HEALTH INSURANCE
For Individuals and Families in South Carolina
Carrier Direct
CARRIER DIRECT
We strongly encourage anyone who does NOT qualify for a federal subsidy to apply directly with the insurance carrier to simplify enrollment and obtain the best rates.
Click the carriers below to be redirected to the BCBS or BChoice website. Should you need it our Agent ID is AHE951.
GOING
SHOP INDIVIDUAL
& ICHRA PLANS
ABOUT
Marketplace
MARKETPLACE COVERAGE
Use this site when you think you might qualify for lower cost or subsidized insurance individually or via an ICHRA.
No Email or Phone # Required to Shop
Strongly encourage clients to set up a zoom session for enrollment to make sure all questions are correctly answered to obtain the best outcome.
COVERAGE
TO DETERMINE SUBSIDY ELIGIBILITY:
UNDERWRITTEN
Alternative
Plans
UNDERSTANDING
SHORT TERM
HEALTH PLANS
Short Term health plans are a very popular choice for low utilizers or healthy individuals seeking mainly catastrophic coverage.
Underwriting is required and we highly encourage you to book time with us online or in person to fully understand the risks and benefits.
PLUS DENTAL & VISION
from
United Health ONE
If you are eligible for ICHRA through an employer and need the ICHRA Enrollment form? CLICK HERE
MORE DETAILED GUIDANCE FOR THOSE WHO WANT IT:
When shopping for individual coverage you basically have three options:
-
Purchase your major medical policy directly through Blue Cross or Blue Choice without a subsidy. This is the FIRST option above and is the best plan if your spouse or other family member has group coverage and you need a more affordable or different option.
-
Use an ACA/Obamacare plan subsidized by the federal government and sold through an online platform or HC.GOV (if you qualify). This is the SECOND option above. We highly reccomend our clients use www.843healthmarketplace.com instead of healthcare.gov as it is easier to shop and navigate and provides the same end results.
-
Purchase a short term health plan from United Health. There are also a few other carriers but we have found their combination of medical/dental/vision to be most effective, especially when paired with their GAP policy. This coverage tends to cost much less but is more basic. New for 2020 UHC started offerring a 33 month policy period before having to reapply. Underwriting is required and you can be turned down.
Determining which option to use and making sure you understand the differences is where it gets tricky. We create a buying guide below each year for open enrollment with the latest updates and suggestions.
But we know this can still be confusing so if you need assistance and would like to set up an appointment to review your current plan, look at other options, or enroll in new coverage, please do so using the BOOK ONLINE feature which is synced to our calendar.
Good luck and happy health!
Dave Williams, President
843 Benefits and Health Marketplace
843 Health Marketplace
Insurance Buying Guide for 2021
(for those that still insist on doing it themselves)
Every year we try to put together a detailed strategy guide to help people understand their options and the changes taking place in the industry. This fall, United Healthcare has continued to gain market share with their TRI TERM 33 month Short Term plan. We think this continues to be a great option for those seeking more minimalist coverage as long as you can pass underwriting and don't already qualify for a subsidy to reduce the cost with traditional insurance. It will be interesting to see how the new administration in Washington treats these policies as they would prefer to have everyone in the general risk pool to offset the cost of high utilizers. Buy now or forever hold your peace!
Another new player in the market came along in 2020 and has worked to improvie their network in the area. Molina Healthcare, which has larger marketshares in other parts of the country, is a limited network option on for those on or off the federal marketplace. We had a few clients get burned last year so we are still skeptical but if the price is right and the network works for you, it looks like a good value.
The newest unveiling from BCBS and Blue Choice involves a direct partnership with MUSC. These plans identified as COOPER plans work similarly to an HMO or limited network plan and focus mostly on MUSC physicians and facilities. The cost savings is about 25% so its worth considering if you don;t already have a primary physician or are comfortable staying in the MUSC network.
If you happen to be reading this outside of Open Enrollment (Nov 1- Dec 15) we strongly encourage you to seek an appointment with us as we have a few suggestions to help get you through the end of the year.
But if not, please see below for some detailed guidance on how to proceed.
*Some of the links provided take you to carrier direct sites where we do not control the content. If you are ever asked if someone is helping you with the application please include our National Producer Number (NPN) 7112573 so we can continue to provide free advice and help follow up with any future issues.
STEP ONE:
Do you qualify for a Federal Subsidy?
If the answer is YES or ???:
You need to determine if you qualify for a tax credit to reduce your premium. Use your household AGI as shown on your last tax return or for more accuracy, estimate your 2021 AGI and go to our portal at www.843healthmarketplace.com.
-If you DO qualify for a subsidy, follow the prompts, choose a few plans to compare and make your elections. There is no fee for doing this and you are getting the absolute best rates possible. We are available just about anytime to help you through the application process if you don't feel comfortable or don;t get the results you expected.
-If you DO NOT qualify for a subsidy/tax credit, please exit that site and use our carrier direct links. The plans are more simply organized on the carrier direct sites and you will experience better service avoiding hc.gov. Also...In the past, silver plans designed for subsidy elligible members cost MORE on the marketplace than they did directly.
STEP TWO:
If the answer is NO:
Please use our CARRIER DIRECT LINKS below or set up an appointment to come meet with us. Because it is not open enrollment, we will not be compensated by the carrier for helping you so we must charge the consulting fee prior to booking your appointment.
If you do not qualify for a special enrollment period or SEP, we can not sell you an ACA plan from Blue Cross or Blue Choice outside of open enrollment.
The only other option to get full coverage without exclusions is to set up a small group plan. You need at least two corporate participants to set this up and we need to go over some other requirments with you as well. So the best option here would be to BOOK ONLINE. Again there is no fee for this service.
CARRIER DIRECT LINKS
1. If you are looking for individual coverage and you do not qualify for a subsidy/tax credit, the below links will take you directly to our quoting pages with each carrier. You should not need to enter any of our information for you to be credited as an 843 BHM client but just in case you don't see it, our National Producer Number is 7112573.
For BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD :
Carrier Link: BlueEssentials from BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina
For BLUE CHOICE :
Carrier Link: BlueOption from BlueChoice HealthPlan of South Carolina
For UNITED HEALTH ONE :
Carrier Link: United Health ONE underwritten by Golden Rule
For NATIONAL GENERAL :
Carrier Link: National General Alternative ACA Options
FINAL NOTES FOR ENROLLMENT SUCCESS
Remember, our portal at 843healthmarketplace.com and the carrier direct links are completely free.
As an 843BHM client you will still receive the Wellness Program benefits regardless of which route you take as long as we are listed as your broker/agent of record.
Please also be aware that our portal is maintained by Health Sherpa. You may see emails or redirects online with their information if you stray from our pages. Please be sure you enroll only with an 843 Health Marketplace representative or NPN (7112573) otherwise we may not be able to represent you.
For any questions or comments please GET IN TOUCH and we'll respond as quickly as possible.
Good Luck and We Hope this Guide has been Helpful!
Dave Williams
CEO | Founder 843 Health Marketplace
Dave Williams and 843 Benefits and Health Marketplace are authorized agents for
BlueCross and BlueShield of South Carolina.
Get A Quote is offered by BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina,
an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.