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 10 Medicare Supplement plans in South Carolina to choose from. Each provides a different level of coverage — in addition to your standard Medicare benefits — to help you save on healthcare costs.
Many insurance companies sell Medigap plans. As you compare plans, keep in mind that each company must offer the same benefits for a given plan. However, companies can set their own rates, so it pays to compare premiums to find the best Medicare Supplement insurance plan in South Carolina that suits your budget and healthcare needs.
What are Medicare Supplement Plans in South Carolina?
Medicare Supplement plans in South Carolina provide extra health insurance coverage and reduce out-of-pocket costs for those enrolled in the federal Medicare program.
Original Medicare, which consists of Parts A and B, covers basic hospital and medical needs. Those over age 65 are eligible for Medicare. Some people can receive it earlier under certain circumstances.
Here’s how Original Medicare helps with your medical expenses:
Part A – Inpatient hospital stays, skilled nursing facility, nursing home, hospice and home health
Part B – Outpatient care, such as medical appointments, preventive care, screenings, lab work and medically necessary supplies
Medicare Supplement insurance plans in South Carolina are also known as Medigap plans. They expand Medicare benefits by reducing out-of-pocket costs, such as copayments, deductibles, and coinsurance.
Most Popular Medicare Supplement Plans in South Carolina
1. Best comprehensive coverage: Plan F
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
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
2. Best for Newer Medicare Beneficiaries: Plan G
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.
3. Best value: Plan N
Medigap Plan N gives beneficiaries cost savings with lower premiums. With lower premiums comes higher out-of-pocket costs. Plan N requires a $20 copay for doctor’s appointments and up to $50 for emergency room visits.
Chart showing most popular Medigap:
** Data from National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) Medicare Supplement Insurance Experience Exhibit, 2020.
**According to a survey carried out by Global Strategy Group on behalf of AHIP in January 2021*
AHIP.ORG
How Much Do Medigap Policies in South Carolina Cost?
The average cost of a Medicare Supplement plan in Greenville, South Carolina, (29615 zip code) for a 65-year-old, nonsmoking female is:
| Plan Type | Premium Range |
|---|---|
| Plan F | $116.45 - $208.22 |
| Plan G | $96.29 - $144.45 |
| Plan N | $71.05 - $119.06 |
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 take your health condition into consideration when underwriting.
You must be enrolled in Original Medicare before you can apply for a Medicare Supplement plan.
Please note, the Medigap open enrollment period is different 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.
What Companies Sell Medigap Plans 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 to you.
3. Mutual of Omaha
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
Related Topics
We specialize in educating consumers on their options and guiding them through the process of plan selection. We work closely with some of the nations 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 or about Medicare Part D Prescription Drug plans, or request a Medicare Supplement Plan Quote.
South Carolina Medicare Resources:
State Links
South Carolina Enrollment Statistics
In 2019, South Carolina’s population was 5,153,463. Approximately 20 percent of the people were 65 or older. The number of residents in the five most populous counties in the state in 2019 were:
• Greenville 506,837
• Richland 411,592
• Charleston 401,438
• Horry 333,268
• Spartanburg 306,854
Roughly 1,051,955 Medicare beneficiaries in the state. Approximately 82 percent were enrolled because of age and 18 percent because of disabilities prior to age 65. In 2014, South Carolina ranked 25th in spending per beneficiary, at $10,298 per enrollee.
Approximately 36.6 percent of those with Original Medicare insurance in South Carolina had Medigap policies.
Each Medicare Supplement plan in South Carolina offers specific benefits and costs a different amount. To find the best plan for you, you must evaluate your current and projected healthcare needs and budget.
- In South Carolina, Medicare Supplement Plan G is the most popular plan for 2022.
- Plan G doesn’t have a deductible, but you will have to pay the Part B deductible, which is $233 in 2022.
- Medicare Supplement Insurance plans in South Carolina are also known as Medigap plans.