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Health Insurance Plans Made Easy and Affordable
Trying to find the right health insurance plan for you or your family can be a complex, often difficult task. Just trying to find the best carrier can be stressful and confusing on its own. That is why the Health Insurance Solutions Team was founded – to take the stress and confusion out of the health insurance process. Our goal is to help hardworking men and women find the best protection for their unique needs.
Unlike some health insurance brokers, we make every effort to learn about the kind of health insurance you really need. When you speak with an agent from The Health Insurance Solutions Team, know that we will never try to upsell you on a plan that you can’t afford. Instead, your knowledgeable, helpful health insurance agent in Charleston will help you navigate the uncertain waters of the health insurance world. Once we understand the health insurance plan you need, we will explore your options. That way, you can leave our conversation feeling informed about your health insurance options and confident that you are making the best choice possible.
We are proud to have served people just like yourself for more than 15 years at the Health Insurance Solutions Team. We have helped countless individuals, families, and business owners find the coverage they need at a price that won’t send them into bankruptcy. If you know that you need health insurance but don’t know how to start or what to look for, we’ve got good news – you’re in the right place.
Service Areas
Do You Really Need Health Insurance?
Before we talk about the solutions that our health insurance broker in Charleston provides, we should address the elephant in the room. Everyone regardless of age or health, can benefit from a health insurance plan. Even the healthiest of people want to maintain their health and have protection in the event of a catastrophe. One of the best ways to stay healthy and plan for unexpected events is to visit your doctor for an annual check-up. When you have a health insurance plan, these visits are often fully covered by your insurance carrier when you choose an in-network doctor. Without health insurance, you will be responsible for the full cost of any medical care – even routine check-ups with your primary care physician. If something horrible happens, and you don’t have health insurance, you may have to pay the full amount for the emergency care you receive. Even young, healthy individuals can benefit from the right health plan. After all, nobody plans on getting sick or injured, but bad things can happen to anyone. Something unexpected like a broken leg can cost more than $7,000 to treat when you don’t have coverage. A three-day stay in a hospital can cost upwards of $30,000. That can be an incredible amount of money to pay out of pocket. Having a health insurance plan set in place can help you get quality care at a much more affordable price, especially if something unforeseen happens.
Who We Serve
At the Health Insurance Solutions Team, our mission is to educate and empower our clients so that they can get the best access to medical care possible. Because everyone has their own unique set of needs when it comes to health plans, we serve a wide range of clients.
Individuals
Individual plans, also called personal health plans, are health insurance policies that you can purchase solely for yourself. When you work with Health Insurance Solutions, your health insurance agent in Charleston will go over your health plan options and help find the best fit for your needs. Individual health plans are not tied to your employer, so you can make a career change without having to worry about losing your health insurance. For individual plans, we offer major medical, short-term, and fixed benefit plans that include life, dental, vision, and other coverage options.
Families
Finding the right health plan for your family can be a real challenge, but our experienced health insurance agents are here to help. We understand that not all members of your family will have the same needs. To help your family get the best coverage possible, we search for custom plans that will meet each of your family members’ needs. Whether you’re looking for major medical coverage or fixed-benefit plans with no deductibles, our experts are here to serve you. Common coverage options include vision, dental, life, STD and LTD, long-term care, and more.
Self-Employed
Entrepreneurs have their own set of needs in terms of health plans and how much they can afford to spend on coverage. Once thought of as a small percentage of the workforce, 57 million Americans freelanced in 2019 alone, according to the Upwork and Freelancers Union. If you are a consultant, independent contractor, or freelancer, the Health Insurance Solutions Team will find a plan that caters to your current needs and future endeavors. Common health insurance plans for self-employed people include vision, life, dental, and stand-alone prescription coverage. We also offer major medical, supplemental, short-term, and fixed-benefit plans at a range of prices that you can afford.
Small Business
Offering health insurance to your employees is one of the best ways to keep your team happy and attract diligent workers to your company. If you are a business owner who wants to provide health insurance to your employees but cannot do so because the cost of benefits is too high, worry not. Our experienced health insurance agents will work directly with your employees to help them find the coverage they can afford. We also offer hybrid plans that can be customized so that both you and your employee’s needs are met. Whether you need a major medical package or voluntary benefits only, the Health Insurance Solutions Team has got you covered. Common small business health insurance plans include life, LTC, medical, vision, 401K administration, and dental insurance.
