Less Expensive Temporary Health Plans Launched in South Carolina
August 9, 2011
COLUMBIA & CHARLESTON, SC – August 9, 2011 – BlueCrossBlueShield of South Carolina and TCC of South Carolina announce theavailability of inexpensive short-term health plans called PreferredPersonal Care plans, available to South Carolinians seeking individualinsurance.
These are medical plans designed to be purchased for a short term thatare less expensive than regular insurance, yet preferable to no coverageat all for people who find themselves temporarily without insurance,said Bill Igleheart, a BlueCross vice president for marketing.
Individuals who could use these plans include those waiting for coverageto begin at a new job, those in between jobs, those no longer coveredby a parent’s plan, early retirees or those who have any reason forbeing temporarily without health insurance.
Policies are available for 30, 60, 90 or 120 days with a deductible of$500, $1,000 or $2,500. The premiums vary by age and gender but are lowdue to rates negotiated by BlueCross with an extensive network ofproviders and hospitals in South Carolina.
Policyholders pay the negotiated discounted rate in full until they meettheir chosen deductibles. Then the plan plays 80 percent and theindividual pays 20 percent of the discounted cost until theout-of-pocket maximum of $2,000 is met. At that point, the plan pays 100percent of the necessary cost for covered services.
Coverage includes routine physician care, some preventive care,emergency treatment, laboratory services, outpatient surgery, inpatienthospitalization, inpatient rehabilitation, outpatient physical therapy,ambulance services and durable medical equipment. Policyholders alsoreceive a discount card for prescription drugs.
The plans are administered by TCC of South Carolina and marketed byBlueCross. Detailed plan information is available from local independentinsurance agents or at www.SouthCarolinaBlues.com.
TCC of South Carolina (www.TCCofSC.com)is a full-service third party administrator (TPA) in Charleston, S.C.,excelling in the administration of group health insurance plans. Foundedin 1972, TCC was the first third party administrator in South Carolinaand one of the first in the Southeast. TCC helps companies design fullyinsured as well as self-funded group health plans.
BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina
Founded in 1946 and headquartered in Columbia, S.C., BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina (www.SouthCarolinaBlues.com)is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue ShieldAssociation. The only South Carolina-owned and operated health insurancecarrier, BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina comprises more than 40companies involved in health insurance services, the U.S. DoD healthprogram and Medicare contracts, other insurance and employee benefitsservices, and a philanthropic foundation that funds programs to improvehealth care and access to health care for South Carolinians.
