Health Insurance Marketplace
Name: South Carolina uses the Federally-Facilitated Marketplace
Open Enrollment Dates: November 1, 2024 – January 15, 2025
Website: healthcare.gov
Helpline: 1-800-318-2596
TTY: 1-855-889-4325
Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), Health Insurance Marketplaces are available in every state where individuals who do not have insurance through an employer or other source can buy coverage on their own.
Individuals purchasing coverage through the marketplace cannot be denied or charged more for coverage because of a pre-existing condition, including HIV. Marketplace plans also are required to provide a minimum set of “Essential Health Benefits,” including prescription drugs, doctor’s visits, hospital care, mental health care and certain preventative services, including HIV testing and PrEP. Some health plans sold outside of the Marketplace may not offer the same protections or comprehensive benefits.
Individuals may purchase coverage in the Marketplace during the open enrollment period, a specific time period at the end of the year, to begin the first of the year following. People with lower incomes or certain life changes may be able to enroll or change plans at other times of the year. If you qualify for Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Plan (CHIP) you can enroll at any time. To enroll, go the website (or call the helpline) listed above.
Financial assistance may be available to help with monthly premiums and out-of-pocket costs. To see if you may be eligible for financial assistance in the marketplace, click here to use KFF’s subsidy calculator. The amount of any financial assistance will also be estimated when you purchase marketplace coverage.
Medicaid
Name: Healthy Connections
Website: scdhhs.gov
Helpline: 1-888-549-0820
Medicaid is the nation’s health insurance program for people with lower incomes who are U.S. citizens or legal residents for at least five years. Eligibility for Medicaid is based on having a low income, though the level varies by state, and in your state, you are also required to fall into a specific category of eligible people, such as parents of dependent children and people with health conditions serious enough to be classified as having a disability. Many people with HIV qualify as disabled if their condition has progressed and they have been diagnosed with AIDS. You can apply and enroll in Medicaid any time of year or have another type of disability.
Medicare
Website: medicare.gov
Helpline: 1-800-633-4227
Medicare is the federal health insurance program for seniors and younger people with disabilities. To be eligible, you must also be a U.S. citizen or legal resident for at least five years.
Medicare’s open enrollment period for existing policyholders is October 15 – December 7. If you will soon become newly eligible for Medicare because of age, you can sign up during a seven-month period that starts three months before the month you turn 65 and ends three months afterwards.
If you are under 65 and disabled, you can sign up for Medicare during the seven-month period that starts three months before your 25th month of getting benefits and ends three months after your 25th month of getting benefits.
Ryan White and the AIDS Drug Assistance Program
Ryan White Part B Resources
Website: scdhec.gov/health/diseases-conditions/infectious-diseases/hiv-aids-sexually-transmitted-diseases/ryan-white
Helpline: 1-800-322-AIDS (2437)
ADAP Program
Website: scdhec.gov/health/diseases-conditions/infectious-diseases/hiv-aids-sexually-transmitted-diseases/ryan-white
Helpline: 1-800-322-AIDS (2437)
The Ryan White HIV / AIDS Program is a federal program specifically for people living with HIV. It covers outpatient HIV care and treatment for those without health insurance and helps fill coverage gaps for those with insurance. The program may also be able to help with the cost of things like insurance premiums, cost-sharing, and the cost of medication. Other essential support services are available. This may include transportation, housing assistance, dental and mental health, substance treatment and more.
The AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) is part of Ryan White. It helps covers the cost of HIV-related prescription medications for low- to moderate- income people who have limited or no prescription drug coverage. Many states also use ADAP funds to help clients pay for the cost of health insurance including coverage bought through the marketplaces. Each state operates its own ADAP, including determining eligibility criteria and other program elements, such as formularies, resulting in significant variation across the country.
Your local Ryan White / ADAP program can help you figure out what is available to you and the best options for getting access to care and treatment. Click here to learn more about the program and find Ryan White qualified healthcare providers in your area.
