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Senior Medicare Advantage plan insurance in Florence, 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 Florence 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 Florence
- Important Information About Senior Supplement Plan Insurance
- Senior Medicare Advantage Plan Insurance in Florence, 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 Florence
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 Florence 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 Florence, 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 Florence. 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 Near Me Florence, SC
A new pizza and wings restaurant is coming to Florence this summer
Kaylee Hewitthttps://www.postandcourier.com/pee-dee/news/florence-sc-restaurant-big-daddys-pizza-wings/article_5e0ba9c2-2887-42c5-9c7e-ce6368f83559.html
FLORENCE — Pizza, subs, pasta, salads, breadsticks — you name it and Big Daddy’s Pizza and Wings has it. Now, the Hartsville-based pizza joint is coming to Florence.The restaurant is expanding with a new location in Florence. The new spot is set to open at the beginning of August, owner Upen Patel said.The restaurant serves up familiar pizzas s...
FLORENCE — Pizza, subs, pasta, salads, breadsticks — you name it and Big Daddy’s Pizza and Wings has it. Now, the Hartsville-based pizza joint is coming to Florence.
The restaurant is expanding with a new location in Florence. The new spot is set to open at the beginning of August, owner Upen Patel said.
The restaurant serves up familiar pizzas such as pepperoni, cheese, veggie and Hawaiian. Specialty pizzas are options as well, with unique combinations such as the BBQ chicken grilled pizza or the meatball pizza. Pan pizzas are offered with some of the same toppings in smaller portions.
On the long list of pizza toppings at Big Daddy's Pizza and Wings, Patel’s favorites include onion and green peppers.
“Hey, I’m a vegetarian,” Patel said.
For customers who aren’t craving pizza, the restaurant will offer a variety of sub sandwiches, wings, pastas and salads. From chicken alfredo to Italian subs to grilled chicken salads, the menu offers a range of dishes.
Big Daddy’s Pizza and Wings also offers garlic toast, savory and sweet breadsticks, and a variety of takes on cheesy bread.
The restaurant does not use frozen items in their menu items, Patel said, which is something that they believe in.
“We don't add any chemicals or any preservatives,” said Patel.
Originally opened in July 2022, Big Daddy’s Pizza and Wings has served the Hartsville community for several years and will continue to do so in Florence.
With the opening of a second location, Patel hopes to join the growing number of businesses and restaurants opening up in Florence.
Despite how daunting joining the growing restaurant scene in Florence might seem, Patel is not scared, but rather excited to open his second storefront.
“There’s so many new jobs coming over there, houses, buildings,” said Patel. “Florence is booming right now.”
Florence food truck park owners say road construction is hurting business
Tonya Brownhttps://wpde.com/news/local/florence-food-truck-park-owners-say-road-construction-is-hurting-business-eats-on-the-creek-vendors-south-carolina-department-transportation
Florence food truck park owners are complaining that road construction is hurting their business. (Credit: WPDE)FLORENCE, S.C. (WPDE) — Florence food truck park owners are complaining that road construction is hurting their business.Kaylea and Wade Holt have owned 'Eats On the Creek' at the corner of Holly Circle and West Palmetto Street in Florence for nearly a year.The Holts have a food truck business and wanted a hub where other vendors could gather.That was the whole reason we bought this place....
Florence food truck park owners are complaining that road construction is hurting their business. (Credit: WPDE)
FLORENCE, S.C. (WPDE) — Florence food truck park owners are complaining that road construction is hurting their business.
Kaylea and Wade Holt have owned 'Eats On the Creek' at the corner of Holly Circle and West Palmetto Street in Florence for nearly a year.
The Holts have a food truck business and wanted a hub where other vendors could gather.
That was the whole reason we bought this place.," said Kaylea Holt. "We wanted to create a place run by vendors, because we know what they need.
The Holts said from March through December is their peak season, but right now their business is down, and they said it has to do with road construction on Holly Circle.
The South Carolina Department of Transportation will close and detour Holly Circle in Florence County for roadway improvements beginning May 29. This closure is expected to last until November.
As part of this closure, a signed detour route will be set up.
A map of the detour can be found below. Please note that Holly Circle will be open to local traffic only.
SCDOT asks that drivers slow down and pay attention when driving near the work zone.
The overview of the project reads:
The proposed improvements will widen and flatten the curve on Holly Circle Road, provide turn lanes, and a new traffic signal at the 2nd Loop Road intersection. The addition of sidewalks will also be included for this project. The purpose and need is to improve operations at both the intersections of Holly Circle at US 76 and Holly Circle at SC 51. The secondary purpose is to correct geometric and the horizontal curve on Holly Circle.
