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Helping Seniors Make Better-Informed Medicare Decisions
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 Columbia or simply have questions about signing up for Medicare, our team is here to help.
Service Areas
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 Columbia
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 Columbia 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 Columbia, 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 Columbia. 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 Columbia, SC
New restaurant with focus on wild game cuisine to open in Columbia’s Vista
Hannah Wade hannahw@free-times.comhttps://www.postandcourier.com/columbia/business/wild-game-restaurant-the-hollow-columbia-sc/article_1ce80f54-638f-11ee-ad75-1376f91fb06d.html
COLUMBIA — A new restaurant, which has a menu that focuses on wild game, is set to open in Columbia’s Vista at the beginning of 2024, the eatery’s owner confirmed to Free Times.The Hollow, located in the former Jason’s Deli space at 823 Gervais St., is a project nearly a decade in the making for Chris Fitz.“This has been like...
COLUMBIA — A new restaurant, which has a menu that focuses on wild game, is set to open in Columbia’s Vista at the beginning of 2024, the eatery’s owner confirmed to Free Times.
The Hollow, located in the former Jason’s Deli space at 823 Gervais St., is a project nearly a decade in the making for Chris Fitz.
“This has been like a baby of mine for 10 years, where I always wanted to open this concept and post-COVID, we were given the ability to start this project,” Fitz said.
The State Street Pub bartender has spent the last nine years serving faithful patrons of the bar just across the river in West Columbia. He’s bringing the restaurant’s concept to the Vista, as new locally owned restaurants and bars open in the area where in recent years a number of larger national chains have closed.
The Hollow’s menu will center around wild game. Meat from animals such as elk, rabbit and venison will line the menu, alongside fresh wild vegetables like carrots, mushrooms and onions. It’s what Fitz calls a “forest to table” concept.
“Everybody’s heard about farm to table (concepts) and things like that. What we’re looking to do is to incorporate that same mentality of using localized ingredients and things like that to expand beyond just meat,” Fitz said.
The meat itself will come from a variety of places across the country, Fitz said.
“This wild game is not coming from your neighbor who just got back from the woods,” Fitz said. “What we’ve learned is that although it’s a very strict process ... there are tons of avenues for us to get this exotic meat.”
The 5,900-square foot space will have enough seating for around 120 people in the main dining room and feature two bars — a large corner bar right next to the kitchen and a straight bar right at the door facing a giant window that overlooks Gervais street — that can sit around 15 people.
Aside from the unique cuisine option, which is one of the first of its kind planned for the capital city, Fitz plans to outfit the former Jason’s Deli space with distinctive decor. Behind the corner bar, a massive artificial tree will be built out with an overhead canopy enveloping most of the bar seating area.
The kitchen, which Fitz said will be led by a local executive chef whose name will be announced at a later date, will be behind a glass wall. The design allows for customers to see what’s happening in the kitchen as staff prepares food.
The Hollow joins a handful of locally owned businesses that’ve opened in recent months. Over the summer, The Dragon Room opened just a stone’s throw from the upcoming game restaurant. It came from prominent restaurateur Kristian Niemi, who owns Columbia’s Bourbon and West Columbia’s Black Rooster and its kitchen and bar are led by industry vets Alex Strickland and David Adedokun, respectively.
At the beginning of September, a new fresh market from a University of South Carolina professor and local farmer, Farmers Market Xchange opened on Lady Street. And in the former space of Uncle Louie’s, POPS opened on Park Street.
“A lot of what we’re trying to do is bring the small business vibe back to Columbia,” Fitz said.
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Hundreds missing in South Carolina ahead of the Holiday season
wltx.comhttps://www.wltx.com/article/news/crime/crime-stoppers/hundreds-missing-in-the-midlands/101-2b98ff26-7eb5-4f2b-9e60-5f4b65bf4cef
Over 270 people are missing in South Carolina.COLUMBIA, S.C. — Many families eagerly anticipate being together with their loved ones as the holiday season approaches.However, for some in the Midlands, this joy is overshadowed by the haunting absence of those they hold dear.There are 98 cases in Kershaw, Richland, and ...
Over 270 people are missing in South Carolina.
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Many families eagerly anticipate being together with their loved ones as the holiday season approaches.
However, for some in the Midlands, this joy is overshadowed by the haunting absence of those they hold dear.
There are 98 cases in Kershaw, Richland, and Newberry counties of people who have been reported missing.
One such case is that of Willis Frierson, affectionately known as "Benji."
His sons, Jarrick and Marquez Cain, have put up missing posters across Bishopville since his disappearance on April 30.
