South Carolina Group Health Insurance & Employee Benefits Solutions

Health benefits are one of the most important tools South Carolina businesses can use to stay competitive in today’s job market. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, around 70% of private-sector workers in the U.S. have access to employer-sponsored medical plans—and employees are paying close attention to what their benefits packages include. In South Carolina, where small and medium-sized businesses play a major role in the economy, offering strong employee benefits is more than a perk—it’s a business necessity.

Whether your company is based in Charleston, Columbia, Greenville, or a smaller town, group health insurance helps attract and retain top talent, improve productivity, and create a workplace where employees feel secure and valued. It’s also a smart investment for employers, often resulting in tax advantages and increased employee satisfaction.

Taylor Benefits Insurance specializes in helping South Carolina employers design cost-effective, fully customized group health insurance and benefits plans that fit their workforce and financial goals. This page will explain your options and show why a trusted partner like Taylor Benefits can make all the difference.

Why Health Insurance Benefits Matter to SC Businesses

South Carolina employers are facing a highly competitive hiring landscape. Skilled employees are in demand across industries like healthcare, manufacturing, logistics, and technology. Offering a comprehensive group health insurance plan isn’t just helpful—it’s expected.

Here’s how strong employee benefits make a difference:

• Attracting Skilled Workers: Many job seekers won’t even consider a company that doesn’t offer health insurance. Competitive benefits help employers stand out in the crowd.

• Employee Retention: Employees with access to good coverage are more likely to stay with their current employer. This saves businesses from the high cost of turnover and retraining.

• Healthier Workforces: Employees who have regular access to doctors, mental health professionals, and wellness care tend to be more productive and take fewer sick days.

• Tax Incentives: In South Carolina, employer-paid premiums are tax-deductible. Small businesses may also qualify for health care tax credits through the federal Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP). South Carolina Department of Insurance even maintains an official portal outlining the health benefits that local employers must offer under regulations set by the Affordable Care Act.

In short, group insurance and benefit plans support both the long-term health of your team and the financial strength of your business.

Types of Group Health Insurance Plans in the State

When looking for employee health coverage in South Carolina, businesses can choose from a range of plan types depending on their size, budget, and employee needs. Here are some of the most common group insurance models:

• Fully-Insured Plans: The insurance company handles all claims and administration. Employers pay a fixed premium, and coverage is predictable.

• Self-Funded Plans: Typically used by larger companies, these plans allow businesses to pay claims directly. They offer flexibility but also more risk.

• Level-Funded Plans: A blend of both, level-funded plans offer fixed payments with a chance to save if actual claims are lower than expected.

• PPO and HMO Plans: PPOs (Preferred Provider Organizations) offer more freedom to choose providers, while HMOs (Health Maintenance Organizations) usually come with lower premiums but limited networks.

South Carolina employers can also combine medical insurance with Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) or Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) to give employees added financial flexibility.

Taylor Benefits Insurance works with all major carriers, helping employers compare group health insurance plans and choose the one that fits their workforce best.

Large Group Medical Coverage Programs

One of the significant components of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is the requirement that insurers include coverage for the following ten minimum essential coverage benefits in all plans:

1. Ambulatory patient services (outpatient care)
2. Emergency services
3. Hospitalization, including surgical and medical
4. Maternity and newborn care, including delivery
5. Mental health and substance use disorder services
6. Prescription drugs
7. Rehabilitative services and devices
8. Laboratory services
9. Preventative and wellness services, including chronic disease management
10. Pediatric services, including dental and vision care for children under the age of 19

In addition to the required inclusion of these group plans, health care services must be affordable, defined as charging premiums that do not cost more than 9.12 percent of the subscriber’s gross income. The coverage must absorb sixty percent of the cost for a typical patient.

In some states, insurance must cover more services. SC has added to the requirements, mandating these benefits:

1. Congenital anomaly (cleft palate)
2. Diabetes care and supplies
3. Reconstructive surgery following mastectomy
4. Off-label prescription drug coverage

It’s also important to note that lifetime limits on coverage are prohibited. However, employers can choose the delivery structure for the program they want to offer their workers, allowing them to provide one option or more than one that meets the other requirements. For example, the company can choose a traditional indemnity program.

More commonly, businesses offer coverage through HMOs, PPOs, or Point of Service programs. Further, employers of any size can offer team coverage.

Small Business Healthcare Benefits Packages

Small businesses make up over 99% of all businesses in South Carolina, and many assume they can’t afford to offer group health plans. The good news is that several options make employee benefits accessible even to companies with fewer than 50 employees.

• SHOP Marketplace: Small businesses can find Affordable Care Act (ACA)-compliant plans through the federal Small Business Health Options Program. These plans offer essential health benefits and allow employers to receive tax credits.

• QSEHRAs (Qualified Small Employer Health Reimbursement Arrangements): Employers can reimburse employees for premiums and out-of-pocket medical costs without providing a traditional group plan.

• Chamber or Association Plans: In some industries, small employers may be eligible for group rates through trade associations or local business groups.

Taylor Benefits Insurance helps small businesses across South Carolina—from Spartanburg to Myrtle Beach—evaluate these options and create tailored benefit packages that fit their budget.

What Should an Employee Benefits Package Include?

To build a well-rounded benefits package, it’s important to go beyond basic health insurance. Employees in South Carolina value a range of benefits that address their medical, financial, and personal well-being. Consider including:

• Dental and Vision Coverage: Often excluded from regular health plans, dental and vision insurance is still highly important to employees and their families.

• Group Life Insurance: Affordable life insurance coverage is a valuable benefit that provides financial security.

• Short-Term and Long-Term Disability: These plans protect employees’ income if they can’t work due to illness or injury.

• Mental Health Services: Counseling, therapy, and tele-mental health access are increasingly seen as essential.

• Retirement Savings: Employers who offer 401(k) plans with matching contributions provide significant value to their workforce.

• Paid Leave and PTO: Sick leave, vacation time, and family leave show that you support work-life balance.

• Wellness Programs: Gym memberships, step challenges, and tobacco cessation programs can lower insurance costs and improve employee morale.