Travelers
If you travel regularly for business or pleasure, it pays to plan ahead and protect yourself. Because unexpected events happen all the time, you could lose a lot of money if your business trip or vacation is canceled at the last minute. Situations like this can be particularly concerning on international business trips and on long vacations. Whether you get sick before your trip or have valuables within your baggage stolen, traveler’s insurance can help minimize expensive cancelation fees and costs.
Most Popular Types of Coverage
Figuring out the kind of insurance you need is a crucial part of the health insurance process. Do you have a prescription for eyeglasses or contacts? Do you have a condition that requires you to visit the doctor on a regular basis? Health insurance plans change depending on what you need. At the Health Insurance Solutions Team, we will provide you with a trusted health insurance agent in Charleston to help you choose the best plan for your budget.
Here are a few of the most popular types of coverage that our clients ask about:
Major Medical
This type of insurance covers minimum essential benefits and meets the standards of the ACA for family and individual coverage. Major medical insurance is a fantastic option to choose if you want to be sure all of your medical expenses are covered. Major medical plans usually cover ten essential benefits:
- Outpatient Procedures or Ambulatory Care
- Hospitalization
- Check-Ups and Preventative Care
- Prescription Medications
- Emergency Services
- Pediatric Care Services
- Laboratory Services
- Newborn and Maternity Care
- Addiction Counseling and Mental Health Care Services
If your goal is to cover a full range of care, major medical plans are often the best choice. We recommend you contact our office today to learn more about the major medical plan options available to you. As a licensed, private health insurance broker in Charleston you do not need to wait until Open Enrollment to protect yourself with a major medical insurance plan.
DENTAL
From basic cleanings to complex procedures like root canals, dental work can be awfully expensive. When you have dental insurance, you will have peace of mind knowing that you won’t have to pay for your procedure out of pocket. In general, a quality dental insurance policy will cover some or all of the following:
- Routine cleanings and checkups (copay may be required)
- X-Rays
- Filling Cavities
- Bridges, Implants, and Crowns
- Root Canals and Repair Work
- Emergency Services Oral Surgery, etc.)
It should be noted that some types of dental equipment and services may be covered at higher levels of coverage. While preventative work like cleanings is typically covered, some procedures require out-of-pocket costs.
VISION
Usually purchased as an addition to your medical insurance, vision insurance helps cut back on costs associated with eye care Like dental insurance, vision insurance is great if you know that you will regularly visit the eye doctor or just want to protect yourself for a “worst case scenario.” In general, a quality vision plan will cover some or all of the following:
- Routine Eye Exams
- Medical Eye Care
- Vision Correction Products (Eyeglasses, contacts, etc.)
- Surgeries for Vision Correction (LASIK, etc.)
It should be noted that not all types of vision insurance will cover medical issues related to eye care. For instance, if your optometrist discovers a medical problem during your eye exam, they may refer you to a different doctor. While vision insurance may not cover all eye-related medical services, major medical health insurance often does.
LONG-TERM CARE
It might be hard to imagine at this stage of your life, but as you age, there is a chance that you will need long-term care services. The question is, how will you or your loved ones pay for this kind of care? Many people choose to eliminate the burden of senior care by purchasing long-term care insurance. Services like meal preparation, medication assistance, and help with day-to-day activities like bathing are not covered by regular health insurance plans. Long-term care insurance will help you or your children lessen the expense of care when you have chronic medical conditions, dementia, or disabilities. When you speak to one of our health insurance agents, ask if you can purchase a policy that reimburses you when you receive care in the following locations:
- Routine cleanings and checkups (copay may be required)
- In a nursing home
- In your own home
- In an assisted living center
- At a long-term residential senior facility
Expert Help Is Only a Phone Call Away
We call ourselves the Health Insurance Solutions Team because we are committed to finding you the best, most affordable options for your health insurance needs. We work with all the major insurance carriers, such as:
- Aetna
- Advent Health
- United Healthcare
- National General
- Humana
- Transamerica
- Many More
Unlike some health insurance brokers who only care about making a sale, we don’t view you as a financial transaction. We believe that serving others never goes out of style. That’s why we prefer to educate you on your health coverage options so that you can make an informed decision. As your health insurance agent in Charleston, we would be honored to help you seek out a plan that is the perfect fit for your life. You will receive the same excellent level of service whether you are a business owner with employees or a single individual.
