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Senior Medicare Advantage plan insurance in Columbia, SC
Trying to pick a health insurance plan can be a chore for anyone. For many people, just mentioning the word "open enrollment" sends shivers down the spine. It seems like there's always a nagging feeling that you're wasting money, choosing a plan with poor in-network care, or both. One would think that health insurance gets easier as you approach retirement age, but the truth is that picking an initial Medicare coverage plan can be daunting.
Unfortunately, the confusing process of signing up for Medicare causes many seniors to forego healthcare coverage altogether. After all, Medicare enrollment can involve several federal agencies, including the Social Security Administration (or SSA) and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (or CMS).
At Senior Medicare Insurance Services, our passion is guiding seniors through the confusion of Medicare. That way, they can enjoy retirement with peace of mind knowing they are protected and ready for life after 65. We work with dozens of insurance companies, giving our clients the chance to choose a plan that best fits their lifestyle.
We choose to design our senior insurance plans with a focus on optimal benefits structure, lower costs, and personalized service. Some independent insurance agencies see their aging customers as nothing more than a financial transaction waiting to happen. In contrast, we treat each of our clients with respect and dignity as we help them navigate the confusing waters of Medicare. Combined with individualized service, we help older Americans make well-informed decisions about insurance. Whether you're in need of senior Medicare Supplement Plan insurance in Columbia or simply have questions about signing up for Medicare, our team is here to help.
- Helping Seniors Make Better-Informed Medicare Decisions
- What is Medicare?
- The amount of money you pay for your health care depends on several factors, including
- Senior Medicare Supplement Plan Insurance in Columbia
- Important Information About Senior Supplement Plan Insurance
- Senior Medicare Advantage Plan Insurance in Columbia, SC
- How Medicare Advantage Plans Work
- Medicare Advantage Plan Insurance Rules
- Paying for Your Senior Medicare Advantage Plan Insurance
- The Senior Medicare Insurance Services Commitment
What is Medicare?
If you're approaching the golden years of your life, it's important you understand what Medicare is if you don't already.
Medicare is a federal health insurance program reserved for people older than 65 who have worked full-time for at least ten years. The Medicare program is paid for by a combination of worker payroll tax, premiums paid by Medicare enrollees, and the U.S. government.
There are four parts of Medicare:
This type of Medicare is free for most U.S. citizens. Medicare Part A helps older adults pay for care in a nursing facility, hospital visits, and some forms of in-home senior care.
This tier costs around $100 per month. It covers different outpatient services like lab tests, preventative care, doctor's visits, mental health care, clinical trials, and some forms of surgery.
This type of Medicare is most often called Medicare Advantage. This tier of Medicare allows seniors to choose health plans provided by insurance companies like Senior Medicare Insurance Services. Individuals who use Medicare Advantage commonly use Medicare supplement plan insurance to help pay for health care costs that Original Medicare won't cover, like coinsurance, deductibles, and copayments.
Sometimes called "PDPs," these plans add drug coverage to standard Medicare, some Medicare Private Fee-for-Service Plans (PFFS), some Medicare Cost Plans, and Medicare Medical Savings Account Plans (MSA).
The amount of money you pay for your health care depends on several factors, including:
- What kind of care you need, and how often it is needed.
- The type of Medicare coverage you choose.
- Whether there are alternative insurance policies that will help fill gaps in your coverage
- Whether a doctor agrees to charge you the same amount that Medicare will cover for a medical service
At Senior Medicare Insurance Services, we offer a number of health insurance solutions for seniors. Two of our most used services include Medicare Advantage plan insurance and Medicare supplement plan insurance.
Senior Medicare Supplement Plan Insurance in Columbia
Sometimes called Medigap, the purpose of Medicare Supplement Insurance is to help fill in "gaps" that might not be covered by Original Medicare. You can think of a Medigap policy as a supplement for your Original Medicare benefits.
Private companies like Senior Medicare Insurance Services sell this type of insurance right here in South Carolina. While Original Medicare will pay for much of the cost associated with health care services you need, it may not cover all of your expenses. Generally, Medigap policies do not cover costs stemming from eyeglasses, private-duty nurses, dental care, hearing aids, or long-term care.
Depending on the Medicare Supplement Plan that you choose, it may cover out-of-the-country medical services when you travel abroad. Assuming you have Original Medicare coverage, your policy will cover its share of Medicare-approved health care costs. Once your Original Medicare coverage reaches its limit, your Medigap policy will pay its share of the fees.