The Holts said they understand the importance and need for the construction project, but were totally caught off guard by it.
We didn’t know this happening until signs started showing up," they said. "And we saw the sign that said Holly Circle closed. And so there was no communication. There was no communication.
She said business went down 50% the first week of construction and then another 64% the following week.
The owners said people are confused as to if Holly Circle is open because of the signs that read "Road Closed to Thru Traffic" and "Detour."
The portion where Holly Circle meets West Palmetto is open, but is closed at the intersection of Second Loop Road.
They have no access. I recognize West Palmetto Street is open, but when you’re asking someone to reroute their entire way just to get here. And they’re passing all these other places, that are way more convenient to get into it. Makes it hard for them to come all the way back around. And add seven minutes to their commute. DOT has got to do a better job of communicating with us. And creating ease of access to this place that that has been here for several years. We’re vendors are relying on the Traffic. To sustain them.
They have a lot of questions regarding the timing of the project.
Our question why couldn’t this have been a night? Why couldn’t this have been a night project," said Wade Holt. "And they can’t seem to answer that question.
Kaylea questioned why officials chose this time of year to do this construction.
Why do we choose this time of year to start? Why did we not be a night project?" said Kaylea. "Why were the local business owners not communicated with with? Why were there no conversations? This is the only open business on this road. They did not take that into consideration. There are several questions that we just want to answers to. I don’t want excuses. If the answer is a hard answer and it’s not a likable one. It’s still an answer. We just want some communication and some conversation about it. So, that we don’t go from now until the end of the year suffering.
ABC 15 reached out to SCDOT regarding the business owners' concerns.
The department said the road closed signs that are on the shoulder of Holly Circle at the intersection of US 76 (Palmetto Street) read, "Road Closed to Thru Traffic," meaning the road is open to local traffic and drivers going to the food truck court are free to do so. The signs are part of our traffic control plan.
SCDOT said the roadwork is being done during the day because it has been deemed the safest and most efficient option.
Officials said there was a community meeting that was held on Sep.14, 2023, that alerted community members of the project, and a press release that was sent out a week before construction began.
The release stated the road was open to local traffic and included a map.
ABC 15 also found information on SCDOT's website that was shared two years ago, showing information about the project and its purpose.
There was also a comment period on the project from Aug. 31, 2023 until Sep. 28, 2023.
The Holts said at the time SCDOT released all the information, they didn't own the business.
They're asking the community to continue to support businesses in the food truck park.
As a community, we’ve got to bind together to support these local businesses, who are here for a reason. You know, this community wasn’t built on the Walmarts of the world," said Kaylea. It was built on the small mom and pop businesses. And then they forged a path, for the Walmarts of the world to come in.
Florence's upcoming EV battery plant paused construction tied to 1,600 jobs but plans to finish
Abby Ann Ramseyhttps://www.postandcourier.com/pee-dee/news/aesc-construction-pause-florence-south-carolina/article_45058c06-8610-4d8a-b7c0-5056a0bc31d0.html
FLORENCE — AESC's electric vehicle battery plant is pausing construction at its Florence site due to policy and market uncertainties, according to a statement from the company.The $1.6 billion Pee Dee ...
FLORENCE — AESC's electric vehicle battery plant is pausing construction at its Florence site due to policy and market uncertainties, according to a statement from the company.
The $1.6 billion Pee Dee factory was on track to employ 1,620 workers at full capacity. The Japanese manufacturer, also known as Envision Automotive Energy Supply Co,. announced the investment in late 2022 as part of a plan to supply batteries for electric cars to be built at BMW's Upstate campus and in Mexico.
“AESC has informed the state of South Carolina and our local partners that due to policy and market uncertainty, we are pausing construction at our South Carolina facility at this time," Brad Grantham, a spokesperson with AESC said in the June 5 statement.
The company said it plans to resume construction "once circumstances stabilize."
"AESC fully intends to meet our commitments to invest $1.6 billion and create 1,600 jobs in the coming years," Grantham said.
The decision to halt work "is not in the best interest of the project and moving forward," said Gregg Robinson, CEO of the Florence County Economic Development Partnership.
"However, we are committed to working closely with AESC, the customer, meaning ... BMW, as well as the state of South Carolina, to really understand the full scope of their revised timeline so that we can understand the long term viability of the project for the community's sake," he said.
Robinson said he's not concerned about AESC fulfilling its commitments to the Florence region.
"They've invested over a billion dollars, and I know they're committed to completing their commitments of $1.6 billion and 1,600 jobs," Robinson said.
The company previously paused “Facility 2,” an expansion of the site at the Florence Global Technology Park that would have been a $1.5 billion investment and would have created an additional 1,080 local jobs. AESC had not begun hiring when that phase of the project was put on hold, according to previous reports.