When you’re ready to protect yourself and your family with quality health insurance, we will be here to help guide you along the way. Contact us today so that we may discover your insurance needs and provide you with a quality insurance solution that will give you peace of mind for years to come.
Call us (843) 364-9155 for a complimentary consultation and evaluation of your healthcare coverage.
Latest News in Charleston
US Dept. of Labor: Charleston Walgreens employed 12-year-old worker
Emilie Zuhowski
CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - A Charleston location of the nation’s second-largest pharmacy chain is in violation of child labor laws, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.A Walgreens store located at 1115 Old Town Rd. in Charleston failed to comply with federal labor laws setting minimum age standards and limiting the number of hours and times a minor-aged employee can work.The department’s wage and hour division found the store allowed a 12-year-old employee to work before reaching age 14, the minimum age for emp...
CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - A Charleston location of the nation’s second-largest pharmacy chain is in violation of child labor laws, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.
A Walgreens store located at 1115 Old Town Rd. in Charleston failed to comply with federal labor laws setting minimum age standards and limiting the number of hours and times a minor-aged employee can work.
The department’s wage and hour division found the store allowed a 12-year-old employee to work before reaching age 14, the minimum age for employment in non-agricultural occupations covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act, a news release stated.
“We take any allegations of minors working under the age of 14 very seriously, especially if it’s non-agriculture,” U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage & Hour Division Community Outreach and Resource Planning Specialist Colin Trimble said.
The investigation also found that the store allowed the minor to work more than 8 hours on a non-school day, more than 18 hours during a school week and after 7 p.m. on multiple days, which violates work hour standards for employees under 16 under the Fair Labor Standards Act.
Walgreens could not provide the required documents to prove they paid the minor over a two-month period. The department found Walgreens did not maintain records of pay and lacked records of hours worked and the date of birth for the worker.
The department assessed Walgreens with a $7,034 civil money penalty for the child labor and recordkeeping violations and recovered $368 in back wages for the youth.
Trimble said the investigation reviewed a two-year period between July 2019 and July 2021. The incidents took place in April and May of 2021.
“Minors under the age of 18 who decide to work they deserve safe working experiences that don’t jeopardize their health, wellbeing, or education,” Trimble said.
Trimble also said they tend to find child labor violations in certain industries where minors are more likely to be employed, like retail, restaurants, grocery stores, or recreational establishments like marinas and golf courses.
“We prioritize the protection of young workers regardless of the industry they’re working in,” Trimble said.
Live 5 reached out to Walgreens, but they said they would not be making a statement at this time.
For more information about child labor laws, click here.
You can also contact the agency’s helpline at 866-4US-WAGE.
Copyright 2022 WCSC. All rights reserved.
Two of the best restaurants in US are found near this SC vacation destination, Yelp says
Simone Jasper
Two of the nation’s best restaurants are right here in South Carolina, new rankings show.Jackrabbit Filly and Lola — both in North Charleston — were named among the “Top 100 Places to Eat in 2022,” according to Yelp.The business review website said it came up with the findings after gathering ...
Two of the nation’s best restaurants are right here in South Carolina, new rankings show.
Jackrabbit Filly and Lola — both in North Charleston — were named among the “Top 100 Places to Eat in 2022,” according to Yelp.
The business review website said it came up with the findings after gathering user favorites and curating the list. It determined “the top restaurants by ratings, number of reviews, and volume of submissions, with geographic representation based on equal share of submissions of top-rated restaurants nationally.”
Of the 100 restaurants named the best in the country by Yelp on Wednesday, Jan. 19, only two were in South Carolina.
Jackrabbit Filly came closest to the top, ranking No. 6 nationwide. The restaurant describes itself as a “Heritage Driven New Chinese American Restaurant” that encourages reservations and serves food family-style.
