Irmo has a quirk most people never think about until Medicare: it sits on both sides of the Lexington County and Richland County line. Medicare Advantage and Part D plans are approved county by county, so two neighbors a mile apart can see different plan lists and prices. That's one of several reasons it pays to have someone check your options by address, not just by town.

Mauldin Insurance Group is an independent Medicare agency based in Lexington, SC, about 20 minutes away. We help Irmo, Dutch Fork, Seven Oaks, and Harbison-area residents compare plans from several carriers, in person or by phone or video, at no cost.

2027 Annual Enrollment runs October 15 through December 7

Changes take effect January 1, 2027. When you read your Annual Notice of Change, focus on your doctors, your hospital, and your drug costs. If none of those got worse, you may be able to keep the plan you have.

What makes Medicare in Irmo different

Two counties, two sets of plans. Depending on your address, you're in Lexington County or Richland County, and the Medicare Advantage and Part D plans available can differ. We always start with your county, so you're comparing plans you can actually buy.

Two hospital systems close by. Irmo residents use Lexington Medical Center, Prisma Health, and MUSC Health in Columbia. Some plans include all of them, and some lean toward one. If your primary care doctor and your specialist are in different systems, that matters.

Lake Murray neighbors. The lake communities near the dam and up toward Ballentine have a lot of retirees, some who moved here from other states. An out-of-state Medicare Advantage or Part D plan likely won't work here, and your move opened a special enrollment period with a deadline.

School district and state retirees. Lexington-Richland Five and state agencies mean many Irmo retirees have PEBA coverage that needs to fit with Medicare. Leaving it for another plan may be permanent. See PEBA and Medicare.

We shop several carriers, not one

A captive agent or a carrier's sales line can only offer that company's plans. We're independent, so we compare Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement, and Part D across several carriers and explain the trade-offs for you. You won't pay more for our help.

Questions Irmo residents bring us

→ Which plans are available at my address, on my side of the county line?

→ Does this plan cover my doctors at Lexington Medical Center, Prisma Health, or MUSC Health?

→ How does my PEBA or other retiree coverage work with Medicare?

→ I moved here from another state. What do I do with my old plan?

→ What will my prescriptions cost at my pharmacy on Lake Murray Boulevard?

Four mistakes we see in Irmo

1. Comparing plans for the wrong county. A plan your neighbor has may not be offered at your address.

2. Splitting doctors across systems without checking. A Lexington doctor and a Columbia specialist may not both be in one plan's network.

3. Dropping retiree coverage too quickly. PEBA and some employer benefits can't be picked back up.

4. Missing the supplement window. Your first six months on Part B is the only time South Carolina supplement companies have to accept you regardless of health.

How we'll work together

We'll confirm your county, then go through your doctors, prescriptions, pharmacy, and any retiree or military coverage. After that, we'll show you the 2027 plans that fit and what each one would likely cost you. We can meet at your house, somewhere nearby, or by phone or video.

Frequently Asked Questions: Medicare in Irmo, SC

What does a Medicare agent in Irmo do? We look up the plans available at your address, compare them against your doctors and prescriptions, and help you enroll. Afterward, we help with claims, network changes, and your review each fall.

Is your help free? Yes. Insurance companies pay agents, and your premium doesn't change because you used one.

When can I change my plan for 2027? October 15 through December 7, 2026, with your new plan starting January 1, 2027. Medicare Advantage members can also make one change from January 1 to March 31.

Why would my plan options differ from my neighbor's in Irmo? Irmo straddles Lexington and Richland counties, and Medicare Advantage and Part D plans are approved by county. Depending on your address, your plan list and prices can be different.

Do Irmo plans cover Lexington Medical Center and Prisma Health? Some cover both and some favor one. Networks change, so we check your specific doctors and hospitals each year.

I moved to Irmo from another state. Do I need a new plan? If you have Medicare Advantage or Part D from your old state, you'll most likely need a South Carolina plan, and your move gives you a special window to choose one. A Medicare Supplement generally moves with you.

I'm a retired teacher from District Five. How does PEBA work with Medicare? PEBA retiree coverage is designed to work with Medicare once you're eligible. Check how any new plan affects it before you enroll, because leaving PEBA coverage may not be reversible.

Is Medicare Advantage or a Medicare Supplement better for Irmo retirees? If your doctors are in a plan's network, Medicare Advantage can cost less each month. A supplement costs more but lets you see any provider that accepts Medicare, which helps if your doctors are spread across systems.

I'm a veteran. Do I still need Medicare? Many veterans keep both. VA care and Medicare don't coordinate, and TRICARE For Life requires Part A and Part B. Delaying Part B can also lead to a lifelong penalty.

Is there help with Medicare costs? Yes. Medicare Savings Programs can pay your Part B premium, Extra Help reduces drug costs, and people with both Medicare and Healthy Connections Medicaid may qualify for a Dual Special Needs Plan.

I'm still working at 65. Do I need to enroll in Part B? You may be able to wait if you're covered through your own or your spouse's current employer. Employer size affects the rules, so check before you turn 65.

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

Can we meet in person? Yes. We're about 20 minutes away in Lexington and can meet at your home or somewhere nearby, or by phone or video. Call or text to set a time.

What areas around Irmo do you serve? Irmo, Dutch Fork, Seven Oaks, Harbison, Ballentine, the Lake Murray Dam area, and nearby Chapin, Lexington, and Columbia.

More for Irmo and Lake Murray

• Turning 65 in Irmo
• Medicare Agent in Ballentine, SC
• Medicare Agent in Lexington, SC
• Medicare Agent in Columbia, SC: 2027 Plans
• South Carolina Medicare Agents for 2027: Find Your Region

Get your 2027 review on the calendar

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

Mauldin Insurance Group serves Irmo, Dutch Fork, Seven Oaks, Ballentine, and communities across South Carolina.