Oct. 26, 2018

BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina, the only Affordable Care Act (ACA) health insurance provider in every South Carolina county since 2016, is encouraging residents to sign up for health insurance during this year’s open enrollment period, which begins Thursday, Nov. 1 and ends Saturday, Dec. 15. The coverage becomes effective Jan. 1, 2019.

Every plan purchased comes with an opportunity for members to receive up to $150 for completing three healthy activities  through a program called BlueRewards^SM. Once registered for the program, members can earn reward dollars by getting a flu shot, completing an annual physical and signing up for the telehealth platform Blue CareOnDemand^SM. The money can be used toward copays, coinsurance and out-of-pocket expenses based on covered medical services, excluding pharmacy.

BlueCross is offering 24 plans on the health care exchange across the state and 28 plans in Charleston, Dorchester, Colleton and Berkeley counties.  Depending on a person’s income and eligibility for subsidies, someone could qualify for a plan as low as zero dollars. If they do not meet the zero dollar requirements, they could still qualify for a low premium. Almost 90 percent of BlueCross exchange members receive a subsidy, which lowers their monthly premium rate. Plans are labeled gold, silver or bronze. All plans cover the same essential health benefits, but the costs will vary based on the metallic level. Some options have lower copays, smaller deductibles and a variety of prescription drug benefits.

People who do not qualify for subsidies can purchase lower-priced silver plans, as well as other off-exchange insurance products, which offer a variety of benefit options and prices. All plans also offer several partner discounts, including Fitbit, weight management and gym memberships.

“There are only 45 days in the open enrollment period so we want to be available and helpful to everyone looking for protection against accidents and illness,” said Terry Peace, BlueCross senior vice president. “We have many ways people can sign up for health insurance, including visiting our stores in Columbia, Mount Pleasant and Greenville as well as our mobile retail center, which will be traveling the state. We want people to get the information they need to make good decisions for themselves and their families, and encourage them to meet with our staff or a local insurance agent, both of which are free services, and/or do their own research through our website.”

There are several ways consumers can get more information about the BlueCross plans offered in 2019:

• Visit www.SouthCarolinaBlues.com. 
• Call toll free, 877-313-2583. 
• Walk into one of our SC BLUE? retail stores to speak face-to-face with an agent, or check out www.SCBlueRetailCenters.com to schedule an appointment Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. 
  • Columbia Retail Center
    • Columbiana Station, 1260 Bower Parkway, Suite A4, Columbia, SC 29212
    • 803-264-9000
  • Mount Pleasant Retail Center
    • Towne Centre, 1795 N. Highway 17, Unit 7, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464
    • 843-216-7760
  • Greenville Retail Center
    • Magnolia Park Mall, 1025 Woodruff Road, Suite A105, Greenville, SC 29607
    • 864-286-2285
• Visit with an agent in the SC BLUE mobile retail center, which is touring the state, by calling 855-382-2583 or coming to one of the mobile retail center tour stops.
• Find the nearest enrollment event by going to www.EnrollSCNow.com.
• SC Blue Mobile retail center Tour Stops
  • Indian Land: Oct. 29 – Nov. 3, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m., 8384 Charlotte Hwy.
  • Greenville: Nov. 1 – Nov. 10, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m., 1025 Woodruff Road
  • Sumter: Nov. 5 – 10, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m., 2475 Broad St.
  • Aiken: Nov. 12 – 17, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m., 850 Aiken Mall Dr. SW
  • Myrtle Beach: Nov. 12 – 21, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m., 1221 21st Ave N
  • St. Matthews: Nov. 19 – 21, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m., 609 Harry C Rayson Dr.
  • Florence: Nov. 26 – Dec. 1, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m., 2200 S. Irby St.
  • Rock Hill: Nov. 26 – Dec. 1, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m., 2174 Cherry Road
  • Summerville: Dec. 3 – 8, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m., 10160 Dorchester Road
  • Greenville: Dec. 3 – 15, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m., 1025 Woodruff Road
  • North Charleston: Dec. 10 – 15, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m., 8091 Rivers Ave.

About BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina

Headquartered in Columbia, S.C., and operating in South Carolina for more than 70 years, BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. The only South Carolina-owned and operated health insurance carrier, BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina comprises more than 20 companies involved in health insurance services, U.S. DoD health programs and Medicare contracts, other insurance and employee benefits services, and a philanthropic foundation that funds programs to improve health care and access to health care for South Carolinians.