If you live anywhere in the Pee Dee, there's a good chance your hospital care happens in Florence. People drive in from Darlington, Lake City, Marion, Dillon, and Hartsville to see specialists here. That makes Florence's two big health systems the center of almost every Medicare decision in the region.

Mauldin Insurance Group is an independent Medicare agency based in Lexington, SC. We help Florence-area residents compare plans from multiple carriers by phone or video, and there's never a charge for that.

Your 2027 decision window: October 15 to December 7

Whatever plan you land on during Annual Enrollment starts January 1, 2027. The most important line in your Annual Notice of Change is the one about which hospitals and doctors are in network. If your Florence hospital and specialists are still covered and your costs didn't jump, you may not need to change a thing.

What matters most for Medicare in Florence

Two major hospital systems. McLeod Health and MUSC Health Florence both serve the region, and Medicare Advantage plans don't always include both. If your heart doctor is at one and your surgeon is at the other, the plan you pick decides whether both visits are covered. Contract disputes have affected Florence members before. Read what Florence-area Healthspring members should know about MUSC.

Many people travel in for care. If you live in a smaller Pee Dee town, your plan has to work for your local doctor and for the Florence specialists you'd be referred to. Checking only the local side is a common miss.

Help with costs is often available. A lot of Pee Dee households qualify for programs that lower Medicare costs and don't know it. Medicare Savings Programs, Extra Help with prescriptions, and plans for people with both Medicare and Healthy Connections Medicaid can make a real difference. Here's what dual-eligible South Carolinians should do now.

State and university retirees. Francis Marion University, Florence-Darlington Technical College, and area school districts mean many retirees have PEBA coverage that has to work with Medicare. Leaving it may be permanent.

The value of seeing more than one carrier

A captive agent can only show you the plans of the company they work for. We're independent, which lets us compare Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement, and Part D plans from several carriers in one conversation. There's no extra cost, and your premium doesn't change.

How we help people across the Pee Dee

→ Confirming your McLeod or MUSC Health Florence doctors are in a plan's network

→ Making sure a plan covers both your hometown doctor and your Florence specialists

→ Screening for Medicare Savings Programs, Extra Help, and Dual Special Needs Plans

→ Seeing how PEBA, TRICARE For Life, or VA benefits fit with Medicare

→ Pricing out your prescriptions at your usual pharmacy

Four mistakes we see in the Pee Dee

1. Picking a plan that covers only one Florence hospital system. If your doctors are split between McLeod and MUSC, that can get expensive fast.

2. Leaving money on the table. Many people who qualify for help with Part B premiums or drug costs never apply.

3. Checking the local doctor but not the specialist. Referrals to Florence are common, so check both ends.

4. Waiting to get a supplement. Your first six months with Part B is the one time every South Carolina supplement company has to take you, whatever your health. Later on, you can be declined.

Meeting with us

We'll talk through your doctors in Florence and at home, your medications, your pharmacy, and whether you might qualify for extra help. Then we'll explain which 2027 plans fit and what you'd likely spend with each. We do it all by phone or video, so you don't have to drive anywhere.

Frequently Asked Questions: Medicare in Florence, SC

What can a Medicare agent in Florence do that I can't do online? We compare plans from several carriers against your actual doctors, hospitals, and prescriptions, explain the trade-offs, and handle the enrollment. Afterward, we help with claim problems and review your coverage each fall.

Do you charge for your help? No. The insurance companies pay agents, and your premium is the same either way.

When can I make changes for 2027? During Annual Enrollment, October 15 through December 7, 2026. New coverage begins January 1, 2027. If you're in a Medicare Advantage plan, you also have one change available from January 1 to March 31.

Do Florence Medicare Advantage plans include both McLeod and MUSC Health? Some include both, and some favor one system. Networks can change year to year, so we check your doctors and hospitals each time.

I live in Darlington, Marion, or Lake City. Do I need to worry about Florence networks? Yes, if there's any chance you'll be referred to a Florence specialist or hospital. A plan should cover your local doctor and the Florence providers you'd use.

How do I know if I qualify for help paying for Medicare? Medicare Savings Programs and Extra Help are based on income and resources. We can walk through the basics with you and help you apply if it looks like you qualify.

I have Medicare and Medicaid. What are my options? You may qualify for a Dual Special Needs Plan, which coordinates both programs and often adds extra benefits. We'll show you what's available in Florence County.

Is Medicare Advantage or a Medicare Supplement better here? Medicare Advantage often has a low or $0 premium with a network and copays. A supplement costs more monthly but works with any provider that accepts Medicare. Your doctors, health, and budget decide which fits.

I retired from a school district or Francis Marion. How does PEBA work with Medicare? PEBA retiree coverage works with Medicare once you're eligible. Check how any outside plan affects it before enrolling, since leaving PEBA coverage may not be reversible.

I'm still working at 65. Do I need Part B now? Possibly not. If you have coverage through your own or your spouse's current employer, you may be able to wait without a penalty. Employer size matters, so check before your birthday.

Can I switch from Medicare Advantage to a supplement later? You can apply, but after your first six months on Part B, supplement companies in South Carolina can ask health questions and decline you. Get approved first, then cancel.

Do you meet in person in Florence? Most of our Pee Dee clients meet with us by phone or video, so there's no drive involved. Call and we'll set up a time.

What areas around Florence do you serve? Florence and the whole Pee Dee, including Darlington, Hartsville, Lake City, Timmonsville, Marion, Mullins, Dillon, and Bennettsville.

More for the Pee Dee

• Turning 65 in Florence
• Turning 65 in the Northern Pee Dee
• PEBA and Medicare for Teachers and State Retirees
• South Carolina Medicare Agents for 2027: Find Your Region

Schedule your free review

Call or text 843-509-2462, or visit mauldininsurancegroup.com.

Mauldin Insurance Group serves Florence, Darlington, Hartsville, Lake City, Marion, and communities across South Carolina.