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Senior Medicare Advantage plan insurance in Rock Hill, 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 Rock Hill 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 Rock Hill
- Important Information About Senior Supplement Plan Insurance
- Senior Medicare Advantage Plan Insurance in Rock Hill, 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 Rock Hill
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 Rock Hill 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 Rock Hill, 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 Rock Hill. 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 Rock Hill, SC
Icy winter storm barrels toward Rock Hill: Possible treacherous roads, power outages
Andrew Dyshttps://www.heraldonline.com/news/weather-news/article298234508.html
Roads could be treacherous and power outages are possible as the Rock Hill region prepares for ice from a winter storm Friday and Saturday.York, Chester, and Lancaster counties could see snow, freezing rain and sleet — or a combination of all three. The National Weather Service said in its forecast there is a 100% chance of winter weather starting Frida...
Roads could be treacherous and power outages are possible as the Rock Hill region prepares for ice from a winter storm Friday and Saturday.
York, Chester, and Lancaster counties could see snow, freezing rain and sleet — or a combination of all three. The National Weather Service said in its forecast there is a 100% chance of winter weather starting Friday afternoon and has issued a winter storm warning that lasts through Saturday morning.
The Rock Hill area — from Lake Wylie east to Indian Land and Fort Mill — could see about an inch of snow and .3 inches of ice, the NWS said. That ice amount could cause roads to freeze and trees and power lines to be knocked down, officials said.
“Snow and ice accumulations will make many roads treacherous and impassable,” the weather service said in a statement Thursday afternoon.
The official winter storm warning — upgraded from a watch — is issued when “a significant combination of hazardous winter weather is occurring or imminent,” according to the NWS web site.
[As of 12:10PM 1/9] A Winter Storm Watch remains in effect for the western Carolinas and northeast Georgia, but any decisions to upgrade to Warnings/Advisories will be done by 4:00PM as we evaluate new model guidance and trends. pic.twitter.com/GI2vNhUIkv
— NWS GSP (@NWSGSP) January 9, 2025
Area schools have already decided to close or have remote classes Friday and have canceled extra-curricular activities.
Emergency officials have issued a travel advisory urging people to stay off the roads from Friday until icy conditions abate.
“Travel is probably going to be our biggest issue,” said York County Emergency Management Director Chuck Haynes. “Overnight Friday into Saturday, it really has a chance to get dangerous.”
Temperatures Saturday even as skies clear are not expected to rise much over 40 degrees, with lows Saturday night around or below 20 degrees. That means areas that remain wet could refreeze Saturday night into Sunday, said Darren Player, Lancaster County emergency management director.
Officials said even if main roads such as I-77, U.S. 21 and U.S. 521 are clear, secondary roads can be hazardous because they receive less traffic and direct sunlight after a storm passes.
Freezing rain on trees and power lines can cause widespread problems, officials said.
“The weight of the snow and ice on tree limbs and power lines could produce numerous outages,” the weather service said.
If there are power outages, people can check online maps that are updated freqquently by Duke Energy, York Electric Cooperative, and the city of Rock Hill Utilities.
For problems or information, York County officials suggest using these numbers:
? Duke Energy 800-769-3766.
? York Electric Cooperative 866-374-1234
? Rock Hill Utilities 803-329-5500
? Comporium 888-403-2667
? York County Natural Gas 866-201-1001
This story was originally published January 10, 2025 at 5:00 AM.
Huge new Indian Land subdivision could go near Sun City. Here’s how many homes they want
John Markshttps://www.heraldonline.com/news/business/article298242153.html
A massive new senior living community could come to Lancaster County, just south of Sun City in Indian Land.Delray Beach, Florida, company Kolter Group Acquisitions applied for several county zoning changes to allow a community called Cresswind. It would be an age-restricted senior community by Kolter Homes on nearly 870 acres.A sketch plan submitted to the county shows 853 home lots....
A massive new senior living community could come to Lancaster County, just south of Sun City in Indian Land.
Delray Beach, Florida, company Kolter Group Acquisitions applied for several county zoning changes to allow a community called Cresswind. It would be an age-restricted senior community by Kolter Homes on nearly 870 acres.
A sketch plan submitted to the county shows 853 home lots. Plans don’t indicate the cost of the project. A call to the developer fromn The Herald wasn’t immediately returned Thursday afternoon.
The western end of Cresswind would be Van Wyck Road, across from thousands more senior living homes at Sun City. Cresswind would stretch east to U.S. 521, or Charlotte Highway, and south to the railroad line across from Waxhaw Highway and the Walnut Creek subdivision.
The sketch plan shows a new public boulevard through the property, giving it two access points. One would across Charlotte Highway from Henry Harris Road. The other would be on Van Wyck Road near River Bend Boulevard, in Sun City.
The sketch plan shows 409 acres of open space that include ponds, streams and wetlands. There’s a 7-acre amenity area at the center of the property in one sketch plan, though it’s broken into two pieces in another version.
The main entrance on Charlotte Highway would have more than 13 acres a business space and 3 acres of institutional space. That’s a zoning typically used for county properties like a park, fire station or emergency response substation.
The area zoned for business is described in documents only as retail or commercial construction.
The project requires a mix of decisions, include zoning and county land use plan changes. It also would involve a development agreement with the county.
A community meeting on Cresswind will be held at 5 p.m. Jan. 14 at the Del Webb Library in Indian Land.
The county Planning Commission will get more information when the proposal comes to that group Jan. 21. The commission will recommend for or against changes, but Lancaster County Council will have the final decision.
The county council won’t look at the Cresswind proposal until at least Jan. 27.
