
• In-Hospital Private Duty Nurse Benefit

This is a summarized description of some of the policies. Read the actual policy and./or outline of coverage for complete information, limitations and exclusions.

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What Are South Carolinas Medicare Options For Seniors And People With Disabilities

If youre at least 65 or youre disabled, youre eligible for Medicare, the federal governments health insurance plan.

• Original Medicare is the basic Medicare program. It includes Part A and Part B . Original Medicare has no out-of-pocket limits. It doesnt cover prescription drug costs. Youll need to purchase a Medicare Part D plan if you require prescription coverage.
• Medicare Part C is also known as Medicare Advantage. There are four different types of Medicare Advantage Plans: HMOs, PPOs, Private Fee-For-Service plans, and Special Needs Plans , each with different premiums, out-of-pocket costs, and medical coverage. Plans provide vision, dental, and hearing coverage, and some cover fitness memberships and prescription drugs. In South Carolina, there were 59 Medicare Advantage Plans available in 2019.

If youre worried about out-of-pocket costs with Original Medicare, consider a Medicare Supplement Insurance plan . It covers many deductibles, including copays and coinsurance. It doesnt cover long-term health care, dental, or hearing. Many Medicare Supplement Insurance plans will provide you with coverage if you travel outside the U.S. These plans wont work with a Medicare Advantage Plan.

Eligibility

Enrollment

South Carolina Affordable Healthcare Insurance

People in South Carolina have a few options when it comes to picking a health insurance plan so it’s wise to compare rates carefully. Whether you’re an individual or you’re buying coverage for a family, you can compare prices for different coverage options with SmartFinancial. This way, you’ll know you’re getting the best value. Keep in mind that you may only enroll in a health plan during open enrollment unless you have a qualifying event.

When Is Open Enrollment in South Carolina?

How to Get Health Insurance in South Carolina

You can estimate how much you need in terms of coverage by taking a look at the previous year. This information will help you decide which health plan is right for you, and which coverage tier will be most economical. A higher premium sometimes means savings, especially if you see care providers regularly. Compare health insurance companies and health insurance quotes before you buy. After you submit a form you’ll get several rates from competing health insurance companies. We’ll then connect you with an agent so you can buy coverage or ask questions about the plans you’re considering.

What Types of Health Insurance Are Available in South Carolina?

Does Health Insurance Cover Pre-existing Conditions?

It is now illegal for marketplace health plans to deny anyone health insurance coverage based on pre-existing conditions.

Compare Health Insurance Plans in South Carolina

Do I Qualify for a Special Enrollment Period?

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About Blue Cross Blue Shield Association

The Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association is a national federation of 34 independent, community-based and locally operated Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies that collectively provide health care coverage for one in three Americans.

The Blue Cross Blue Shield Association is an association of 35 independent, locally operated Blue Cross and/or Blue Shield companies.

South Carolina Health Insuranceaffordable Sc Health Insurance Options

It is time to research affordable South Carolina health insurance options for next year! If you and your family live in South Carolina you face the uncertainties of an upcoming Presidential election and the COVID-19 pandemic. Selecting the BEST insurance at the lowest rates is more critical now than ever.

TrueCoverage provides helpful resources and guidance for selecting affordable health insurance that meets your specific needs. Remember, the Open Enrollment Period starts November 1st and runs through December 15th.

Select your South Carolina Health Insurance coverage soon, and you will save yourself last-minute headaches. The TrueCoverage team is here to help by providing pre-registration services. We will contact you with health coverage packages tailored to you, your family, and your small business.

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South Carolina And Obamacare Subsidies

The majority of South Carolinians who enrolled in 2020 Marketplace coverage received subsidies from the federal government.6 Subsidies, or premium tax credits, are based on your income and household size. You typically qualify if you do not already have access to a qualified plan through your employer or your spouses employer and if your modified adjusted gross income is between $12,880 and $51,520 for an individual, which is 100% to 400% of the federal poverty level for 2022.

Here are some examples of how much you could save with subsidies:

• A 28-year-old single non-smoker in Charleston, S.C., earning $30,000 a year would pay $83 per month for a 2022 silver plan with subsidies. This policy costs $320 without subsidies, which is a savings of $237.

• A family of three in Columbia, S.C., earning $45,000 a year, could get a 2022 silver plan for $83 per month with subsidies or $1,118 without a savings of $1,035.

Private Health Insurance On The South Carolina Marketplace

Healthcare plans in South Carolina are classified into various metal tiers by the state’s insurance exchange. Although the Catastrophic and Bronze plans have the lowest premiums, they also have the highest out-of-pocket maximums. The monthly premiums for Gold plans will be higher, but the overall cost to you for choosing this plan will be lower if you have extensive medical expenses.

All the tiers mentioned below meet the state and federal health insurance standards. They do, however, differ in several ways.

MoneyGeek’s data only shows sample rates you may be eligible for cheaper plans or more coverage. The income level of your family has a major influence on insurance prices. If your monthly family income is between 100% and 400% of the federal poverty level, you may be eligible for premium tax credits. These tax credits are available in South Carolina to two-person households earning between $17,420 and $69,680 yearly. More information regarding this will be available through the HealthCare.gov calculator.

