South Carolina Medigap Plans provide additional coverage to help pay for certain expenses that Medicare does not cover. To fill in these gaps, you may consider purchasing a Medicare supplemental policy that assists with paying deductibles and other costs not covered by Medicare. In SC, MedSupp works just like in most states. Learn the key rules.
Medigap Basics
Before purchasing an SC Medigap policy, it’s important to consider the following:
- Keep in mind that different insurance companies may charge different amounts for the exact same Medigap policy, and not all companies offer all Medigap policies.
- In order to buy a Medigap policy, you generally need to have Medicare Part A and Part B. You have the guaranteed right to purchase a Medigap policy if you are in your Medigap open enrollment period or have Medigap protection.
- If you are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Plan, have Medicaid, already have a Medigap policy, or are under 65 and disabled or have End-Stage Renal Disease, you may not be able to purchase a Medigap policy. (Source)
If you are brand new to researching Medigap, please make sure you check out our Senior65.com Medigap Overview page which gives a straightforward explanation of how Medigap works.
Comparing South Carolina Medigap Plans
Comparing Med Supp plans is not as challenging as you may think. While you will see 8 available plans below, the overwhelming majority of all applicants select Plan G because it tends to offer the best coverage at the best price. Some who cannot afford Medigap G will select Plan N but watch out because Plan N does require members to pay for Medicare Excess Charges.
Plans available if you qualified for Medicare after January 1, 2020:
Benefits | A | B | D | G** | K | L | M | N |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Medicare Part A Deductible ($1,632) | 100% | 100% | 100% | 50% | 75% | 50% | 100% | |
Part B Deductible ($240) | ||||||||
Medicare Part A Hospital Coinsurance and 365 additional hospital days | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% |
Medicare Part B Coinsurance | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 50% | 75% | 100% | 100% |
First 3 Pints of Blood for a Transfusion | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 50% | 75% | 100% | 100% |
Medicare Part A Hospice Coinsurance or Copay | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 50% | 75% | 100% | 100% |
Skilled Nursing Facility Coinsurance | 100% | 100% | 50% | 75% | 100% | 100% | ||
Medicare Part B Excess Charges | 100% | |||||||
Foreign Emergency Healthcare | 80% | 80% | 80% | 80% | ||||
Max Out-of-Pocket | $7,060 | $3,530 |
**Medigap Plan G High Deductible is identical coverage with a high deductible of $2,800.
If you were Part B eligible before January 1, 2020, you may be able to enroll in Medigap Plan F.
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When should I apply for an SC Medicare supplement policy?
If you’re 65 years or older or have Medicare Part B coverage due to age or disability, you have a six-month Open Enrollment Period for a Medicare supplement policy. During this period, you have the guarantee of being able to choose a plan and company for your coverage.
It’s important to note that if you don’t enroll during this six-month window, insurance companies can deny coverage based on your health conditions. However, there are limited additional open enrollment periods for individuals disenrolling from a Medicare health maintenance organization (HMO).
That’s why it’s crucial to seek assistance from a licensed independent insurance agent when choosing the appropriate plan during your initial eligibility period. Don’t hesitate to reach out to Senior65.com at 800-930-7956 for guidance and support.
South Carolina Switching Medigap Plans
In your state, AEP Open Enrollment (October 15 to December 7) doesn’t apply to Medigap. If you’re on a Medigap plan and thinking about switching, you can do it whenever you like. But keep in mind, you may have to go through another health evaluation and answer medical questions to get the new plan approved. This process is called “medical underwriting.”
Expect around 20 health questions on the new Med Supp application. Based on your answers, your rate may vary, or you could be declined for certain conditions. For more info on your rights and the rules, take a look at our article, “The Ultimate Guide to Changing Medicare Insurance.”
Get a Medigap Quote Enroll in Medigap
South Carolina Medigap Household Discounts
If you and your spouse both enroll in a Medigap insurance plan from the same provider, you may be eligible for a valuable discount known as the Household Discount. This discount allows you to receive up to a 12% reduction in the total premium. It’s a significant saving that can make a difference in your healthcare expenses. Whether your spouse is already enrolled or you are both new applicants, you can take advantage of this discount and enjoy the benefits of comprehensive coverage at a more affordable price.
Don’t miss out on this opportunity to secure MedSup coverage for you and your spouse while enjoying substantial savings. Contact us at 800-930-7956 to learn more about the Household Discounts and explore the available options from our licensed independent insurance agents. We’ll guide you through the process, help you select the right plan, and ensure you receive the maximum discount.
To see the HH Discount in your area, just get an instant Medigap quote and click on “Apply Household Discount” on the results page.
If you’re looking for another good option, the Roommate Discount is a solid choice with few conditions. Check out all the info in our article: “What is the Medigap Roommate Discount and How do I get it?“.
South Carolina Medicare Part B Excess Charges
Part B Excess charges happen when your doctor bills more than Medicare’s approved amount. If they opt out of the Medicare deal, they can legally charge you up to 15% extra. The upside? Medigap Plan G takes care of all these charges, so your insurance company can handle the extra costs. Find out more in our article “How to Avoid Medicare Excess Charges.”
Next Steps
Now that you know just about everything there is to know about South Carolina Medigap plans, it’s time to review South Carolina Medigap plan pricing.
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