"I hope maybe he's standing out in the yard or walking around like how he usually does, but you know, right now, it's just hopes," his son Jarrick said in a heartfelt plea.
According to the National Missing and Unidentified Person System, South Carolina has 276 men and women missing as of October 2023.
Morgan Duncan, a 27-year-old battling schizophrenia, has been missing since Nov. 28.
His mother, Latanza Duncan, describes him as a kind and gentle soul, active in his community, "Morgan would go in his community and ask the senior citizens can take their trash out and be of some service to anyone. I say he kept busy trying to be a good citizen in our community,".
Adding, "This is just a nightmare; what I am trying to do is stay focused and bring him home. "
Investigations into missing persons cases involve meticulous processes, as explained by Carol Tarte, Lt. Special Victims Unit with the Kershaw Sheriff's Office.
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"We have to look into social media records, phone records, bank records, travel records. That can take several months to process just to get records back and then analyze them, but that time that it takes to get to that person is just significantly longer than that 24-48 hours that is portrayed on TV," she says.
Despite the challenges, Benji's family clings to hope, urging others not to give up hope even when the first critical hours pass.
"I really can't describe it. It's tough, I can tell you that, and I wouldn't wish it on anyone," Jarrick says.
As the holidays draw near, the city of Sumter and Kershaw County grapple with multiple ongoing missing person cases, including Sophia Van Dam and her son Matayo, who were reported missing in August.
The City of Sumter has four other cases, including Tommy Brailey, who has been missing since August 2017.
In Kershaw County, the search continues for Jennifer Beverly, who has been missing since Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023.
Authorities urge anyone with information on these or other cases to call Crimestoppers at 1-888-CRIME-SC.
Vintage mall Re-Find moving to Rosewood after nearly a decade on Two Notch Road
Zoe Nicholsonhttps://www.postandcourier.com/free-times/news/refind-vintage-antique-columbia-rosewood/article_4fdc1598-9b77-11ee-b64d-2f089fa32538.html
Re-Find, the vintage mall with a groovy and youthful eye, is moving into Columbia proper after nearly a decade on Two Notch Road in Northeast Richland.Owner Padget McGuire said he’s been looking to move his antiques store, which features dozens of vendor booths, for some time now, but was waiting for the right location.“It’s been great for us...
Re-Find, the vintage mall with a groovy and youthful eye, is moving into Columbia proper after nearly a decade on Two Notch Road in Northeast Richland.
Owner Padget McGuire said he’s been looking to move his antiques store, which features dozens of vendor booths, for some time now, but was waiting for the right location.
“It’s been great for us, but it’s just time for us,” McGuire said of the Two Notch Road location, which sits in a strip mall with several other antique and secondhand shops in the rural area of Pontiac.
The new location will be on South Edisto Street off of Rosewood Drive. The opening is tentatively slated for March 1. McGuire said the new location’s landlord is working on improvements to the building, including a new HVAC system, installing windows and a fresh coat of paint.
The 1950s-built warehouse will double the store’s capacity to 10,000-square feet, he added.
“We’re going to add a lot of new booths and new talents,” McGuire said. “We’re also we’re looking for new people to add to the team. We already have a lot of really cool people lined up.”
Re-Find operates as a vendor mall, meaning individual vintage and antique sellers rent space in the store, which handles sales for the vendors.
McGuire said the store’s aesthetic, which blends retro items with a modern decorating eye, draws “more of a downtown vibe.” He hopes to keep attracting vendors who lean more youthful in their collecting.
“There’s so many creative, talented young people who are getting into it and having a lot of fun running in the industry,” McGuire said. “It’s just neat to see how they’ve interpreted antiques and vintage.”
McGuire said he’s accepting applications for staff and vendors on the store’s revamped website, refindsc.com.
And the expansion plans won’t just stop with a bigger space. McGuire said the new location neighbors an event space, where he hopes to be able to put on multi-day markets that attract regional vendors and goods.
Carolina Carillon Christmas Parade returns for 70th year in Columbia
Tiffany Tran-Ozunahttps://www.wistv.com/2023/11/29/carolina-carillon-christmas-parade-returns-70th-year-columbia/
COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) - The Carolina Carillon Parade is returning to kick start Christmas in Columbia for the 70th year.The annual holiday tradition will march through the downtown area of Columbia Saturday at 9:45 a.m.The parade starts at the intersection of Sumter and Laurel Streets and will proceed down Sumter Street toward the University of South Carolina (USC) Horseshoe before ending on Senate Street.WIS News 10 will begin live coverage of the parade at 10 a.m.Here are the temporarily road closures ahead of th...
COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) - The Carolina Carillon Parade is returning to kick start Christmas in Columbia for the 70th year.
The annual holiday tradition will march through the downtown area of Columbia Saturday at 9:45 a.m.
The parade starts at the intersection of Sumter and Laurel Streets and will proceed down Sumter Street toward the University of South Carolina (USC) Horseshoe before ending on Senate Street.
WIS News 10 will begin live coverage of the parade at 10 a.m.
Here are the temporarily road closures ahead of the event:
Beginning at approximately 7:00 a.m.
Gervais Street and Sumter Street Gervais Street and Marion Street, Gervais Street and Main Street, Gervais Street and Bull Street, Gervais Street and Assembly Street.
Beginning at approximately 7:45 a.m.
Sumter Street and Elmwood Avenue, Main Street and Richland Street Main Street and Calhoun Street, Marion Street and Richland Street, Marion Street and Calhoun Street, Laurel Street and Sumter Street.
Laurel Street and Marion Street1700 Sumter Street.
Blanding Street and Sumter Street Blanding & Main Blanding & Marion.
1600 Sumter Street, Taylor Street and Sumter Street, Taylor Street and Main Street, Taylor Street and Marion Street,1300 Taylor Street, 1500 Sumter Street1400 Sumter Street.
Hampton Street and Sumter Street, Hampton Street and Main Street, 1200 Hampton Street, Hampton Street and Marion Street, 1300 Sumter Street, Lady Street and Sumter Street.
Lady Street and Main Street, 1200 Sumter Street, Gervais Street and Sumter Street.
Beginning at approximately 9:00 a.m.
Senate Street and Sumter Street, Pendleton Street and Sumter Street, Pendleton Street and Marion Street, Marion Street and Gervais Street, Marion Street and Senate Street, Bull Street and Senate Street.
This year you can expect marching bands, drill teams, local churches, dozens of beautiful floats and, of course, Santa Claus!
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New Roadmap to Sustain SC to accelerate development in South Carolina
Jason Thomashttps://columbiabusinessreport.com/new-roadmap-to-sustain-sc-to-accelerate-development-in-south-carolina/
Sustain SC has launched the Roadmap to Sustain SC, which identifies seven key accelerators that will move South Carolina forward as a sustainable state ensuring economic prosperity and protection of the state’s quality of life.The plan was unveiled during Sustain SC’s recent second annual Sustainability Symposium in Columbia, according to a Sustain SC news release.“This is a big moment for our organization, which has dedicated an entire year to developing the Roadmap to Sustain SC,” said Ethel Bunch, fou...
Sustain SC has launched the Roadmap to Sustain SC, which identifies seven key accelerators that will move South Carolina forward as a sustainable state ensuring economic prosperity and protection of the state’s quality of life.
The plan was unveiled during Sustain SC’s recent second annual Sustainability Symposium in Columbia, according to a Sustain SC news release.
“This is a big moment for our organization, which has dedicated an entire year to developing the Roadmap to Sustain SC,” said Ethel Bunch, founder and CEO of , in the release. “This was a passion project and enhances Sustain SC’s mission of connecting the sustainability goals of business in South Carolina with local solutions for the benefit of our economy, environment, and people. We are proud to serve as a model for other states who work toward similar goals.”
The Roadmap undertaking began after South Carolina ranked 37th out of 50 states in a 2021 U.S. Sustainable Development Report released by the Sustainable Development Solutions Network, the release stated. As a result, Sustain SC partnered with Ernst and Young (EY) to assess how South Carolina could improve its low position on the list and be competitive with neighboring states. Through comprehensive research and analysis, researchers mapped out a plan for future sustainable development reflective of the unique commerce and conservation needs of the state, The Roadmap to Sustain SC.
The Roadmap initiatives include the following, the release stated:
“South Carolina recognizes the growing importance modern businesses place upon achieving sustainability goals, and S.C. Commerce is dedicated to working alongside industry partners, like Sustain SC, to provide the support necessary to make those achievements a reality,” said Harry M. Lightsey III, secretary of the South Carolina Department of Commerce, said in the release. “The Roadmap to Sustain SC will help set apart South Carolina’s commitment to our business community.”
For the South Carolina Office of Resilience, which established a formal partnership with Sustain SC this year, the Roadmap to Sustain SC will support SCOR on a number of initiatives.
“Resiliency and nature-based solutions are the key to moving South Carolina forward,” said Ben Duncan, executive director of the South Carolina Office of Resilience. “These focus areas will help our organization develop strategies to minimize the impact of disasters on the communities and citizens of South Carolina.”
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