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The Cheapest Health Insurance In South Carolina By Age And Metal Tier

When evaluating the South Carolina health exchange plans, we discovered that age had a significant influence on the cost of health insurance. Insurance prices rise as you age. For a 26-year-old male in South Carolina, a Silver plan will cost around $417 per month, but a 60-year-old male will spend about $1,105 per month for the same policy.

Health Insurance Costs in South Carolina by Age and Metal Tier

The South Carolina insurance marketplace data on health insurance rates are just averages based on sample ages. Besides your age, your income also affects the cost. Seniors in South Carolina may obtain rates lower than the sample rates since insurers consider tax premiums and other factors. Still, you won’t know your exact premium until you apply for a health insurance plan.

The table below shows how prices differ based on metal tier plans and age groups. See our detailed guide on South Carolina health insurance for more information about the insurance metal tiers.

Cheapest Health Insurance in South Carolina by Age And Metal Tier

Sort by Metal Tier:

South Carolina Health Insurance Costs

Obamacare plans come in bronze, silver, gold, and platinum. The metal levels indicate how much of covered costs insurers pay .

No health insurance carrier in the Palmetto State offered platinum plans through federally facilitated exchanges for 2021 or will for 2022.5 Platinum plans have the highest monthly premiums.

The federal Marketplace also offers catastrophic health plansbut they are available only to people under 30 years of age or people of any age who qualify via a hardship exemption or an affordability exemption, based on Marketplace or job-based insurance being unaffordable.

Below are the average lowest premiums for plans sold in the Marketplace for 2022 including rate changes from 2020 and 2021, for a 40-year-old, weighted by county plan selections:6

• The average lowest-cost bronze premium for 2022 is $339, for 2021 is $328 per month, down from $351 for 2020.
• The average lowest-cost silver premium for 2022 is $438, for 2021 is $469 per month, down from $496 for 2020.
• The average lowest-cost gold premium for 2022 is $483, for 2021 is $513 per month, down from $529 for 2020.

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Open Enrollment Starts Sunday Sc Blues Plans Offer Some Of The Lowest Cost Plans

Columbia – Open Enrollment for individual health insurance begins Sunday, and Blue Cross® BlueShield® of South Carolina and BlueChoice® HealthPlan of South Carolina are ready to provide access to health care coverage at highly competitive rates.

The companies South Carolina BLUEâ stores will be open this Sunday, 12 p.m.-5 p.m., and the mobile sales and education RVs will start their road tour around the state on the same day.

It is estimated that more than 400,000 of the states citizens are uninsured. Blue Cross urges all South Carolinians to purchase insurance as required by the law or to do a health insurance check-up if they already hold insurance. Both companies have increased the number of plans available, a number of which in the silver metal category have the lowest rates of any plan in many parts of South Carolina. BlueCross has 22 plans available and BlueChoice has 31 plans available. In addition, people currently receiving a subsidy to reduce monthly premiums should revalidate the subsidy amount for 2016.

We are responding to the marketplace, said Jim Deyling, BlueCross President. This year, we are increasing the number of health plans available to include even more competitively priced options

SC Blue RV Tour Stops

ABOUT BLUECROSS BLUESHIELD OF SOUTH CAROLINA

ABOUT BLUECHOICE HEALTH PLAN OF SOUTH CAROLINA

Renew Your Medicaid Or Chip Coverage

As COVID-19 becomes less of a threat, states will restart yearly Medicaid and CHIP eligibility reviews. This means your state will use the information they have to decide if you or your family member still qualify for Medicaid or CHIP coverage. If your state needs more information from you to make a coverage decision, theyll send you a renewal letter in the mail. Go to Medicaid.gov/renewals, find a link to your state Medicaid office and confirm your contact information is up-to-date.

An official website of the United States governmentHeres how you know

Official websites use .gov

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South Carolina And The Affordable Care Act

Since the ACA was implemented in 2013, South Carolinas uninsured rate declined most years through 2019. The number of uninsured residents dropped from 15% in 2013 to almost 11% in 2019. The lowest percentage of the population was uninsured in 2016, just under 10%.2

South Carolinas growth in insured residents occurred although the state did not expand its Medicaid program. Under the ACA, states can expand Medicaid to childless adults who earn up to 138% of the federal poverty level . As of October 2019, South Carolina had 124,000 uninsured residents who would otherwise have qualified had the state expanded Medicaid.3

Cheapestepo/hmohealth Insurance Plan In South Carolina

To find the best health insurance plan in South Carolina, you must first assess your healthcare needs and preferences. The majority of plans available in the South Carolina insurance market are Health Maintenance Organization plans. In addition, the state provides Exclusive Provider Organization plans.

Except in an emergency, South Carolina’s HMO plans cover medical services obtained through in-network health providers. Your primary care physician will refer you to specialist doctors. These insurance policies are less expensive than other types of insurance. EMO plans are similar to HMOs. However, unlike an HMO plan, you can see specialists within the network without a referral from your primary physician.

• Cheapest HMOSilver Plan: Constant Care Silver 4 provided by Molina Healthcare, costing an average of $457 per month for a 40-year-old male
• Cheapest EPO Silver Plan: BlueExclusive Cooper Silver 2 offered by BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina, costing around $456 a month for an average 40-year-old man

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