A spokesperson with AESC told The Post and Courier in February that Facility 1 was still on schedule to begin production next year.
A spokesperson couldn't be reached for further comment June 5.
Full statement from Brad Grantham, AESC spokesperson:
“AESC has informed the state of South Carolina and our local partners that due to policy and market uncertainty, we are pausing construction at our South Carolina facility at this time. AESC has invested over $1 billion into the Florence facility, and we anticipate being able to resume construction once circumstances stabilize. AESC fully intends to meet our commitments to invest $1.6 billion and create 1,600 jobs in the coming years.”
$4M grant to fund renovations at troubled Florence complex
E. Louise Kellyhttps://wpde.com/news/local/florence-housing-authority-receives-over-4m-grant-from-sc
FLORENCE, S.C. (WPDE) — The Housing Authority of Florence (FHA) received a Public Housing Capital Fund Program grant from SC Housing on Thursday.According to the FHA, the grant totals $4,163,347.87 and will be put toward the total cost of renovating Creekside Village Apartments, fixing the roof at Church Hill Apartments and paving several streets at Pine Acres Apartments in Pamplico, SC.The FHA announced that it was planning to renovate Creekside Apartments in January.The renovations were announced following the di...
FLORENCE, S.C. (WPDE) — The Housing Authority of Florence (FHA) received a Public Housing Capital Fund Program grant from SC Housing on Thursday.
According to the FHA, the grant totals $4,163,347.87 and will be put toward the total cost of renovating Creekside Village Apartments, fixing the roof at Church Hill Apartments and paving several streets at Pine Acres Apartments in Pamplico, SC.
The FHA announced that it was planning to renovate Creekside Apartments in January.
The renovations were announced following the discovery of dangerous mold at the complex in December 2022.
After discovering the mold, the Housing Authority of Florence declared the Creekside Apartment complex uninhabitable, closed the facility down, and moved all its residents to hotels.
FHA Executive Director Dr. Al Bradley said the plan at the time was to demolish the building and relocate all of its residents to permanent housing as units became available within the authority’s other properties.
However, the cost to house 84 residents in local hotels and provide food vouchers and bus passes was more than $200,000 per month to the agency.
Bradley said he “created a culture of cooperation and teamwork amongst agency staff, which made it possible for two agency departments (Section 8 and Public Housing) to address the Creekside problem in a new way."
Bradley said the number of Creekside residents staying in hotels quickly dwindled from 84 to 27 by September of 2023. He added by November 2023 there were just five Creekside residents residing in hotels.
By January of 2025, no residents remained in hotels.
Bradley said he hired an engineering firm to assess the Creekside facility, and it determined that the building was salvageable.
Engineers from 1919 Architects developed a plan to renovate the facility and put out bids for a construction company to make the needed repairs, he added.
A construction company was selected in October and received the Notice to Proceed with Work on the Creekside Village apartments earlier this year.
The renovation work began in February, and repairs are expected to be completed by August.
All of the former residents of Creekside Village Apartments will have the opportunity to return to Creekside as residents.
New VA clinic opens in Florence
Tonya Brownhttps://wpde.com/news/local/new-va-clinic-opens-in-florence-veterans-affairs-medical-center
FLORENCE S.C. (WPDE) — The Columbia VA Health Care System has opened its new Florence Community-Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC), this week at 1380 Celebration Blvd. in Florence, according to a news release.The new clinic spans more than 22,000 square feet—over three times the size of the current facility.Officials said the expanded space allows for increased access to a wide range of services, including primary care, mental health, social work, laboratory services, and more.“This new facility reflects ou...
FLORENCE S.C. (WPDE) — The Columbia VA Health Care System has opened its new Florence Community-Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC), this week at 1380 Celebration Blvd. in Florence, according to a news release.
The new clinic spans more than 22,000 square feet—over three times the size of the current facility.
Officials said the expanded space allows for increased access to a wide range of services, including primary care, mental health, social work, laboratory services, and more.
“This new facility reflects our commitment to expanding access to quality care for Veterans in the Pee Dee region,” said Acting Medical Center Director David "Brett" Vess. “We are proud to offer a modern space that will allow us to better serve our Veterans closer to where they live with the respect, compassion, and excellence they have earned through their service.”
The new clinic was designed to enhance the Veteran experience by offering more room, additional services, and improved efficiency in care delivery.
Veterans currently receiving care at the existing Florence clinic will be transitioned to the new location. The facility is expected to serve thousands of Veterans each year from across the surrounding counties.
For more information about what’s going on at the Veterans medical center, clinic locations, and other services available to Veterans in and around Columbia, visit the website.
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