“That means everything is meant to be shared,” the restaurant said on its website. “Usually, we recommend two items more than the number of guests at the table. Nobody will stop you if you want to do the whole shebang.”
On its Yelp page, the restaurant boasts a 5-star rating, with some customers raving about the menu’s dumplings, fried rice and Sichuan Hot Karaage, a Japanese fried chicken dish. Shuai and Corrie Wang were running a food truck that focused on rice bowls before starting the restaurant in 2019.
“Named after Shuai and Corrie’s Chinese zodiac animals, Jackrabbit Filly proudly serves heritage driven New Chinese American cuisine in a fun, friendly neighborhood environment,” the business said on its website.
Also earning a spot on the nationwide Yelp list was Lola, which landed at No. 22. The restaurant said it serves “authentic Cajun and Creole cuisine” in a welcoming atmosphere.
“On our menu, you’ll find all kinds of low-country Louisiana seafood options, like our famous overstuffed PoBoys, perfectly seasoned crawfish, and our flavorful creole jambalaya,” Lola said on its Yelp page.
Some Yelp users couldn’t get enough of the restaurant’s customer service and were fans of its fried oysters, etouffee and other seafood dishes, helping it score 4.5 of 5 stars. The restaurant has a permanent location and also offers catering services.
“We first got started serving our Louisiana cuisine out of a food truck back in 2010,” a restaurant owner wrote on Yelp. “Since then, thanks to the support of our community, LoLA expanded to include the brick-and-mortar restaurant you know today.”
Both of the winning restaurants in the Palmetto State are in North Charleston, a city of about 115,000 people. The nearby vacation destination of Charleston is no stranger to being recognized on a wide scale.
In October, The New York Times named Hannibal’s Soul Kitchen among the U.S. eateries it’s “excited about right now.”
Also, the city’s Off Track Ice Cream shop was named the best dessert spot in the state on another Yelp list, McClatchy News reported in February.
On the latest Yelp rankings, top honor in the nation went to Cocina Madrigal, a Mexican restaurant in Phoenix, Arizona.
14 unwritten rules of Charleston, SC
Alexandra Garian
There is a certain pride that comes with living or growing up in Charleston. Often, it manifests itself in quirky ways, like specific city knowledge, trends, and colloquialisms. Think: What is proper etiquette when walking down King Street? We’ll get into that. If you happen to be lucky enough to be from the Holy City, here are a few unwritten rules you may know to be true submitted by readers on ...
There is a certain pride that comes with living or growing up in Charleston. Often, it manifests itself in quirky ways, like specific city knowledge, trends, and colloquialisms. Think: What is proper etiquette when walking down King Street? We’ll get into that.
If you happen to be lucky enough to be from the Holy City, here are a few unwritten rules you may know to be true submitted by readers on Instagram + through email — and if you’re not from Charleston, you might want to save this article for future reference.
“Never talk politics at Happy Hour. Always discuss the weather.” – Reader Ken B.
“During rainy season, keep an eye on the tide charts when planning to drive through downtown.” – Reader Erin C.
“Don’t be using the horn when driving unless it’s an absolute emergency and even then, probably don’t use the horn.” – Anon Reader
“Handwritten thank you notes are a must!” – Reader Ellen D.
“King Street sidewalks:
“Keep an eye out for the one-way streets ” – @charleston_food_spot
“Don’t have any part of your tires on the asphalt when you park at the beach … $50 parking ticket automatically (might be higher now).” – @thejoelsario
“Don’t feed the seagulls!” – @holycityglass
“When the [Krispy Kreme] hot sign is on, you always have to stop…” – @stan_kablick
“Always have an umbrella during the summer, regardless of the forecast ” – @kateringram
“When merging on to 17 N. from Coming St. downtown, KEEP moving! Change lanes LATER!” – @eruss28
“You don’t have to pay the meter on Sundays!” – @charleston_food_spot
“East Bay from the aquarium to Harris Teeter is a 2 lane street, but it only fits one car.” – @notcharliehabakus
“Shop local. Support local. Eat local…” – @jeanneaeverett
Black-owned Businesses to Support During Your Next Trip to Charleston, South Carolina
DeAnna Taylor
When most people think of Charleston, South Carolina, images of Rainbow Row, the picturesque Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge, and dozens of award-winning restaurants that call the city home likely come to mind. But what many tend to overlook are the diverse, Black-owned businesses that add their own piece o...