The decisions will take multiple council votes, lasting at least a month from when that group first sees the Cresswind proposal.
This story was originally published January 9, 2025 at 2:38 PM.
These Rock Hill region schools are closing or moving online ahead of snowstorm forecast
John Markshttps://www.heraldonline.com/news/weather-news/article298238093.html
As the Rock Hill region braces for snow, sleet and ice on Friday, here’s a list of schools that will close for the weather:? The Rock Hill School District will have an eLearning day, or online school, on Friday. Parents won’t send students to school. Extracurricular activities for Friday and Saturday are canceled.? The Fort Mill School District will close a...
As the Rock Hill region braces for snow, sleet and ice on Friday, here’s a list of schools that will close for the weather:
? The Rock Hill School District will have an eLearning day, or online school, on Friday. Parents won’t send students to school. Extracurricular activities for Friday and Saturday are canceled.
? The Fort Mill School District will close all facilities Friday. Students will move to eLearning. After-school activities, including sports, are canceled. District facilities will be closed Saturday, too. Schools are commonly used on weekends for basketball, robotics and other events.
? The Clover School District will use remote learning on Friday. Students won’t have live instruction but will be given assignments to complete. School staff will be available online for support. Athletic events for Friday and Saturday are canceled.
? The York School District will go to remote learning Friday. All athletic events are canceled for Friday and Saturday.
? The Lancaster County School District will close Friday and go to eLearning. All school facilities will be closed and all scheduled events at them canceled Friday through Sunday.
? The Chester County School District will go to remote learning Friday, and school district facilities will be closed Friday through Sunday. Students will be given work for Friday to complete, but won’t have online classes.
? York Prep will go to a half-day schedule on Friday. Kindergarten through fourth grade will dismiss at 11:30 a.m. Friday, with older grades dismissed at noon. All after-school activities Friday are canceled.
? Legion Collegiate Academy postponed all of Friday’s basketball games. Saturday’s girls game will be played in February.
? Riverwalk Academy will have an early release day Friday. Kindergarten through fifth grade will finish school at 11:05 a.m. Older grades will finish at 11:30 a.m. All after-school activities are canceled.
As of Thursday morning, the National Weather Service listed a winter storm watch for Rock Hill.
The forecast showed a chance of snow before 2 p.m. Friday, and an 80% chance of precipitation afterward with a mix of snow, sleet and ice. Freezing rain and sleet would continue Friday night with a 100% chance of precipitation after 7 p.m. The forecast low is 29 degrees.
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January 09, 2025 11:46 AM
Saturday would have a chance of sleet before 7 a.m. and morning fog, with a 30% chance of precipitation on a mostly sunny day. The expected high temperature is 42 degrees. A low of 19 degrees on Saturday night would be followed by several days of high temperatures in the low 40s and lows in the low 20s.
This is a developing story. Check back for more information.
This story was originally published January 9, 2025 at 12:41 PM.
These are the Big Lots stores closing in North Carolina and South Carolina
wcnc.comhttps://www.wcnc.com/article/news/local/big-lots-closing-north-carolina-south-carolina/275-65eabf7d-f8b1-4f1d-bdc0-d2f6788cfb57
100 Big Lots stores in North Carolina and South Carolina will soon shut their doors for good.Credit: AP Images for Big LotsA general view of the exterior of the North Bergen Big Lots store on, Oct. 17, 2014 in North Bergen, N.J. (Bennett Raglin/AP Images)CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Update: After announcing all Big Lots stores will close just a week ago, the...
100 Big Lots stores in North Carolina and South Carolina will soon shut their doors for good.
Credit: AP Images for Big Lots
A general view of the exterior of the North Bergen Big Lots store on, Oct. 17, 2014 in North Bergen, N.J. (Bennett Raglin/AP Images)
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Update: After announcing all Big Lots stores will close just a week ago, the company now says 200 to 400 locations may be saved thanks to a last minute sale.
Original story:
Nearly 1,000 Big Lots stores will close soon as the retail company plans to hold a "going out of business" sale.
The company was sold to a private equity firm and will shut down for good, according to a press release on Thursday.
Big Lots, which mostly sells furniture, home decor, and some other items, previously said high inflation and interest rates have hurt its business as consumers have pulled back on their home and seasonal product purchases, two categories the chain depends on for a significant part of its revenue.
There are 66 Big Lots stores in North Carolina and 34 Big Lots stores in South Carolina, which will all be closed unless the company's plans change.
There are no Big Lots stores currently in Charlotte but many shoppers in the Charlotte area can stop by these locations for deals as the company moves closer to shutting down.
Albemarle: 720 NC-24
Belmont: 601 Park St
Boone: 223 New Market Ctr
Concord: 280 Concord Pkwy N
Gastonia: 2587 W Franklin Blvd
Hickory: 526c Us Highway 70 Sw
Kannapolis: 950 S Cannon Blvd
Lenoir: 845 Blowing Rock Blvd
Lincolnton: 403 N Generals Blvd
Monroe: 3129 Hwy 74 W
Mooresville: 376 West Plaza Drive
Morganton: 1251 Burkemont Ave
Newton: 2725 Northwest Blvd
Salisbury: 711 E. Innes St
Shelby: 1728 E Dixon Blvd
Statesville: 1020 Crossroads Dr
For a full list of North Carolina store closures, visit here.
Lancaster: 1206 Highway 9 Bypass W
Rock Hill: 2349 Cherry Rd
For a full list of South Carolina store closures, visit here.
It's unclear when the 963 Big Lots stores are set to close, or if a completed sale could prevent them from closing.
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