Getting Ready for Open Enrollment 2021
The health insurance open enrollment period for 2021 will, as it has in previous years, begin on November 1 and run through December 15, 2020. The Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) income-based subsidies on premiums also remain intact, which means many South Carolinians will again be eligible for free, zero-premium bronze plans on the Marketplace.
While South Carolina is one of just 12 states who chose not to expand Medicaid under the ACA, more than 200,000 South Carolinians select health insurance plans under the Marketplace plans available on HealthCare.gov each year.
Those numbers have remained relatively static in recent years, despite the fact that more than 400,000 South Carolinians remain uninsured, 59,000 of which are eligible for Medicaid and another 179,000 are eligible for ACA subsidies. Together, that’s more than half of our state’s uninsured who are eligible for some form of subsidized coverage. For hundreds of thousands of our state’s citizens, affordable health insurance is within their reach.
For those individuals, obtaining health insurance can be transformative. Preventative and primary care can become a regular part of their lives, leading to a healthier life and preventing chronic conditions down the road. The sense of security that comes from being prepared for an unexpected health emergency also allows families to save money for other things, like buying a home or sending their kids to college.
214,000 South Carolinians took advantage of affordable coverage purchased on the Health Insurance Marketplace in 2020, and reports show that 9 out of 10 plans purchased through the Marketplace received a tax credit.
This year, open enrollment is more important than ever. The impact of COVID-19 has increased our state’s health challenges while also creating a volatile labor market that has wreaked havoc on the uninsured. In May 2020, researchers estimated that South Carolina’s uninsured rate could rise as high as 20%, with an uncertain future ahead that won’t be fully known until after this open enrollment period.
Now, more than ever, we must do everything we can to ensure South Carolina continues its journey towards a better state of health. Individuals interested in accessing affordable health coverage should reach out for free, localized help to discuss their options. Call 888-998-4646 or go to signupsc.org. Experts will guide SC residents through the process to find out what they qualify for and what options are available that best fit their needs.
For hospitals interested in promoting Open Enrollment, SCHA has tools and resources available here.