843-991-2695Quick Quote
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 Beaufort 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 Beaufort
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 Beaufort 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 Beaufort, 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 Beaufort. 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.
Latest News in Beaufort, SC
One house at a time: Beaufort Memorial to address affordable housing needs for its workers
Sebastian Leehttps://www.islandpacket.com/news/health-care/article273283350.html
To combat a high cost of living and better attract workers, Beaufort Memorial Hospital may be renting a house on property from Beaufort County to provide an affordable housing option.Beaufort Memorial Hospital CEO Russell Baxley says the area’s high housing costs have been the biggest deterrent for potential new employees.“We have seen the cost of living in Beaufort skyrocket and it was barely affordable, you know, before the pandemic and now it is definitely unaffordable post pandemic,” said Baxley “And...
To combat a high cost of living and better attract workers, Beaufort Memorial Hospital may be renting a house on property from Beaufort County to provide an affordable housing option.
Beaufort Memorial Hospital CEO Russell Baxley says the area’s high housing costs have been the biggest deterrent for potential new employees.
“We have seen the cost of living in Beaufort skyrocket and it was barely affordable, you know, before the pandemic and now it is definitely unaffordable post pandemic,” said Baxley “And so that puts us, as an employer or any employer in the area, at a significant disadvantage when trying to recruit and relocate to the area.”
The house is one of many on land the county purchased in 2022 with the intent of creating workforce housing.
County Councilman Logan Cunningham, who chairs the Beaufort County Public Facilities and Safety Committee, supports the proposal as a temporary solution, calling it a Band-Aid, but thinks in principle the county should avoid being a landlord.
However, until a decision can be made about what to do with the entirety of the purchased property, which includes multiple lots and homes, Cunningham would rather not see the property left vacant.
“We can use the property and not let it sit there for the next year or two years while we’re figuring out exactly what direction we’re gonna go in,” he said.
Under the agreement, the hospital would rent the house from the county and sublet it to one of its employees. The property is valued at $1,810 a month, according to the county, but Beaufort Memorial would pay the county just $950 a month.
Cunningham requested that it be added to the contract that Beaufort Memorial cannot charge its tenant more than what is paid to the county. So, the hospital would have to operate at net-even under the agreement.
Baxley says this first property will act as a trial run of sorts and if successful, Beaufort Memorial may pursue renting the other houses on the property as well. This is a small step toward the ultimate goal of securing affordable housing for the hospital’s workers, he said.
“One house isn’t really going to make a dent in the overall problem that we have here in Beaufort,” said Baxley. “But, we’ve got to build some momentum. This is a momentum-builder.”
Located at 114 Elliot Street, the 1,450-square-foot, three-bedroom, two-bath home is within walking distance to the hospital.
The proposal was passed unanimously by the Public Facilities and Safety Committee and will be heard by the full County Council during the March 27 meeting.
Chipotle preparing to open its 36th SC Mexican grill at this Beaufort County location
Karl Pucketthttps://www.islandpacket.com/news/business/article272595310.html
Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc., will open its newest restaurant in South Carolina next month in an area of Beaufort that’s being invigorated with new retail development and restaurants.Often known simply as Chipotle, the Newport Beach, California-based chain of fast casual restaurants specializes in bowls, tacos and Mission burritos made to order in front of the customer.“We are planning to open the first Chipotle in Beaufort in March,” Chipotle spokesperson Sally Evans told the Beaufort Gazette and Island Packe...
Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc., will open its newest restaurant in South Carolina next month in an area of Beaufort that’s being invigorated with new retail development and restaurants.
Often known simply as Chipotle, the Newport Beach, California-based chain of fast casual restaurants specializes in bowls, tacos and Mission burritos made to order in front of the customer.
“We are planning to open the first Chipotle in Beaufort in March,” Chipotle spokesperson Sally Evans told the Beaufort Gazette and Island Packet.
Specifically, Chipotle says on its website, a March 6 opening is planned.
The new Chipotle is located in Beaufort Plaza shopping center at the busy intersection of Robert Smalls Parkway and Boundary Street. Its address is 21 Robert Smalls Parkway but the restaurant fronts Boundary Street and is across from Walgreens.
It will have a drive-through for pickup of digital orders, Evans said.
The Chipotle will be the second in Beaufort County — the other is at Bluffton’s first Tanger Outlet Mall at 1250 Fording Island Road — and the 36th in South Carolina.
As of Dec. 31, Evans said, Chipotle had nearly 3,200 restaurants nationwide. It is the only restaurant company of its size that owns and operates all its restaurants.
