SC Blues remind consumers first ACA deadline approaches
December 7, 2015
COLUMBIA, SC – BlueCross® BlueShield® and BlueChoice® HealthPlan of South Carolina remind consumers interested in purchasing individual or family insurance for 2016 that they must sign up by Dec. 15 for policies to go into effect Jan. 1. Insurance education can be found and purchases made at South Carolina BLUE℠ stores, the South Carolina BLUE℠ RVs, online or with independent agents, including select State Farm and Liberty Tax agents.
Open enrollment continues through Jan. 31, but policies purchased after Dec. 15 will not go into effect until at least Feb. 1. BlueCross® and BlueChoice® have added new plans for 2016, giving consumers more choice.
Consumers who purchased a plan for this year may allow their plan to roll over to 2016, but are encouraged to consult with the agent or organization with whom they originally purchased the plan to revalidate their subsidy and to assess if they might find a better fit with the additional plans the companies are making available. However, BlueCross and BlueChoice are here to assist if needed.
The Affordable Care Act requires that nearly everyone have insurance or pay a penalty when they file taxes. The penalty significantly increases in 2016 to $695 per household adult and $347 per household child, or 2.5 percent of household income, whichever is greater.
“We are urging consumers to be actively involved in the selection and renewal of their health insurance plan,” said BlueCross President Jim Deyling. “With more plan options available for 2016, we have the lowest rates of any plan in the state of South Carolina. I am confident we have a plan to fit the needs of all South Carolinians.”
SC Blues agents are available to answer questions and assist in the sign-up process at an SC BLUE retail store in Columbia, Greenville or Mount Pleasant (www.SCBlueRetailCenters.com), by toll-free phone lines (877-313-2583 for BlueCross and 888-213-2460 for BlueChoice) or by visiting one of the SC Blue RVs as they tour the state (855-382-2583 for appointments). Or, consumers can shop online by logging ontowww.southcarolinablues.com for BlueCross or www.BlueOptionSC.com for BlueChoice.
SC BLUE RV Tour Stops:
Aiken: Dec. 28-31, 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Planet Fitness, 2531 Whiskey Road
Anderson: Dec. 7-12, 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Doctors Care, 2126 N. Highway 81
Florence: Dec. 21-23, Doctors Care, 2200 South Irby St.
Greenville: Dec. 13-17 and Jan. 11-16, 2016, 9 a.m.-6 p.m., SC Blue Retail Center (Magnolia Park Mall), 1025 Woodruff Road
Myrtle Beach: Nov. 30-Dec. 5 and Jan. 4-9, 2016, Doctors Care, 1221 21st Ave North
Rock Hill: Dec. 13-17 and Jan. 18-23, 2016, Doctors Care, 2174 Cherry Road
Spartanburg: Dec. 9-12 and Jan. 25-31, 2016, Walmart, 141 Dorman Centre Dr.
About BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina
Headquartered in Columbia, and operating in South Carolina for more than 65 years, BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. The only South Carolina-owned and operated health insurance carrier, BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina comprises more than 20 companies involved in health insurance services, U.S. DoD health program and Medicare contracts, other insurance and employee benefits services and a philanthropic foundation that funds programs to improve health care and access to health care for South Carolinians.
About BlueChoice HealthPlan of South Carolina
Also headquartered in Columbia, BlueChoice HealthPlan of South Carolina is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. BlueChoice holds a “Commendable” accreditation from the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) for its commercial business, as well as an NCQA “New Health Plan Accreditation” for its Medicaid business. BlueChoice offers four categories of group health plans, as well as individual plans for adults and families, and a South Carolina Medicaid product.
Both companies hold an A+ rating from A.M. Best.