When most people think of Charleston, South Carolina, images of Rainbow Row, the picturesque Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge, and dozens of award-winning restaurants that call the city home likely come to mind. But what many tend to overlook are the diverse, Black-owned businesses that add their own piece of history to the culturally rich destination.
Charleston's Gullah-Geechee residents are a part of the Black community, ensuring the city never loses its cultural flare. Many have now opened businesses or set up booths in the popular straw market to sell handcrafted pieces you'll only find in this region.
For those who aren't familiar with the Gullah-Geechee people, they are descendants of enslaved Africans who arrived to various Sea Island plantations — mostly from West African nations. Since then, they've passed down many traditions that visitors love, including sweetgrass basket weaving.
Planning a trip to the Holy City? Here's how you can spend your time in Charleston while supporting Black-owned businesses.
Owned by Black Entertainment Television cofounder Robert Johnson, the Courtyard Charleston Historic District is said to be the only full-service Black-owned hotel in Charleston, according to a spokesperson at the Charleston Convention & Visitors Bureau. It's located on Calhoun Street in the heart of downtown, just a short walk from the popular shopping area of King Street. Plus, the hotel has an on-site bistro, fitness center, and pool.
Since 2015, Franklin Williams has run a family-owned tour business, called Frankly Charleston, which takes visitors to the area's lesser-known neighborhoods. During the two-hour downtown tour, you'll get a closer look at how Charleston's enslaved population lived in comparison to their neighbors. Stops include The Citadel, Mother Emanuel AME Church (the site of the 2015 Charleston mass shooting), and more.
If you're interested in learning more about the area's Gullah-Geechee people and culture, reserve a spot with Gullah Tours, hosted by Alphonso Brown, or Gullah Geechee Tours with Godfrey Hill.
Daddy's Girls Bakery is just one of the many places that whips up the popular brownie-like bars made with brown sugar — but they'll also tell you the other recipes don't compare to Aunt Landa's. In addition to the original version of the Lowcountry dessert, the bakery makes a chewie cheesecake and dozens of other sweet treats, like chicken and waffle cupcakes and oatmeal raisin sandwich cookies.
Stop by Charleston's Gallery Row and pop into Meisha Johnson's Neema Fine Art Gallery, housed in a building that once printed Confederate money. Johnson handpicks the award-winning artists and jewelers that are displayed in the space. Currently, you can find works from Romare Bearden, Dana Coleman, Noland Anderson, and more.
Make your way to The Tiny Tassel, a colorful boutique owned by Mimi Striplin. Here, you'll find Striplin's signature tassel earrings, fun trinkets, gifts like Charleston-inspired candles, and handmade clothing sewn by her mother. When you shop, not only will you be supporting the boutique, but you'll also be supporting the nearly one dozen women- and Asian-owned brands that featured in the store.
Opened in late 2021, 1st Place is owned by the same team behind Charleston's Mesu and Bourbon n' Bubbles. The upscale bar has over 20 TV screens, so you can catch all of your teams at once. On the menu, you'll find what the owners call "elevated pub fare," including a black bean burger, local peel and eat shrimp, funnel cake fries, and more. There's also a selection of beers on tap and a weekend brunch every Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
You can't go to Charleston without getting a bowl of okra soup and some version of the area's seafood rice. Luckily, My Three Sons has both. This family-owned eatery, which was opened by Antwan Smalls, his mother (Lorraine Smalls), and Alice Warren in 2015, serves up everything from Gullah rice (a play on the original seafood rice made with tilapia, sausage, and shrimp) to Antwan's pecan brownie and seafood platters.
At Bertha's Kitchen, a longstanding counter-style restaurant, try the red rice — a Charleston staple — fried chicken, and fried pork chops, and at Nana's Seafood & Soul, order the devil crab. And for a nightcap, Mesu offers an extensive tequila selection and creative cocktails like the La Sombra (tequila, cinnamon simple syrup, pineapple juice, and citrus).
