Oct. 29, 2019

The 45-day open enrollment period for health insurance purchased through the federal marketplace begins on Friday, Nov. 1. BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina, the only locally based health insurer in this market covering the entire state, is offering 24 plans in most counties, and 28 plan options in Charleston, Dorchester, Colleton and Berkeley counties. Open enrollment ends on Sunday, Dec. 15, and the coverage becomes effective Jan. 1, 2020.

South Carolinians have come to rely on BlueCross’ participation and unique expertise in this market as it has been the only continuously operating health plan on the exchange since its beginning in 2014, and the only insurer in all counties since 2016.

This year, it is the only health plan offering in-network coverage at every hospital in the state, including recently added Lexington Medical Center.

Every plan purchased comes with an opportunity for members to earn up to $150 for completing 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. Existing members who re-enroll can carry over up to $60 earned in 2019 but not used by year end.

The organization is encouraging its existing members to reenroll to ensure any personal or financial changes are noted as that may affect subsidy eligibility. 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 preventive benefits at 100% and also cover the same essential health benefits, but costs 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 weight management and gym memberships.

There are multiple ways consumers can get more information about the BlueCross plans offered for 2020 health insurance coverage:

• Call toll free 877-313-2583 
• For free insurance agent support go to an SC BLUE^SM 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 Pkwy., Ste. A4 
    Columbia, SC 29212
    803-264-9000
  • Mount Pleasant Retail Center
    Towne Centre
    1795 N. Hwy. 17, Unit 7 
    Mount Pleasant, SC 29464
    843-216-7760
  • Greenville Retail Center
    Magnolia Park Mall
    1025 Woodruff Rd., Suite A105 
    Greenville, SC 29607
    864-286-2285
• Visit with an agent in the SC BLUE mobile retail center (also a free service), 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 in November and December

Florence: Nov. 1–2, 9 a.m.–7 p.m. on Friday, and Saturday 9 a.m.–6 p.m., 
Doctors Care at 2200 S Irby St.

Florence: Nov. 4–9, Monday-Friday 9 a.m.–7 p.m., Saturday, 9 a.m.–6 p.m. 
Doctors Care at 2200 S. Irby St. 

Aiken: Nov.1–2, 9 a.m.–7 p.m. on Friday, Saturday 9 a.m.–6 p.m.,
Doctors Care 850 Aiken Mall Dr. SW

Aiken: Nov. 4–9, Monday-Friday 9 a.m.–7 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m.–6 p.m. 
Doctors Care, 850 Aiken Mall Dr. SW 

Oconee: Nov. 11–16, Monday-Friday 9 a.m.–7 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m.–6 p.m.
Oconee Square Shopping Center, 3 Oconee Square Dr., Seneca, SC

Sumter: Nov. 11–16, Monday-Friday 9 a.m.–7 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. –6 p.m. 
Doctors Care, 2475 Broad St.

Charleston: Nov. 18–23, Monday-Friday 9 a.m.–7 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m.–6 p.m.
Doctors Care, 8091 Rivers Ave. N

Greenville: Nov. 18–23, Monday-Friday 9 a.m.–7 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m.–6 p.m.
Doctors Care, 6704 White Horse Rd.

Cherokee: Nov. 25–27, 9 a.m.–7 p.m.
Your Best Body Gym, 1844 Old Georgia Hwy., Gaffney

Greenwood: Nov. 25–27, 9 a.m.–7 p.m.
Doctors Care, 516 Montague Ave., Greenwood

Chester: Dec. 2–7, Monday-Friday 9 a.m.–7 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m.–6 p.m. 
YMCA, 157 Columbia St., Chester

Anderson: Dec. 2–7, Monday-Friday 9 a.m.–7 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m.–6 p.m. 
Doctors Care, 2126 N. Hwy. 81, Anderson

Orangeburg: Dec. 9–15, Monday-Friday 9 a.m.–7 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m.–6 p.m. and Sunday 1 p.m.–5 p.m.
YMCA, 2550 St. Matthews Rd., Orangeburg

Newberry: Dec. 9–15, Monday–Friday 9 a.m.–7 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m.–6 p.m. and Sunday 1 p.m.–5 p.m.
Doctors Care, 1410 Wilson Rd., Newberry

Pop Up Centers

These will be temporary locations that are open during the enrollment period – November 1–December 15 – offering individuals another face-to-face opportunity to get questions answered and enroll in a plan.  These locations are branded SC BLUE, staffed with licensed agents who provide free service, and offer the same hours of operation as the permanent locations in Columbia, Greenville and Mount Pleasant.

• Spartanburg
  200 Dawn Redwood Dr.
  Spartanburg, SC 29307
  864-286-2278
• Myrtle Beach
  4999 Carolina Forest Blvd.
  Myrtle Beach, SC 29526
  843-736-8811
• Bluffton
  1460 Fording Island Rd.
  Bluffton, SC 29910
  843-736-8809

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 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.