South Carolina Health Insurance

According to the Center for Disease Control, each year between 2001 and 2003, an average of 13.1% of South Carolina residents went uninsured for South Carolina health insurance.

South Carolina Health Insurance Regulations

Any individual covered under an employer or group South Carolina health insurance plan cannot be denied or limited coverage under that plan. Also, any individual covered under a group, employer, or individual South Carolina medical insurance plan is guaranteed the right to renew the existing policy provided the individual has paid all premiums on time and has not provided false information. This is called a guaranteed renewabililty provision.

South Carolina health insurance companies can deny an applicant for individual health insurance based on health, age, or other factors. The company can also limit an individual’s access to individual health insurance coverage. Pre-existing conditions exclusion periods allow companies to exclude coverage for any condition they believe existed prior to the beginning of coverage.

---

Pre-Existing Conditions

For Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) in South Carolina, a pre-existing condition is one for which an individual sought advice, treatment, or diagnosis during the 12 months prior to enrollment in the new policy. HMOs can withhold coverage for pre-existing conditions for a maximum of 12 months.

For non-HMOs in South Carolina, any condition for which an individual seeks coverage during the first two years of the plan can be considered pre-existing if the company decides that the condition existed before coverage began. Non-HMOs can also include elimination riders that can permanently exclude conditions or body parts from coverage under the plan.

---

Pregnancy

Pregnancy is considered a pre-existing condition in South Carolina and can be excluded under the above policies. If the parent’s plan covers dependents, newborns and adopted children are automatically covered under the parent’s individual South Carolina health insurance plan for the first 31 days after birth or adoption. Disabled children may remain as dependents under the parent’s policy past the age at which dependents are usually no longer covered.

---

Short-Term Health Insurance

For individuals looking to obtain short-term health insurance coverage in South Carolina, there are some options. Some South Carolina medical insurance companies sell temporary health insurance to cover short times between policies or employer coverage.

Alternative South Carolina Health Insurance Options

For individuals who have difficulty obtaining South Carolina health insurance or who are “uninsurable” there are some state programs that may help:

• South Carolina Medicaid is available to anyone who meets the eligibility criteria and qualifications.
• South Carolina Health Insurance Pool (SHIP) is the state’s high-risk pool and is designed to help “uninsurable” individuals obtain health insurance. Pre-existing exclusion periods may apply.
• Partners for Healthy Children is the State’s Children’s Health Insurance Program designed to provide health insurance for children up to age 19 whose families do not qualify for Medicaid and who may not be able to afford South Carolina health insurance.

South Carolina Department of Insurance

Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 100105
Columbia, South Carolina 29202-3105

Consumer Services Tel: (803) 737-6180
Toll Free (This number is only accessible within South Carolina): 1-800-768-3467
Fax: (803) 737-6231

---

For other South Carolina Insurance Resources, See:

• South Carolina Auto Insurance
• South Carolina Home Insurance
• South Carolina Health Insurance

---

Connect With South Carolina Health Insurance Agents Now By Filling Out The Quick Form At The Top Of The Page.

Health insurance quotes are provided by licensed agents and brokers that partner with USInsuranceOnline to help consumers compare rates and save money.