Our Medigap policies are drafted to meet your specific needs, and can help cover remaining health care costs such as:
Deductibles
Copayments
Coinsurance
Important Information About Senior Supplement Plan Insurance
To dispel some confusion, you should know that a Medigap policy is not the same as a Medicare Advantage Plan. The latter helps you receive Medicare benefits, while the former supplements the benefits you obtain through your Original Medicare plan. As you begin to explore Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans, keep the following important information in mind:
As you begin to explore Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans, keep the following important information in mind:
- To qualify for a Medigap policy, you must first have Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B.
- Payments on your Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan will be made to the private insurance company that you choose, like Senior Medicare Insurance Services. These payments are made every month and are paid in addition to the monthly payment you make for Medicare Part B.
- If you are the holder of a Medicare Advantage Plan, it is illegal for an insurance company to sell you a senior Medicare Supplement Policy. If you plan on switching back to an Original Medicare plan, you may be able to purchase a Medigap policy.
- If you have health problems as you age, your standardized Medigap policy is guaranteed to be renewable. So long as you pay your monthly premium, your insurance provider cannot cancel your policy.
- Medigap policies only cover one person. If you have a spouse or family member that would like coverage, they must purchase a separate policy.
- You may only buy a Senior Medicare Supplement Plan from an insurance agent that is licensed to sell them in your state. Senior Medicare Insurance Services has been licensed to sell Medigap policies in South Carolina for years. We have helped countless seniors get the Medicare coverage they need and continue to do so to this day.
- In the past, Medigap policies were able to cover costs related to prescription drugs. As of January 1st, 2006, prescription drug coverage is not available on Medicare Supplement Plans. The best way to get coverage for your prescription drugs is to join a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan, often called Part D. Contact our office today to learn more about paying premiums on Medigap and Medicare plans.
For many people, the best time to buy senior Medicare Supplement Plan Insurance in Columbia is during the 7 months Medigap Open Enrollment Period. This period starts the day you turn 65 years old, so long as you hold Medical Insurance (Medicare Part B). Generally, during the enrollment period, you get more policy choices and better pricing. Once the enrollment period is over, you may not be able to purchase a Medigap policy. Contact Senior Medicare Insurance Services today to determine if you qualify for a Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan.
Senior Medicare Advantage Plan Insurance in Columbia, SC
A Medicare Advantage Plan is a kind of Medicare health coverage designed to provide seniors with all their Part A and Part B Medicare benefits. Many Medicare Advantage Plans will often include coverage of the following:
- Preferred Provider Organizations
- Special Needs Plans
- Private Fee-for-Service
- Medicare Medical Savings Account Plans
- Health Maintenance Organizations
In addition, most Medicare Advantage Plans give seniors coverage for their prescription drug needs. When you enroll in a Medicare Advantage Plan through Senior Medicare Insurance Services, your Medicare benefits are covered through your plan and will not be paid for by traditional Medicare.
How Medicare Advantage Plans Work
Sometimes called "MA Plans" or "Part C," Medicare Advantage Plans are considered an "all in one" solution to Original Medicare. Senior Medicare Advantage Plans are only offered by private companies that are approved, like Senior Medicare Insurance Services. Seniors who enroll in a Medicare Advantage Plan are still on Medicare. However, these individuals enjoy bundled plans that give seniors the benefits of hospital insurance (Medicare Part A), medical insurance (Medicare Part B), and sometimes drug coverage (Part D).
Medicare Advantage Plans are very popular because they cover all Medicare services and make life a little easier for seniors who have trouble understanding the nuances of Medicare.
When you contact Senior Medicare Insurance Services to choose your Medicare Advantage Plan, ask your agent about Medicare prescription drug coverage. Unless you already have drug coverage (Part D), you should seriously consider Part D coverage to help reduce costs associated with prescription drugs. You may also want to consider a Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan to help fill gaps in coverage that Original Medicare will not cover.
Medicare Advantage Plan Insurance Rules
Medicare works by paying a set amount of money to the companies that offer senior Medicare Advantage Plan insurance in Columbia. That money is used to pay for the care services that you need. Because Medicare Advantage Plans are different, you should expect out-of-pocket costs to vary depending on the plan you choose.