Chipotle is hiring in Beaufort, Evans said. On average, there are 25 jobs per restaurant that carry competitive benefits including a crew bonus, a debt-free college degree program (including English as a second language) and access to mental healthcare for employees and families.
Several new businesses have opened at Beaufort Plaza, which is owned by Paul Trask, following the completion of a $33 million redevelopment of Boundary Street in 2018 to make one of the city’s main thoroughfares more welcoming while encouraging development.
In July, a long-awaited Publix grocery store opened. The 48,387-square-foot store is located at 33 Robert Smalls Parkway. Burkes HomeCentric, a discount home goods retailer, also is open for business.
Five Guys, known for its hand-crafted burgers, is going up across from McDonald’s. And a Lowcountry Urgent Care is planned next to Chipotle.
The new facilities are joining existing tenants Burkes Outlet, Staples, Big Lots, Aaron’s appliance and electronics store and a U.S. Post Office.
This story was originally published February 24, 2023, 3:32 PM.
Quest to name best pizza in Beaufort County down to 2 finalists. Which will you pick to win?
Lisa Wilsonhttps://www.islandpacket.com/living/food-drink/article272555137.html
More than 75,000 votes were cast in the third round of voting in our quest to find the best pizza in Beaufort County, and we are down to two finalists.The winner will be named just in time for National Pi Day (March 14 or 3/14), which many celebrate by having a slice of pizza.Here’s a little bit more about the two restaurants advancing to the final round:Mama G’s is the newcomer to Beaufort County, having ...
More than 75,000 votes were cast in the third round of voting in our quest to find the best pizza in Beaufort County, and we are down to two finalists.
The winner will be named just in time for National Pi Day (March 14 or 3/14), which many celebrate by having a slice of pizza.
Here’s a little bit more about the two restaurants advancing to the final round:
Mama G’s is the newcomer to Beaufort County, having opened in the spring of 2022 in Moss Creek Village, on the Bluffton side of the bridges to Hilton Head Island.
Glen Grace, who is originally from New Jersey, owns and operates the business with his wife and three adult children. They prepare pizza, calzone and stromboli with fermented pizza dough, which Grace says makes it more flavorful and more digestible.
Pizzas at Mama G’s come in a 12-inch or 18-inch rounds. The menu lists a cheese pizza for $14.50 or $22, depending on the size.
Also on the menu: Italian salads, appetizers and Marion’s Gelato.
? Where: 1533 Fording Island Road, Suite 302, Bluffton
? Hours: Noon to 9 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday; closed Monday and Tuesday
? Phone: 843-543-MAMA
? Website: mamagpizzahhi.com
? Facebook: www.facebook.com/mamagpizza
Local Pie started offering its Neapolitan-style wood-fired pizza at a location on the south end of Hilton Head, and it proved so popular that a second location opened in Old Town Bluffton in 2016.
Chef Lee Lucier is chief operating officer of the Richardson Group, which owns both Local Pie locations along with FISH at Coligny Plaza on Hilton Head. Lucier has long been an advocate for hospitality workers, who are provided with no-cost health insurance at the three restaurants.
The Local Pie website says that Local in the name not only means “the highest quality, regionally-sourced ingredients ... (but) also represents a sense of community.”
Pizzas come in 10-inch or 16-inch rounds. The menu lists a cheese pizza for $9 or $17, depending on the size.
Also on the menu: Starters, salads, calzones and subs. Delivery is available from both locations through Cool Delivery.
? Where: 55 New Orleans Road, Suite 106, Hilton Head
? Hours: 4 to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday; noon to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
? Phone: 843-387-PIES
? Website: localpie.com
? Facebook: www.facebook.com/localpiehhi
?
? Where: 15 State of Mind St., Bluffton
? Hours: 4 to 9 p.m. Monday; 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday; 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday brunch
? Phone: 843-837-PIES
? Website: localpie.com
? Facebook: www.facebook.com/localpiebluff
If social media has taught us anything, it’s that people have strong feelings about pizza, and they aren’t afraid to share them.
We decided to settle the debate. We asked Island Packet and Beaufort Gazette readers for nominations for the best pizza joint in Beaufort County. Hundreds of responses poured in, and the top 16 nominees were included the first round of voting. Consecutive rounds of voting cut the field in half and in half again.
In the most recent round, Dough Boys Pizza, located at 1 New Orleans Road on Hilton Head, finished third, and La Pizzeria, located at 1460 Fording Island Road, near the Tanger 2 Outlets in Bluffton, finished fourth.
Now, in our final round, the slate is wiped clean, and this is anyone’s game to win.
Scroll down to the bottom of this page. After verifying you are human, cast your vote.
