Best Medicare Supplement Plans in South Carolina
Medigap policies cover the gaps in coverage that Original Medicare insurance does not pay. Out-of-pocket expenses include copayments, deductibles, and coinsurance. There are ten Medicare Supplement plans in South Carolina. Each provides a different level of coverage — in addition to your standard Medicare benefits — to help you save on healthcare costs.
Of the ten plans, Medicare Supplement Plan G is the best option for most beneficiaries in South Carolina.
The best rates on Plan G are with Aetna, at $112.00 per month for a 65-year-old female.
We also find that with Aetna, Medicare Supplement Plan N comes in second place at $82.00 per month.
Medicare Supplement Plan options in South Carolina
Best Comprehensive Coverage: Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan G
Medicare Plan G is an option for those who became eligible for Medicare after Jan. 1, 2020, and it is the Medicare Supplement plan most similar to Plan F.
With a Medigap Plan G insurance policy, you will have assistance with copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles, but it doesn’t cover the Part B deductible.
Best Value: Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan N
Medigap Plan N gives beneficiaries cost savings with lower premiums. However, with lower premiums comes higher out-of-pocket costs. For example, plan N requires a $20 copay for doctor’s appointments and up to $50 for emergency room visits.
Best Low Cost: Medicare Supplement High Deductible Plan G
- High Deductible Plan G has the Same Benefits as Medicare Plan G
- Annual Deductible of $2,700
- Significantly Cheaper than Medicare Plan G
- Considerably Cheaper than High Deductible Plan F yet Covers everything in high deductible F except for the Part B Deductible
Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan F
Medicare Supplement Plan F has been the most popular plan option for Medicare Supplement insurance in South Carolina. The drawback is that it’s only available to those who became eligible for Medicare before Jan. 1, 2020.
Plan F offers the broadest coverage to defray your medical expenses by assisting with copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles. It also covers the Part B deductible. However, the plan has the most expensive premiums.
It includes:
- Part A hospital coinsurance
- The hospital costs up to 365 days after benefits through Original Medicare are exhausted.
- Part A hospice care copays or coinsurance
- Part A deductible
- Part B deductible
- Part B preventive office visit coinsurance
- Part B coinsurance or copays
- Excess charges for Medicare Part B
- First three pints of blood needed for a medical procedure
- Coinsurance for care in a skilled nursing facility
- Limited foreign travel emergency care
Top-rated Medicare Supplement Insurance Companies in South Carolina
The following three companies are the most popular in Medigap plans in South Carolina.
1. Cigna
Cigna is highly rated, with a five-star rating from Medicare (out of five stars) in 2021. Cigna is an excellent option for your Medicare Supplement insurance policy.
2. Aetna
Aetna has an overall weighted average of 4.0 out of 5.0 stars in 2021. Aetna offers a wide range of options in their Medigap plans, which your licensed insurance agent can explain.
One of the very first companies to offer Medicare Supplement plans after Medicare began in 1965, Mutual of Omaha received 2.5 stars out of a 5-star rating in 2021
How Much Does Medicare Supplement Insurance Cost in South Carolina?
Medicare Supplement Plans in South Carolina cost an average of $129.00 per month, but rates can vary depending on the Insurer.
| Plan type | Premium Range |
|---|---|
| Plan F | $180.00 – $300.00 |
| Plan G | $117.00 – $220.00 |
| Plan N | $90.00 – $200.00 |
When Can I Apply for a Medicare Supplement Plan?
You can begin to apply for a Medicare Supplement plan in SC during a six-month period that begins the month you turn 65. This is the only time you can buy a Medigap policy with zero penalties, even if you have pre-existing or underlying conditions. The insurance plans cost the same no matter how healthy you are.
After this enrollment period, you can still buy a Medigap policy, but it may be more expensive because insurers can consider your health condition when underwriting.
You must be enrolled in Original Medicare before applying for a Medicare Supplement plan.
Please note that the Medigap open enrollment period differs from the Medicare Advantage open enrollment period. Oct. 15 to Dec. 7 is the open enrollment period when you can change your Medicare Advantage plan, also known as Medicare Plan C. You can also change Medicare Part D, which offers prescription drug coverage, during this time.
Please speak to your licensed insurance agent to clarify deadlines and enrollment periods.
South Carolina Medicare Resources:
https://www.doi.sc.gov/medigap
https://www.doi.sc.gov/639/Medicare-Supplement-Insurance
https://aging.sc.gov/programs-initiatives/medicare-and-medicare-fraud
| Related Topics: | |
|---|---|
| Aetna Medigap Plan G Cigna Medigap Plan G | Mutual of Omaha Plan G Medicare Supplements 2023 |
Ready to learn more?
We specialize in educating consumers on their options and guiding them through the plan selection process. We work closely with some of the nation’s top-rated. Compare our list of the 10 Best Medicare Supplement Insurance Companies or take a deeper look at the plans by reviewing our Medicare Supplement Plans Comparison Chart. Learn more about Medicare Part D Prescription Drug plans, or request a Medicare Supplement Plan Quote.