Different plans have different rules for how you receive services, such as:
If you must go to facilities, suppliers, or doctors that belong to your Advantage Plan for non-urgent and non-emergency care.-
Whether you must get a referral to see a specialized doctor
Companies that offer Medicare Advantage Plans must follow strict rules, which are set by Medicare and can change every year.
Paying for Your Senior Medicare Advantage Plan Insurance
How much you pay for your Medicare Advantage Plan varies and depends on a few different factors. In most cases, if you need a kind of medical service, you will need to rely on the doctors and providers in your plan's service area and network to pay the lowest amounts. In some cases, if you choose to use a service outside of your plan's network of coverage, you may have to pay out-of-pocket.
We encourage you to contact our office today to learn more about Medicare Advantage Plans, how they work, what your options are, and how often you will have to pay out-of-pocket, if at all.
The Senior Medicare Insurance Services Commitment
Since our company was founded, we have led the insurance industry by providing our clients with the most valuable, helpful insurance solutions available. We are fully committed to our current and prospective clients by:
Choosing to focus on personalized, one-on-one service. When you work with our team, know that we will always design your health insurance plan with your best interests in mind.-
Listening to your specific needs. -
Responding to all inquiries and questions promptly and with a friendly attitude. -
Providing you with the best customer service in the senior health insurance industry, whether you have questions or are ready to move forward with a Medicare plan.
Our mission is to help give seniors the best Medicare assistance available so that they may understand the Medicare process and make an informed health coverage decision. We have the knowledge, skills, and experience to assist anyone interested in Medicare. Our personal goal is to become a lifetime resource for our clients and give them greater confidence in choosing their insurance plans.
We do not offer every plan available in your area. Currently we represent 8 organizations which offer 82 products in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) to get information on all of your options.
Latest News in Columbia, SC
Biscuit time draws near: Here’s when Columbia’s first Tupelo Honey will open its doors
Chris Trainorhttps://www.thestate.com/news/local/article298305678.html
It’s a “Honey” of a date.Tupelo Honey Southern Kitchen and Bar, which has locations across the U.S., will open its first Columbia restaurant on Feb. 3, the company said in a release. It will be located at 2138 Pickens St. in the BullStreet District. The Tupelo Honey will be on the ground floor of the Bennet at BullStreet apartment development, next door to Segra Park.“Being a Southern brand, it’s always a thrill when we can expand our presence to more friends in the South,” Tupelo Honey chief...
It’s a “Honey” of a date.
Tupelo Honey Southern Kitchen and Bar, which has locations across the U.S., will open its first Columbia restaurant on Feb. 3, the company said in a release. It will be located at 2138 Pickens St. in the BullStreet District. The Tupelo Honey will be on the ground floor of the Bennet at BullStreet apartment development, next door to Segra Park.
“Being a Southern brand, it’s always a thrill when we can expand our presence to more friends in the South,” Tupelo Honey chief operating officer Caroline Skinner said in a statement. “We are equally as excited to be part of the incredibly unique BullStreet District that reflects the spirit of downtown Columbia in a fresh, exciting way.
“We know we’re joining what is not only a great culinary community but a thriving business district in the heart of the city that’s helping put Columbia on the map.”
Beyond the Feb. 3 opening, Tupelo Honey will have a ribbon cutting celebration at 10:30 a.m. Feb. 13, with the first 50 guests that day getting free entrees. There also will be free biscuits all day on Feb. 13.
Tupelo Honey has a strong presence in the Southeast, and currently has South Carolina locations in Greenville and Myrtle Beach. The restaurant is known for its brunch and dinner offerings, as well as cocktails and more. It’s menu features everything from fluffy biscuits with blueberry jam and whipped butter to avocado toast and eggs to chicken and waffles to burgers and beyond.
The company describes itself in a release as “a revival and celebration of Southern food and Appalachian traditions rooted in the Carolina Mountains.”
The BullStreet location will be the 24th Tupelo Honey nationwide. The Columbia restaurant will occupy more than 6,300 square feet and will have indoor and outdoor dining space. More than 100 people are being hired to work at the restaurant.
The State
Chris Trainor is a retail reporter for The State and has been working for newspapers in South Carolina for more than 20 years, including previous stops at the (Greenwood) Index-Journal and the (Columbia) Free Times. He is the winner of numerous South Carolina Press Association awards, including honors in column writing, government beat reporting, profile writing, food writing, business beat reporting, election coverage, social media and more.