You can vote as often as you like. Just refresh the page and confirm your humanity to get back to the poll. Because of this, our polls are not meant to be scientific, but they are a lot of fun! The only prize is bragging rights.
Voting in this round ends at 10 a.m. on Friday, March 10.
Watch islandpacket.com for the announcement of the winner.
This story was originally published February 20, 2023, 2:56 PM.
Rage Room opening in Beaufort this March
NewsBreak Originalhttps://original.newsbreak.com/@explore-beaufort-sc-1602564/2934286719284-rage-room-opening-in-beaufort-this-march
Get ready to smash, slam, destroy and scream because the guys at Moss & Hatchet Axe Throwing in Beaufort Town Center are in the process of opening a Rage Room at their facility this coming March.For those not familiar, a rage room, also known as a smash room or anger room, is a room where people can let loose and vent their frustrations by destroying objects.Rage rooms may include living room and kitchen replicas with furnishings and items such as televisions and desks. In some instances, customers may be allowed to bring t...
Get ready to smash, slam, destroy and scream because the guys at Moss & Hatchet Axe Throwing in Beaufort Town Center are in the process of opening a Rage Room at their facility this coming March.
For those not familiar, a rage room, also known as a smash room or anger room, is a room where people can let loose and vent their frustrations by destroying objects.
Rage rooms may include living room and kitchen replicas with furnishings and items such as televisions and desks. In some instances, customers may be allowed to bring their own possessions to destroy, like that photo of the ex, or something similar.
Now, before you think that a bunch of crazy angry men are going to be putting on the provided protective suits, acting all macho, pounding their chests and breaking things, think again.
You’ll be surprised to find out that statistics show that most rage room customers happen to be women.
First opening its doors in February of 2020, Moss & Hatchet was the first to introduce axe throwing to Beaufort, and now they’ll also be the first to introduce a rage room as well.
“We already offer axe throwing here at Moss & Hatchet,” said Nicholas Price, part owner of the establishment along with Henry Dreier and Corey Andersen, “so it’s more of a natural next step for our business.”
“There’s a lack of entertainment here in the Beaufort area with not much for adults to do inside, so we’re going to help with that,” Price said.
That’s true. With our bowling alley closing, and our movie theater being long gone in favor of a grocery store, there isn’t much for adults to do indoors in the area.
“We’re working on the room now, painting it to look like the inside of an old brick building, and we expect to open the room to customers sometime in the middle of March,” Price added. “And our goal is to eventually allow our customers to bring in their own items to destroy at some point.”
Rage rooms are “all the rage” (see what we did there?), and we’re looking forward to this one opening at Beaufort Town Center this spring.
Moss & Hatchet is located at 2139 Boundary Street, Suite 118, at Beaufort Town Center. You can see more about them here.
Review committee votes to ban 3rd of 97 books from Beaufort County school libraries
Mary Dimitrovhttps://www.islandpacket.com/news/local/education/article273216760.html
A book review committee voted Thursday night to permanently remove the third of 97 books from Beaufort County schools — “The Haters” by Jesse Andrews — since the evaluation process began in October.It has been six months since the books were pulled from shelves. Out of the 36 books reviewed so far, committees also banned ...
A book review committee voted Thursday night to permanently remove the third of 97 books from Beaufort County schools — “The Haters” by Jesse Andrews — since the evaluation process began in October.
It has been six months since the books were pulled from shelves. Out of the 36 books reviewed so far, committees also banned “Nineteen Minutes” by Jodi Picoult and “It Ends With Us” by Colleen Hoover.
In this latest round, seven committees voted that their books only be allowed in grades 9-12, one committee voted for their book be allowed in grades 6-12, one committee voted to completely return their book to general library circulation, and one voted to bank its book entirely.
The decisions are:
“The Haters” is a New York Times bestseller that follows a trio of teenagers trying to become a hit band. Andrews, the author, also wrote the New York Times bestseller “Me and Earl and the Dying Girl,” which was also removed by library shelves but returned to grades 9-12 in February.
The book bills itself as a “groundbreaking young adult novel about music, love, friendship and freedom as three young musicians follow a quest to escape the law long enough to play the amazing show they hope (but also doubt) they have in them.”
While “Me and Earl and the Dying Girl” ranks eighth on the list of most banned books in 2022, “The Haters” doesn’t appear on the list.
A BookLooks.org review flagged “The Haters” for frequent profanity and descriptions of sex. Parent Ivie Szalai used Booklooks.org to create the initial list of nearly 100 books.
This story was originally published March 16, 2023, 2:37 PM.
Disclaimer:
