SC Health Insurance (York: house, employment, to buy)

[nuevaluz]

Does SC have health insurance for working people who earn below a certain income? I'm specifically talking about folks who work part time, and as a result don't have the benefits of full time employment. For example, here in NY I teach ESL for 2-3 programs at a time, and therefore must find my own insurance. I subscribe to a program called GHI Healthy NY, which is like a PPO, and costs me $236/mo, about a third of what major insurance plans cost in NY; no deductable; $20 doc copay; $10 prescrp copay. Unfortunately, when I move to SC next month, I'll have to give up GHI. I'm looking for full-time employment in the Chas area, but in the event it becomes necessary for me to hustle a living via part time work, I'll need to come up with a health plan. I'm a 52/YO man who doesn't smoke or drink, and doesn't have any health issues. I rarely need to visit the doctor outside of routine exams, and don't take any prescription drugs regularly. However, one can never be too sure. Things do happen. Any advice will be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

[jenn02674]

As far as I am aware of there isn't a program like that. I wish there was. I am a widowed therefor single mom and I have to buy my own insurance for myself and my son through Blue Cross Blue Shield of SC. It is about $340/month with a $5000 deductable, $35 copay for none specialty doctors, $65 copay for specialists, and no prescription coverage although I do get a "discount". Fortunately neither of us have any major medical problems.

Now, there is the SC CHIP program, but that might be mostly for children and of course medicaid, but since I own a house and have some savings, I don't qualify for either. It's hard, really, really hard.

[Jammie]

Jenn, is that really a 5,000 deductible or did you add one too many zeros? That would be so high if you were to get sick.

[ru-bare]

Originally Posted by nuevaluz

Does SC have health insurance for working people who earn below a certain income? I'm specifically talking about folks who work part time, and as a result don't have the benefits of full time employment. For example, here in NY I teach ESL for 2-3 programs at a time, and therefore must find my own insurance. I subscribe to a program called GHI Healthy NY, which is like a PPO, and costs me $236/mo, about a third of what major insurance plans cost in NY; no deductable; $20 doc copay; $10 prescrp copay. Unfortunately, when I move to SC next month, I'll have to give up GHI. I'm looking for full-time employment in the Chas area, but in the event it becomes necessary for me to hustle a living via part time work, I'll need to come up with a health plan. I'm a 52/YO man who doesn't smoke or drink, and doesn't have any health issues. I rarely need to visit the doctor outside of routine exams, and don't take any prescription drugs regularly. However, one can never be too sure. Things do happen. Any advice will be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

CommuniCare - for the working uninsured (broken link)

[nuevaluz]

Thank you ru-bare, that's what I'm talking about!

[smalloch]

Hey there, NYorker. Are you sure you want to move to the south? YOu are probably better off financially up there unless you have a lot of $$$$$$ to put down on a house. Otherwise you will feel like you are uninsured, which is basically how I feel under the SC BC/ BS health plan. I moved here from the west coast and I don't know how people can afford to be sick here.