Tornado watch issued for Columbia area as severe thunderstorms are forecast to hit SC
Noah Feithttps://www.thestate.com/news/weather-news/article297712893.html
A tornado watch was issued Sunday for the Columbia area and much of South Carolina, according to the National Weather Service.The tornado watch, which went into effect early Sunday, is scheduled to run through 1 p.m., the National Weather Service said....
A tornado watch was issued Sunday for the Columbia area and much of South Carolina, according to the National Weather Service.
The tornado watch, which went into effect early Sunday, is scheduled to run through 1 p.m., the National Weather Service said.
Both Richland and Lexington counties were included in the tornado watch. Other Midlands counties listed in the tornado watch were Kershaw, Newberry, Lee, Calhoun, Clarendon, Fairfield, Orangeburg, Saluda and Sumter — among other areas in across South Carolina.
Columbia, Lexington, West Columbia and Irmo were also areas in the Midlands where a severe thunderstorm warning was issued, according to the National Weather Service. The warning for Lexington and Irmo is active through 9 a.m., while it’s in effect until 9:45 a.m. for Columbia and West Columbia.
The greatest threat of severe thunderstorms in the Columbia area is between 9 and 11 a.m., National Weather Service meteorologists said in a morning briefing. A limited threat of severe weather remains in the afternoon, but is forecast to dissipate after 6 p.m., according to the briefing.
In addition to tornadoes, the thunderstorms could include other severe weather effects, such as damaging wind gusts, hail and some street flooding, according to the briefing. Significant flash flooding is not expected, the National Weather Service said.
A lake wind advisory was also issued and will run through 6 p.m., according to the National Weather Service. Winds from 10-15 mph are expected, while some gusts could reach 30 mph, the National Weather Service said.
Powerful winds and tornadoes could cause considerable damage to trees and branches, in addition to mobile homes, roofs and outbuildings. Vehicles would also be under siege in the case of a tornado.
Damage to trees and branches creates the possibility of downed power lines and outages.
There is a 100% chance of rain in the Columbia area, and up to 2 inches of precipitation could be recorded, according to the forecast. Localized amounts in other areas could be higher.
Temperatures could reach the high 60s, where they could return on Monday and Tuesday, when conditions are expected to be mostly sunny, with only a slight chance of afternoon showers, the forecast shows.
For those looking to celebrate New Year’s Eve, a low temperature of 43 degrees is forecast for Tuesday night. New Year’s Day is expected to be cool, with a high temperature of 59 degrees, but sunny, according to the forecast.
In a breaking news situation, facts can be unclear and the situation may still be developing. The State is trying to get important information to the public as quickly and accurately as possible. This story will be updated as more information becomes available, and some information in this story may change as the facts become clearer. Refresh this page later for more updated information.
This story was originally published December 29, 2024, 8:48 AM.
How and where to celebrate New Years in Columbia, Sc
Samantha Robertsonhttps://colatoday.6amcity.com/events/how-and-where-to-celebrate-new-years-in-columbia-sc
We’ve shared holiday markets, pop-up bars, where to see festive lights, and where to enjoy the holiday season around town. As 2024’s days continue to dwindle, we’re sharing several New Year’s Eve celebrations.Columbia’s Comedy Countdown | The Corley ...
We’ve shared holiday markets, pop-up bars, where to see festive lights, and where to enjoy the holiday season around town. As 2024’s days continue to dwindle, we’re sharing several New Year’s Eve celebrations.
Columbia’s Comedy Countdown | The Corley Mill House will host some of the best comedians in the southeast to celebrate 2025. Enjoy comedy shows — including headliner Sean Finnerty, who has appeared on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, Comedy Central, and more — drinks, food from Shealy’s BBQ, free parking, champagne at midnight, party favors, and more. Doors open at 9 p.m. + tickets start at $100.
The Drop on Main | Ring in 2025 on the 1600 block of Main Street. From exclusive ticketed events to a lively free block party, this will be the ultimate destination for New Year’s Eve celebrations. See a lineup of events.
German New Year | Be home before bedtime and celebrate 2025 at 6 p.m. — midnight in Germany — at Bierkeller Columbia. For $99, grub on a four-course German meal, two drinks, and a Sekt toast (German sparkling wine) at “midnight.”
New Year’s Eve at Market on Main | Treat yourself to a three-course dinner, live entertainment, and watch the ball drop live on the jumbotron. Enjoy a complimentary champagne toast, sparklers, an open bar, and more. Tickets are limited + start at $150.
