South Carolina Health Insurance
Find the right health insurance policy you need.
Written by
Ann Herro has been writing about insurance and employee benefits for over 15 years. She has covered topics as easy as insuring a car, and as difficult as transparency in healthcare costs.
A lack of health insurance coverage has been a growing problem in this country, and in South Carolina, where 17.5% of the entire population is uninsured, this problem is felt sharply. A mere 52% of this state’s residents have access to employer-provided healthcare coverage and in a state where healthcare costs are higher than the national average, many people find it difficult to find an affordable plan. When the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act goes into effect in 2014, many more South Carolina residents will be able to afford to purchase coverage for themselves and their families.
Independent agents in the Trusted Choice® network can help you find an affordable healthcare plan. Member agents can be found in more than 27,000 locations nationwide, so it is easy to find an agent close to home. Your agent can work with you to help you secure medical coverage that is both inclusive and affordable. Contact a local member agent now for a variety of competitively-priced South Carolina health insurance quotes.
South Carolina 2007 Health Snapshot
- About 39% of all adults have been diagnosed with high cholesterol
- Approximately 30% of all adults have been diagnosed with high blood pressure
- An estimated 30% of all state residents have been diagnosed with arthritis
- About 9% of all state residents have been diagnosed with diabetes
- 21,370 state residents were diagnosed with some form of cancer that year
- Of those, 2,230 were colorectal cancer and 2,600 were breast cancer
The rate of colorectal and breast cancer cases also exceeds the national average, yet many of this state’s residents forego screening tests for early detection due to lack of health insurance coverage. A majority of this state’s residents suffer from one or more chronic diseases.
This is unfortunate because screening tests save lives and reduce the overall cost of treatment. The earlier cancer and many other illnesses are detected, the easier and more likely they are to be treated successfully. Routine age-appropriate testing including mammograms and colonoscopies are very effective at identifying cancer at its earliest stages. They make up a system of preventive healthcare that can ultimately save both lives and money.
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2007 South Carolina Health Risk Factors
- Approximately 22% of adults and 18% of high school students smoke cigarettes
- About 65% of adults and 18% of high school students are overweight
- 82% of state residents eat fewer than 5 servings of fruits or vegetables a day
- 60% of state high school student do not attend physical education classes
- 26% of women over the age of 40 report not having had a mammogram in the past 2 years
- 41% of adults over 50 have never had a colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy
- 19% of this state’s adults have no health insurance coverage
Because so many of the adults in this state lack healthcare coverage, they often try to save money by avoiding doctors unless absolutely necessary. By the time they feel their health problems are severe enough to warrant an examination, their illnesses have often escalated to the point that extensive treatment is needed.
Annual physicals coupled with routine blood-work and blood-pressure screening lead to healthier lifestyles in patients. Doctors can educate patients about health risks so that they might make changes that can lead to longer, healthier lives.
The High Cost of Major Illness
- Prescription drugs for cancer patients average $1,600 per month
- The average cost of one day in Intensive Care is $7,000
- Patients recovering from strokes require about $15,000 in aftercare treatment
Roughly half of all bankruptcy filings in this country are due to overwhelming medical bills. In 2011, more than 7,000 South Carolinians filed for bankruptcy. The personal and financial results that a bankruptcy claim can have on a person are long-lasting and, in many cases, could have been avoided with the proper insurance coverage.
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Our independent agents shop around to find you the best coverage.
How Can You Find Affordable South Carolina Health Insurance?
In light of the recently passed healthcare laws, healthcare coverage costs are slated to be more affordable than ever. Because the costs are based on your family’s income, those most in need will be able to purchase their policies at the lowest rates.
A Trusted Choice network representative will be able to explain your healthcare options to you and help you find a health insurance plan that fits your budget. Once you have a policy in place, you will be able to enjoy the benefits of preventive care. Trusted Choice member agents can be found in more than 27,000 locations nationwide, so it is easy to find an agent close to home. Find an agent in your area today to review your customized South Carolina health insurance quotes.