Health insurance open enrollment to close
January 25, 2016
BlueCross® BlueShield® of South Carolina and BlueChoice® HealthPlan of South Carolina urge people not yet enrolled in a 2016 health insurance plan to sign up before the Jan. 31 deadline, or face a significant penalty at tax time.
The Affordable Care Act requires that nearly everyone have health insurance or pay a penalty when they file taxes. The penalty is $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 Scott Graves. “With more plan options available for 2016, we have the lowest rates of any plan in South Carolina. I am confident we have a plan to fit the needs of all South Carolinians.”
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 and888-213-2460 for BlueChoice) or by visiting one of the SC Blue RVs on their final stops (855-382-2583 for appointments).
Consumers also may shop online by logging into www.southcarolinablues.com for BlueCross or www.BlueOptionSC.comfor BlueChoice. And they may meet with independent agents, including select State Farm and Liberty Tax agents. Coverage purchased between Jan. 16-31 will take effect March 1.
Final RV Tour Stops:
Greenville: Jan. 25-29, 9 a.m.-7 p.m.; Jan. 30, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Jan. 31, noon-5 p.m.; at Walmart, 1451 Woodruff Road.
Spartanburg: Jan. 25-30, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; Jan. 31, noon-5 p.m.; at Walmart, 141 Dorman Centre Dr.
About BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina
Headquartered in Columbia and operating in South Carolina for nearly 70 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
Headquartered in Columbia, BlueChoice HealthPlan of South Carolina is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. BlueChoice HealthPlan has an “Accredited” status from the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) for its commercial business and for its Medicaid business. BlueChoice HealthPlan offers four categories of group health plans, as well as individual plans for adults and families, and a South Carolina Medicaid product.