Night of Noir and Neon at Savage Craft Ale Works | Savage Craft Ale Works is celebrate the building’s illustrious 100-year Obsidian Anniversary in grand style. Think black tie meets bold electric hues, sleek suits, gowns, and pops of neon accessories. Dance the night away with four DJs, a 360° photobooth, dance floors, UV lighting, and more.
NYE 2024 at Transmission Arcade | This limited-ticket event includes a multi-course buffet, specialty cocktails, a champagne toast at midnight, free play arcade games all night, and a skee-ball tournament with prizes.
Columbia gets $204M federal windfall to reroute trains that often gnarl downtown roads
Morgan Hugheshttps://www.thestate.com/news/local/article298314003.html
Columbia just got a windfall of federal dollars that should finally cover most, if not all, of the costs to reroute trains away from vehicle traffic around downtown.The long-wished-for project will get $204 million from the Federal Railroad Administration, Congressman James Clyburn announced Friday while joined by members of Columbia City Council and South Carolina Department of Transportation Secretary Justin Powell.Columbia officials have dreamed of separating the railroads from the roadways for more than a century. They&rsqu...
Columbia just got a windfall of federal dollars that should finally cover most, if not all, of the costs to reroute trains away from vehicle traffic around downtown.
The long-wished-for project will get $204 million from the Federal Railroad Administration, Congressman James Clyburn announced Friday while joined by members of Columbia City Council and South Carolina Department of Transportation Secretary Justin Powell.
Columbia officials have dreamed of separating the railroads from the roadways for more than a century. They’ve been raising money for the work since the early 1990s.
“What is going to happen when all of this is done, we will have cured that problem that has been there forever,” Clyburn said. “Getting trains to move as they should.”
There are more than a dozen railroad crossings in around downtown Columbia, mostly focused down Assembly Street where seemingly unending freight trains roll through with little warning, causing major traffic backups in one of the city’s busiest areas.
Previously, officials estimated the project would cost upwards of $200 million. Now, that estimate ranges from $265 to $305 million, depending on exactly how the trains are rerouted.
In total, the transportation department has $279 million for the work, including some other federal dollars, $35 million from South Carolina, $25 million from the next iteration of the Richland County penny tax fund and $5 million from the city of Columbia’s general fund.
The news of the federal money comes as the state Department of Transportation is about to finalize its choice for the best way to reroute that train traffic away from vehicles.
In early December, the department showed residents the final three options for rerouting that traffic would look like. All of the plans call for a dramatic reshaping of a portion of downtown, including building new bridges and relocating homes and bridges.
The department has been collecting public input on those plans for the last month. In March, it will host a public hearing to unveil the final plan. Whatever plan they pick will mean major construction once work begins.
“We are talking about a monumental project,” Columbia Mayor Daniel Rickenmann said at the Friday press conference, adding that the construction will certainly have some impact on residents but that it will ultimately transform Columbia.
“This is a game changer for Columbia,” Rickenmann said. “It opens up the gateway, it opens up the whole realm of our downtown city, It makes us an urban center.”
But just because the money to cover at least most of the work is now on the table doesn’t mean residents will see construction any time soon.
Rickenmann said he and other city officials will be having conversations with the transportation department and project leaders to find ways to minimize the impacts the project construction is sure to have. For example, one of the rerouting plans involves building a bridge either for vehicles or for railroad tracks. Rickenmann said there’s a potential that bridge would be built off-site and then transported to its final site.
But residents have a few years before they need to worry about that, he added.
The Department of Transportation will still need to get some federal approvals, including complying with the National Environmental Policy Act, and then it will begin designing the work in earnest.
The State
Morgan Hughes covers Columbia news for The State. She previously reported on health, education and local governments in Wyoming. She has won awards in Wyoming and Wisconsin for feature writing and investigative journalism. Her work has also been recognized by the South Carolina Press Association.
Live Updates: Gov. McMaster declares state of emergency as winter weather hits SC
Bristow Marchanthttps://www.thestate.com/news/weather-news/article298307423.html
COLUMBIA, SCWhile officials warned of power outages later into Friday evening, as of 2 p.m. only around 1,400 homes, or less than 1% of the state, were without power. The largest amount of homes without power, at over 500 homes, was concentrated in Lexington County. Only one home was without power in Richland.Meanwhile, Prisma Health, which operates hospitals and doctors’ practices across the Midlands, has closed all of its me...
