If you live in South Carolina, you have a number of options for Medicare coverage, including Original Medicare (parts A and B), Medicare Advantage (Part C), and Medicare Part D (drug coverage).

Whether you’re retiring next month or next year, it’s never too soon to learn about your Medicare options in South Carolina.

Medicare is a federal health insurance program that provides health coverage to adults ages 65 years and older as well as adults with disabilities. You can use Medicare as your primary health coverage, supplemental coverage, or even backup coverage in addition to another coverage policy.

This article reviews Medicare plan options for people residing in South Carolina, including what to consider when choosing a plan, plan eligibility, and how to enroll.

2025 Medicare trends in South Carolina

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) reports the following information on Medicare trends in South Carolina for the 2025 plan year:

  • A total of 1,215,655 South Carolina residents are enrolled in Medicare.
  • The average Medicare Advantage monthly premium changed from $13.90 in 2024 to $14.25 in 2025.
  • There are 97 Medicare Advantage plans available in South Carolina for 2025, compared with 94 plans in 2024.
  • All South Carolina residents with Medicare have access to a Medicare Advantage plan, including plans with $0 premiums.
  • There were 8 Medigap plans offered in South Carolina for 2024. Medigap plans for 2025 have not yet been announced.

There are several Medicare plans available in South Carolina, including Original Medicare (parts A and B), Medicare Advantage (Part C), Medicare Part D (drug coverage), and Medigap (supplemental coverage).

Original Medicare

Original Medicare, often referred to as Part A and Part B, covers all basic health needs. It may include coverage for the following:

  • doctors’ visits
  • hospital (inpatient and outpatient) care
  • surgery
  • lab tests
  • home health care

Medicare Advantage plans

Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans provide all-in-one coverage from private health insurance agencies.

Along with covering the costs of hospital and medical care, Medicare Advantage plans can be tailored to match your needs, such as by adding prescription drug, dental, or vision coverage.

Some Medicare Advantage plans in South Carolina even provide the option of additional coverage for wellness programs or transportation needs.

Insurance carriers offering Medicare Advantage plans in South Carolina include:

Medicare Advantage plans in South Carolina have a wide range of premiums and benefits, so research several plans to find the best fit for your health coverage needs. Keep in mind that providers vary by county, too, so be sure you’re comparing plans that are available in your county.

To research plans in your area, enter your ZIP code into this online Medicare search tool.

Medicare Part D

Medicare Part D is Medicare’s prescription drug coverage. You may purchase a Medicare Part D plan from Medicare or as part of a Medicare Advantage plan.

Medicare supplement plans (Medigap)

Original Medicare doesn’t pay for all healthcare costs. Depending on your needs, you may decide to get Medicare supplement insurance, also called Medigap. These policies can help you pay for deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments.

It’s worth noting that you cannot have a Medigap plan and a Medicare Advantage plan at the same time. Medigap only helps cover the costs of Original Medicare.

In South Carolina, many insurance companies offer Medigap plans. Some of the companies offering Medigap plans across the state include:

With all the options to choose from, it can be hard to know which Medicare plan is right for you. When comparing plans, consider the following:

Does your current Original Medicare plan cover all your healthcare needs?

If not, consider adding Plan D coverage or research Medicare Advantage plans in South Carolina for more comprehensive coverage. Research the cost of the plan and compare that to your out-of-pocket health expenses for the last year to determine your budget.

Will you need health services in the next year, such as vision or dental services, a hearing screening, or wellness classes?

Consider all your current and future healthcare needs. For example, will you need vision, hearing, or dental services? Are you interested in enrolling in wellness classes? When researching plans, see what additional benefits they each offer.

Is your current doctor network approved?

When reviewing Medicare Advantage plans in South Carolina, remember that each carrier works with different network doctors. Call your doctor’s office to ask what insurance plans they accept, and choose a plan that will cover your doctor.

Have you read reviews of each carrier and plan?

Thousands of people before you have enrolled in Medicare plans, and you can read firsthand experiences to see if your potential carrier provides quality coverage.

Before enrolling in a Medicare Advantage plan in South Carolina, check the CMS star ratings for the plan. This rating system uses a scale from 1 to 5 and shows if a plan provides great quality care and customer service.

The rating is based on how well the plan performed in the previous year, giving you a good idea of the overall quality of the plan. Plans that rank a 3 or lower may not provide great coverage and service, so consider choosing a plan that has 4 stars or higher.

Medicare is available to older adults across the country. To be eligible for Medicare in South Carolina, you must:

  • be 65 years old or older
  • be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident of the United States
  • have qualified for Social Security or Railroad Retirement benefits

You may also be eligible regardless of age if you’re living with certain disabilities or chronic health conditions, such as end stage renal disease (ESRD) or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

To enroll in Medicare Advantage plans in South Carolina, you’ll need to be enrolled in Original Medicare.

When can you enroll in South Carolina’s Medicare plans?

You can sign up for Medicare for the first time around your 65th birthday. This initial enrollment period starts 3 months before your 65th birthday and extends 3 months after your birthday. Many people are automatically enrolled in Original Medicare.

If you haven’t been automatically enrolled, or you want to enroll in Part D coverage or a Medicare Advantage plan, there are two set periods each year when you can enroll in Medicare or switch between carriers or plans:

  • Open enrollment period (January 1 to March 31): You can easily enroll in Medicare or switch plans during this period.
  • Annual enrollment period (October 15 to December 7): This is the second set period to reevaluate your coverage and switch or enroll in a Medicare plan.

You can also enroll during special enrollment periods. You may qualify to change your Medicare South Carolina plan or enroll if your job status has recently changed, you no longer have employer insurance, you have moved to a new coverage area, or you have a chronic illness or disability.

You can use the following resources if you have any questions about Medicare plans in South Carolina or how to enroll:

  • Medicare.gov provides access to more information about Medicare plans in South Carolina. Use the find a plan tool or call 800-633-4227.
  • The South Carolina Department on Aging (SCDOA) provides services to older adults in South Carolina and works with regional organizations to improve the quality of life for older adults. Call them at 800-868-9095.
  • GetCareSC connects you with services in your area, provides help with Medicare enrollment, and provides information on emergency financial assistance. Call them at 800-868-9095.
  • South Carolina Healthy Connections provides information on Medicaid, affordable insurance programs, and eligibility for assistance. Call them at 888-549-0820.

As you evaluate your health insurance needs for the year ahead, consider all your Medicare options, including Original Medicare (parts A and B), drug coverage (Part D), and Medicare Advantage plans (Part C).

Then, determine your coverage needs and your budget. Compare plans that match your needs, and check the CMS star ratings on Medicare plans in South Carolina to select a great plan.

Read more about your options on the carrier website, then apply online or call one of their representatives to verify all the coverage details and start the application paperwork.

Whether you’re applying for Original Medicare for the first time or want to switch providers for more comprehensive coverage, there are a number of qualified Medicare plans in South Carolina that will help you stay healthy.