Employers to Receive Most Insurance Rebates, Not Employees

Columbia, S.C. (WOLO) — While it may be exciting to anticipate an insurance rebate due to the Affordable Care Act, insurance officials say most citizens won’t actually see any of that money. Through August 1, $13.2 million dollars in health care insurance premium rebates will be split between a little over 200, 000 South Carolinians, due to the Affordable Care Act. “It’s exciting news to hear refunds will be made to citizens,” said director of insurance for the South Carolina Department of Insurance, Ray Farmer, says folks should look a little deeper, beyond the words ‘rebate’ and ‘refund.’ The facts are that if the individual bought their own health care insurance, they can expect a refund. If the coverage is provided through their employer, the employer will use that money,” said Farmer. Farmer notes since the majority of South Carolinians are covered through their places of employment, the majority of us will not pocket the estimated $80 – $94 dollars due to be refunded. For those who are due a refund, ‘if the individual paid by check or direct deposit, they could expect it to be refunded maybe that way or as a credit for future premiums.” While hundreds of thousands in the Palmetto State await a rebate this week, health care officials say more than 90% of the citizens who were uninsured before coverage was offered through Affordable Care Act since it rolled out in 2010, remain uninsured. If you have questions or need additional information, you may call the State of South Carolina Department of Insurance’s consumer help line at 803-737-6180.