$119M paid for Charleston apartments; nearly 300 rental residences slated for Johns Island
Warren Wise
A Boston-based multifamily investment firm recently paid $119 million for a Charleston-area apartment complex and a couple of adjoining parcels in one of the priciest commercial real estate deals in the Lowcountry.West Shore bought the 320-unit Sweetwater Apartments at 12000 Sweet Place off Clements Ferry Road in late December for $115 million, or about $360,000 per key. The company paid an additional $4 million for two adjacent tracts along Nowell Creek that are earmarked as Phase II of the multifami...
A Boston-based multifamily investment firm recently paid $119 million for a Charleston-area apartment complex and a couple of adjoining parcels in one of the priciest commercial real estate deals in the Lowcountry.
West Shore bought the 320-unit Sweetwater Apartments at 12000 Sweet Place off Clements Ferry Road in late December for $115 million, or about $360,000 per key. The company paid an additional $4 million for two adjacent tracts along Nowell Creek that are earmarked as Phase II of the multifamily development.
A spokesman said the new owner has no plans for additional development on the creekside parcels.
The luxury apartment complex includes six deepwater docks, private boat ramp and a kayak launch point.
The previous owner was Kassinger Development Group, an upscale apartment builder with offices in Charleston and Asheville.
The acquisition is not West Shore’s first in the Lowcountry.
In September, the company paid $53.6 million for the 220-unit 17 South Apartments at 105 Ivy Green Way off Savannah Highway near the Carolina Bay community in West Ashley.
Along with its recent Sweetwater acquisition, the company also bought the 264-unit Vantage at Wildewood Apartments in Columbia and the 322-unit Uptown Village Apartments in Gainesville, Fla. Terms for the two properties were not disclosed.
The three acquisitions are “in some of the fastest growing” areas of the U.S. and all of them are “positioned for further growth,” said Lee Rosenthal, president of West Shore.
The new purchases bring the firm’s total multifamily assets to more than 12,000 units.
More multifamily
Two new rental housing developments are in the works for Johns Island that will bring nearly 300 new residences.
The Berry Companies of Charlotte wants to build 72 multifamily units on nine acres at 3030 Maybank Highway while Virginia-based Middleburg Communities is proposing 145 single-family rental homes, 52 townhomes and 14 duplexes on 46 acres at 3486 and 3492 Maybank.
The Middleburg project is being called Hamlet at Maybank while the Berry proposal has not been named, according to site plans submitted to the city of Charleston.
The Hamlet at Maybank site is northeast of Boyd Hayes Road, where a 16-acre commercial project of retail, residential and restaurant uses called Hayes Park has been in the works for four years.
Changing hands
A Mount Pleasant real estate investment firm recently paid $13.3 million for seven industrial and flex buildings with 91,000 square feet of space off U.S. Highway 78 south of Summerville.
WRS Real Estate Investments bought four buildings totaling 40,000 square feet at 131-135 Elliana Way and 10162 Bellwright Road from Dean Hensley Enterprises LLC of Summerville for $5.68 million, according to Berkeley County land records.
WRS also bought three buildings with 51,000 square feet at nearby 210, 216 and 217 Cember Way from Summerville Industrial Partners LLC of Jacksonville, Fla., for $7.625 million, land records show.
The properties, ranging from 2,000 to 10,000 square feet, are 100 percent leased by 18 different tenants, according to Pat Marr of WRS.
“With the growth in industrial rents, we feel good about the maket continuing to rise for smaller tenants who have fewer options,” Marr said.
Future development on the site could include an additional 13,000 square feet of industrial space.
Springing forth
The Historic Charleston Foundation will present the 75th Festival of Houses & Gardens March 16-April 9 in downtown Charleston.
The event has traditionally been the nonprofit group’s largest fundraiser since 1947. It offers glimpses into historic homes and gardens on the Charleston peninsula.
The festival is spread over three weeks with walking tours, lectures and special events that highlight Charleston’s history and culture.
The in-person ticket office will be open for sales and ticket pickup from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. daily starting March 14 at Shop Historic Charleston at 108 Meeting St.
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