Medicare Supplement (Medigap) Policies

South Carolina does not require insurers to offer a Medicare Supplement policy to adults under sixty-five.

Mini-COBRA Policies (small group)

South Carolina requires employers to provide continuation coverage for six months.

Medicare Savings Programs

South Carolina has three Medicare Savings Programs:

Qualified Medicare Beneficiaries (QMBs): For individuals with a monthly income under $903 and for couples with a monthly income under $1214, the state pays all premiums for Part B and all Co-Pays and Deductibles for Parts A & B.
Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiaries (SLMBs): For individuals with income under $1083 or couples with income under $1457, the state pays premiums for Part B.
Qualified Individuals (QIs): For individuals with income under $1218 or for couples with an income under $1639, the state pays premiums for Part B.

To qualify for any one of these programs, participants must have assets below $6,600 or be part of a couple with assets below $9,910.

State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP)
The Insurance Counseling Assistance and Referral for Elders (I-CARE)Program is South Carolina’s SHIP Program. The I-CARE program offers services to all Medicare beneficiaries (including the homebound and the disabled). I-CARE outreach services are provided to the general public through faith-based communities, SC Pharmacy Association, civic organizations,health fairs, legislative forums, legal aid programs, Primary Health Care Associations, Community Actions Agency and Parish Nurse Associations. General Medicare counseling and Part D enrollment assistance can be accessed via the SHIP toll-free line at 800-868-9095. www.aging.sc.gov

High-Risk Pool
South Carolina does have a high-risk insurance pool, available on the basis of HIPAA, HCTC and medical eligibility.
http://doi.sc.gov/consumer/Pages/SCHIP.aspx

State Tax Credit for Health Insurance
South Carolina offers a nonrefundable tax credit to individuals on SC Health Insurance Pool Coverage who held a health insurance policy from an insurance company that has withdrawn from writing health insurance policies in South Carolina and the individual, in replacing the insurance policy with one having substantially the same coverage, was assigned to the South Carolina Health Insurance Pool with a higher premium. The credit amounts to 50% of the of the premium cost of the South Carolina Health Insurance Pool coverage, up to $3000/individual

Low-Income Subsidy (“extra-help”) for Prescription Drugs
This program is a subsidy for Part D recipients with resources under $13,070 (or $26,120 for a couple) to receive money towards a Medicare prescription drug plan. The benchmark of support is different depending on which region of the country you live in. In South Carolina in 2012, the low-income subsidy was $36.15 per month.

If you live in South Carolina and you are interested in getting a Medicare Plan, please contact the Medicare experts at eAmeriFamily Insurance. They are industry veterans and will guide you through the process of getting the right Medicare, Medicare Advantage, or MediGap Plan for you.