COLUMBIA, SC
While officials warned of power outages later into Friday evening, as of 2 p.m. only around 1,400 homes, or less than 1% of the state, were without power. The largest amount of homes without power, at over 500 homes, was concentrated in Lexington County. Only one home was without power in Richland.
Meanwhile, Prisma Health, which operates hospitals and doctors’ practices across the Midlands, has closed all of its medical practices as of noon, Prisma Health said in a news release. Its hospitals remain open.
Gov. Henry McMaster declared a state of emergency for South Carolina Friday afternoon.
”Our state’s emergency teams are fully prepared, and this State of Emergency will provide them additional support to respond to the winter weather moving across our state,” McMaster said in a statement.
The state’s public safety department urged people to avoid unnecessary travel. The S.C. Department of Transportation began preparing roads and highways for the winter weather Wednesday and will have staff and equipment set up around the state, the governor’s office said in a press release Friday.
”We’ve faced snow and ice storms in the past, and we are fully prepared to respond to any requests for assistance from our local emergency managers,” Kim Stenson, director of the South Carolina Emergency Management Division, said.
At an 11 a.m. briefing, the National Weather Service gave an update to conditions expected along parts of the Interstate 20 corridor and further north, as meteorologists anticipate roads in those areas could exceed a quarter inch of ice.
The initial sleet and snowfall in Columbia and surrounding areas was more than NWS initially predicted.
“We knew we were going to have an impactful winter weather event. This initial batch earlier this morning wasn’t expected to be quite as intense as it is,” John Quagliariello, a meterologist for NWS in Columbia, said at a briefing Friday morning.
The change in the forecast was due to two main factors: higher amounts of precipitation than expected and below freezing temperatures, Quagilariello explained.
As anticipated, road conditions are expected to worsen throughout Friday afternoon and into the evening as a wintry mix continues to fall. Meterologists predict the sleet will turn to rain as temperatures warm above freezing Saturday morning. As of 10:30 a.m. Friday, most of the sleet and snowfall for the Aiken and Augusta area had already occurred and was set to move into the Columbia area in the afternoon.
The COMET bus system has announced it will suspend transit operations by 4 p.m. due to the winter weather.
The bus service will stop running its routes including the USC transit system at that time because of expected poor conditions, the COMET said in a news release.
Routes will continue to operate as normal until that time. Pickups for the inclement weather center will begin at 2 p.m. at Main and Calhoun. The last outbound trips will leave the COMET’s downtown hub at 4 p.m.
COMET services will also operate on a two-hour delay on Saturday, with a projected start time of 7 a.m.
In addition to local school districts, other closings are rolling in across the Midlands.
Government offices in Richland and Lexington counties are closing at noon Friday by order of S.C. Gov. Henry McMaster. The University of South Carolina will also close its Columbia campus at noon.
The Richland Library closed all its locations at 10:30 a.m. Friday and says it will remain closed until 2 p.m. Saturday. The State Museum is also closed Friday and will reopen at noon Saturday.
The Columbia Metropolitan Airport is operating as normal Friday, but encourages flyers to check the status of their flight in case it changes.
A winter storm warning has gone into effect for 15 Midlands counties as low temperatures and frosty weather roll over South Carolina.
The warning, issued by the National Weather Service, will be in effect until 7 a.m. Saturday. It covers Aiken, Calhoun, Chesterfield, Clarendon, Edgefield, Fairfield, Kershaw, Lancaster, Lee, Lexington, Newberry, Orangeburg, Richland, Saluda and Sumter counties.
Sleeting has already begun in parts of Richland County, and snow was reported in Lexington County early Friday.
Icing on roads and power outages are possible as the storm is expected to pick up in intensity throughout the day Friday and last into the early hours of Saturday morning. The National Weather Service urged extreme caution if you are traveling north of Interstate 20, including Interstates 26 and 77.
Midlands schools districts have moved up their departure times for Friday, with schools in Richland County dismissing all students by noon. Lexington 1 school district sent a text to parents Friday that its dismissal times would move up 30 minutes earlier than previously expected, with all schools now out by 12:15 p.m.
Pleasant Hill Elementary School posted video Friday morning of students playing in the snow as it fell in Lexington.
This story was originally published January 10, 2025 at 10:27 AM.
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