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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, SC 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, SC
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

Senior Medicare Advantage Plan Insurance Florence, SC

Guiding You Through The Confusion of Medicare!

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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, SC

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, SC 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, SC. 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.

This Underrated South Carolina City Hosts The World's Largest Pecan Festival—And So Much More

Every November Florence, South Carolina, gets a little nutty. And this year will be no exception as over 50,000 people are expected to attend the city's annual Pecan Festival on November 1, the largest of its kind in the world.“What started as a small single-block event to bring folks to our downtown and spark ideas and reinvestment has evolved into a nine-block takeover of historic Downtown Florence with exceptional entertainment, food, and fellowship,” says Hannah Davis, Main Street Manager for the Florence Downtown Deve...

“What started as a small single-block event to bring folks to our downtown and spark ideas and reinvestment has evolved into a nine-block takeover of historic Downtown Florence with exceptional entertainment, food, and fellowship,” says Hannah Davis, Main Street Manager for the Florence Downtown Development Corporation.

The small, local festival started in 2003 but grew quickly in popularity and was officially designated as the official South Carolina State Pecan Festival in 2011. This year marks 21 years of celebrating all things pecans for the city.

While this family-friendly festival is just a day, it's worth spending a weekend in this charming little city. Read on for how to get the most out of the festival and your time in town.

Festival Highlights

Entry to the Pecan Festival is free and packed with activities, food and entertainment from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. But if you're feeling extra nutty, you can start your festival experience early by participating in one of the ‘Run Like a Nut’ races ranging from a 5k all the way up to a half marathon.

Other activities throughout the day include blacksmith demonstrations, a classic car show, and a sidewalk chalk decorating competition. Kids will be able to enjoy circus and bubble shows, and have their own afternoon dance party.

But one of the best things about the festival is all of the pecan-inspired food. All of the food vendors are required to serve at least one item containing pecans. Pecan cream funnel cakes are always a fan favorite, and there are a variety of other sweet treats like pecan pie, pecan praline kettle corn, and pecan praline banana pudding. But you'll also find savory pecan items like pecan jerk chicken and loaded pecan sweet potato fries.

Over 40 different entertainment acts will take to one of the nine entertainment stages throughout the day, too. It's one of those festivals where you could easily wander for a few hours or more, and the weather in Florence early November is typically fairly mild in the mid to high 60s, making it a perfect fall weekend activity to plan to go to.

What To Do

But whether you’re in town for the festival or not, there are other great ways to enjoy a weekend in Florence.

Pecans are a big deal in Florence all year round. If you miss the Pecan Festival you can always follow the Pecan Trail around town for local businesses that feature the nut.

There are over twenty stops on the trail, but make sure to stop into Young's to try all sorts of pecans and other Southern delicacies, especially because you can sample most things in the store. The double dipped chocolate pecans are a bestseller, but you'll also find things like cheese straws and boiled peanuts to take home.

This five mile out-and-back path is flat and great for walking, running or biking. Parts of it are shaded, but you'll want a hat for some of the stretches that are more exposed. Start at the entrance behind adventure store Naturally Outdoors and grab a coffee at Bean Bar before your walk, or sit and have a beer at Local Motive Brewery after you're done.

sctrails.net/trails/trail/florence-rail-trail, Trailhead at 2519 W Palmetto St, Florence, SC 29501

There are a number of antique stores around town to find treasures in. Palmetto Peddlers has a collection of vendors selling everything from china sets and silver to furniture and vintage arcade games.

palmettopeddlers.com, 2295 Hoffmeyer Rd. Florence, SC 29501

Where To Eat

Elliott Moss, formerly of Buxton Hall fame, opened his new BBQ spot in his hometown earlier this year. It was recently recognized as one of the South's top 50 barbecue spots for its whole hog 'cue. Have it traditionally served or as part of his BBQ nachos topped with beer cheese.

Kids will be entertained by things like the pinball machines while adults can relax and chat or play a game of pool. Elliott's shares a space with Seminar Brewing. During the Pecan Festival the brewery makes a brown pale ale called Pecans Gone Wild.

Also adjacent to Local Motive Brewing and Bean Bar, Buddy's serves up the best burgers and fries in town. The classic Buddy Burger is two smash patties, but if you’re saving room to sample some of the brown butter pecan ice cream from their sister store Martha's next door, opt for the Lil' Buddy with a single patty.

buddysflorence.com, 2519 W Palmetto St, Florence, SC 2950

This upscale farm-to-table restaurant is centrally located in Downtown Florence. Following the Pecan Festival they'll be serving a special four-course menu featuring pecans with every dish. If you find yourself there outside of the festival try the deviled egg topped with a fried oyster to start before trying the pan seared quail for an entree.

townhallflorence.com, 101 W Evans St, Florence, SC 29501

Pee Dee IceCats sever ties with co-owner four games into inaugural season

FLORENCE COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW) — The Pee Dee IceCats have severed ties with co-owner Parker Moskal four games into its inaugural season.“This decision was made after careful consideration and in the best interest of our players, our fans and the long-term success of professional hockey here in Florence,” owners Kevin Boggs, Kevin Cuppia and Mike Roman said in statement on Wednesday.The Federal Prospects Hockey League team — which has no NHL affiliation — opened its 52-game season Oct. 10 with a 5-2 w...

FLORENCE COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW) — The Pee Dee IceCats have severed ties with co-owner Parker Moskal four games into its inaugural season.

“This decision was made after careful consideration and in the best interest of our players, our fans and the long-term success of professional hockey here in Florence,” owners Kevin Boggs, Kevin Cuppia and Mike Roman said in statement on Wednesday.

The Federal Prospects Hockey League team — which has no NHL affiliation — opened its 52-game season Oct. 10 with a 5-2 win against the Columbus River Dragons at the Florence Center.

Moskal posted a lengthy appreciation on his LinkedIn page following the team’s first game.

“Bringing hockey back to the Pee Dee after all these years has truly been the privilege of a lifetime. The energy in that building reminded me exactly why we do this. Hockey isn’t just a sport, it’s a community. And this is just the beginning,” he wrote.

Team executives didn’t disclose a reason for Moskal’s departure and said they wouldn’t comment further.

“In an effort to stay focused on hockey, our fans and this community, no member of our organization will be speaking further on this matter publicly. What’s most important now is looking ahead — continuing to grow, compete and create an incredible experience for everyone who supports this team.”

Moskal, who also served as managing ownership partner and governor of FPHL’s Monroe Moccasins, was let go from that post on Tuesday, according to Nexstar affiliate KTVE.

Adam Benson joined the News13 digital team in January 2024. He is a veteran South Carolina reporter with previous stops at the Greenwood Index-Journal, Post & Courier and The Sun News in Myrtle Beach. Adam is a Boston native and University of Utah graduate. Follow Adam on X, formerly Twitter, at @AdamNewshound12. See more of his work here.

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