South Carolina Medicare Coverage Guide
Find dental, vision, hearing aid, and nursing home Medicare benefits available to South Carolina residents.
South Carolina Dental Coverage
South Carolina Medicaid covers limited dental for dual-eligible beneficiaries. Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) dental program serves the population.
Available Programs
- SC Medicaid Dental
- Medicare Advantage dental plans
- MUSC James B. Edwards College of Dental Medicine
Typical Out-of-Pocket Cost
$700–$2,500/year
Costs vary by plan, provider, and income. Dual-eligible (Medicare + Medicaid) beneficiaries often pay much less.
Tips for South Carolina Residents
- MUSC dental school in Charleston offers quality low-cost care
- SC SHIP (1-800-868-9095) for plan guidance
- Competitive MA markets in Columbia and Charleston
South Carolina Vision Coverage
SC Medicaid covers vision for dual-eligible members. MA plan options vary by county.
Available Programs
- SC Medicaid vision
- Medicare Advantage vision
- SC Commission for the Blind
Typical Out-of-Pocket Cost
$200–$450/year
Costs vary by plan, provider, and income. Dual-eligible (Medicare + Medicaid) beneficiaries often pay much less.
Tips for South Carolina Residents
- SCCB: 803-898-8731 for vision rehabilitation
- Annual diabetic eye exam covered by Part B
- SC SHIP: 1-800-868-9095
South Carolina Hearing Aids Coverage
Medicare does not cover hearing aids. SC has limited audiology centers outside major cities.
Available Programs
- Medicare Advantage hearing plans
- SC School for the Deaf and Blind
- SC Assistive Technology Program
Typical Out-of-Pocket Cost
$1,000–$6,500 per pair
Costs vary by plan, provider, and income. Dual-eligible (Medicare + Medicaid) beneficiaries often pay much less.
Tips for South Carolina Residents
- SCSDB: 864-577-7521 for resources
- SCATP: 1-800-915-4522 for assistive technology
- SC SHIP: 1-800-868-9095
South Carolina Nursing Home Coverage
Medicare Part A covers SNF. SC Medicaid covers long-term care. SC has an active HCBS waiver program.
Available Programs
- Medicare Part A SNF
- SC Medicaid LTC
- Community Choices waiver
- SC SHIP (1-800-868-9095)
Typical Out-of-Pocket Cost
$200–$270/day semi-private
Costs vary by plan, provider, and income. Dual-eligible (Medicare + Medicaid) beneficiaries often pay much less.
Tips for South Carolina Residents
- Community Choices waiver supports home-based alternatives
- SC has affordable nursing home costs
- SHIP: 1-800-868-9095
📊 Live CMS Data South Carolina Medicare Snapshot
Source: CMS Medicare Monthly Enrollment 2024 & CMS MA Landscape 2025 — public data from data.cms.gov
- UnitedHealth
- Humana
- BlueCross BlueShield SC
Get Free Help in South Carolina
SHIP Counseling
Your state's State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) offers free, unbiased Medicare counseling from trained volunteers. They can help you compare plans and enroll.
Find South Carolina SHIP →1-800-MEDICARE
Call 1-800-633-4227 (TTY: 1-877-486-2048) 24/7 for Medicare questions, plan comparisons, and enrollment help. Free and official.
Medicare.gov →Medicare Plan Finder
Use the official Medicare Plan Finder tool at Medicare.gov to compare all Medicare Advantage, Part D, and Medigap plans available in South Carolina by ZIP code.
Compare Plans →Nursing Home Compare
Research and compare nursing home quality ratings, staffing levels, health inspection results, and more for facilities across South Carolina.
Care Compare →