How does health care in the Palmetto State compare to the rest of the nation? According to a study by U.S. News, South Carolina has the 41st best health care in the nation. That accounts for access, quality, and good public health.
According to the SC Department of Insurance, residents can gain access to health care through several outlets.
Where do South Carolina residents get health insurance?
| Sources | Percent | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Employer-Provided | 46% | ||
| Individual or family | 7% | ||
| Medicaid | 19% | ||
| Medicare | 16% | ||
| Other Public Care | 4% | ||
| Uninsured | 9% | ||
| Source: Kaiser Family Foundation, Health Insurance Coverage of the Total Population | |||
Nine percent of South Carolina residents are uninsured, about the same as the national average. That’s a positive sign for residents. Why? A high percentage of uninsured people lead to higher rates for insured people.
How much will you pay for health care in your state? South Carolina residents spend an average of $7,311 every year on health care expenditures. That’s less than the rest of the country.
There are several factors that insurance companies consider while pricing your policy, and they vary from person to person.
According to the CDC, a high body mass causes several serious health conditions. That’s why insurers analyze your BMI when determining your risk-level. People with higher BMIs pay more in monthly premiums.
In 2017, SC residents had a 34.1 percent obesity rate, the 10th highest in the country. Out of the many state residents who used QuoteWizard to compare health care policies, 37 percent have a BMI in the obese range.
Because of the numerous health conditions caused by smoking, tobacco users spend more on health insurance. About 18.8 percent of South Carolina residents are smokers, the 36th highest rate in the country.
Older people pay up to three times more for health insurance than younger people. SC residents who used QuoteWizard to shop for health insurance are, on average, 42 years old.
Marketplace plans come in metal tiers: bronze, silver, gold, and platinum. It’s no surprise that higher coverage levels come with higher monthly premiums.
So, what should you expect to pay in SC? These are the average monthly prices for each plan type for a middle-aged state resident in 2019:
| Bronze | Silver | Gold | |
|---|---|---|---|
| $373 | $550 | $560 | |
| Source: Kaiser Family Foundation, Change in Average Marketplace Premiums by Metal Tier | |||
A gold plan will cost you about 50 percent more than a bronze plan. This price shift is because gold plans cover 80 percent of medical costs, whereas bronze plans cover 60 percent.
A catastrophic plan is the lowest level of coverage you can get in the marketplace. Catastrophic plans have low monthly premiums but a yearly deductible of $7,150. Investing in a bronze or silver plan may save you money when you need to use your insurance.
Every state has different rules, regulations, and providers surrounding its health care marketplace. A key factor in your health care costs is where you live.
Also, health insurers often rely on community ratings to price your policy. That means that rates account for the combined claims that everyone files. If your neighbor files an abnormally high number of claims, for example, your prices could rise.
The health of your state also plays a role. According to America’s Health Rankings, SC is the 44th healthiest state in the country.
There are sparse options for health insurance companies in SC. These are the providers offering individual and family plans in the state:
The Affordable Care Act limits what insurance companies can use to determine your health care costs.
Marketplace plans have a cap on how much you can pay out-of-pocket. In 2018, the out-of-pocket maximum is $7,350 for an individual plan and $14,700 for a family plan.
SC state law requires insurance companies to offer at least some coverage for the following services:
Medicare and Medicaid are both government-funded health care programs that aid certain Americans. Medicare helps seniors, and Medicaid assists low-income families and children.
Medicare exists to offer affordable health care to people 65 and older. There are several coverage options within the program, including parts A, B, C, D, and supplemental coverage plans. You may also qualify for a Medicare Savings Program.
Medicaid (Healthy Connections) helps low-income families and children obtain affordable health care. These are the state’s Medicaid financial requirements:
| Household Size | Maximum Yearly Income |
|---|---|
| 1 | $16,612 |
| 2 | $22,491 |
| 3 | $28,369 |
| 4 | $34,248 |
| 5 | $40,127 |
| 6 | $46,005 |
| 7 | $51,884 |
| 8 | $57,762 |
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