South Carolina Firefighter Cancer Health Care Benefit Plan

Program Benefits

This Program must conform to SC Code of Laws §23-9-197 and any insurance law and/or regulations promulgated by the State of South Carolina. Eligible claims will be paid for a qualifying cancer diagnosis, where the diagnosis occurred on or after July 1, 2021. Benefits to an eligible firefighter upon diagnosis include:

A one-time benefit of $20,000 upon the firefighter’s initial diagnosis. This benefit is a one-time, lifetime benefit, for a single diagnosis of a qualifying type of cancer, regardless of how many different diagnoses are received by the applicant.
Annual reimbursement of up to $12,000 for any out-of-pocket medical expenses due to the treatment of an eligible form of cancer, including deductibles, copayments, or coinsurance costs incurred. This benefit can be paid for separate diagnoses of different forms of eligible cancer. Under no circumstance will the total annual benefit exceed $12,000.
A $75,000 death benefit for a firefighter who dies as a result of cancer or circumstances that arise out of the treatment of cancer. All of the benefits arising out of such death are available to the deceased firefighter’s beneficiary. This benefit is a one-time, lifetime benefit.

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FAQs

What types of cancer are covered?

Cancer Definition and Types of Cancer Covered: Pursuant to SC Code of Laws §23-9-197 (A)(1), “cancer” includes malignant neoplasms of the following body areas and organ systems:

Central and peripheral nervous system;
Oropharyngeal;
Respiratory tract;
Gastrointestinal tract;
Hepatobiliary;
Solid organ and endocrine;
Genitourinary and male reproductive;
GYN;
Skin, soft tissue, and breast; and
Bone and blood

Am I eligible?

Plan Eligibility Requirements for South Carolina Firefighters: Pursuant to SC Code of Laws §23-9-197, the following definitions apply when determining eligibility for the Plan:

Fire Department: “means any organization located and based in South Carolina that provides rescue, fire suppression, and related activities including any public or government-sponsored organizations, excluding federal agencies, engaged in rescue, fire suppression, and related activities.”
Firefighter: “means any person, paid or unpaid, engages in rescue, fire suppression, or related activities, under the supervision of a fire chief or fire department in this State or who is employed by the State Commission of Forestry, South Carolina State Fire, or a forestry district for the purpose of fire protection.” Upon being diagnosed with a covered type of cancer, the Plan shall provide benefits to a firefighter, as defined above, “only if the firefighter has served in a South Carolina fire department/forestry commission for at least five continuous years and been in active service within ten years of the diagnosis.”

What are the eligibility requirements?

Proof of eligibility may include, but is not limited to:

Proof of at least five continuous years of service with a fire department/forestry commission (as defined by S.C. Code Ann. 23-9-197) that is located and based in South Carolina,
proof of active service may include, but is not limited to: a certificate of Fire Department/Forestry Commission Associations from the South Carolina Office of State Fire Marshal that has been validated by the signature of the applicant’s fire chief and/or an official letter from the applicant’s fire chief attesting to the applicant’s tenure of service with the department.
and/or proof of employment by the State Commission of Forestry or a forestry district for the purpose of fire protection and proof of active service with a South Carolina fire department/forestry commission (as defined by S.C. Code Ann. 23-9-197) within 10 years of the diagnosis,
proof of diagnosis of an eligible form of cancer (as defined by S.C. Code Ann. 23-9-197) on or after July 1, 2021, to establish the claim and receive the $20,000 onetime benefit,
documentation of out-of-pocket medical expenses related to the eligible cancer diagnosis for the twelve thousand-dollar ($12,000.00) reimbursement benefit,
a death certificate listing the eligible form of cancer used for payout of the other Plan benefits or circumstances that arise out of the treatment of the eligible form of cancer used for the payout of the other Plan benefits as the primary or secondary cause of death, to receive the $75,000 death benefit.

Service Operational Timeline: The benefits of the Plan are operational and provide coverage to eligible firefighters who are diagnosed with a covered type of cancer on or after July 1, 2021.

What is the effective date?

Firefighter Cancer Health Care Benefit Plan is effective as of July 1, 2021.

Source: SCStateHouse.gov

Is this program available for volunteer firefighters?

Yes, this program is available for volunteer firefighters.

Start a Claim

To start your cancer claim, please provide your information as the Claimant as well as the information of the Chief/Authorized Member of your Fire Department/Forestry Commission. This Chief will validate your eligibility for this benefit. If you do not know the Chief information, please input “Zorrina Harmon” as the Chief First and Last Name and "Zorrina@scfirefighters.org” as the Chief Email and she will validate your eligibility. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Zorrina Harmon.

Before starting a claim, please certify that the FIVE points below can be verified and are true:

Proof that you were an active firefighter for a South Carolina Fire Department/Forestry for 5 continuous years (Ex: Certificate of Fire Department Associations available through the State Fire Marshal's Office is preferred, or a Membership Application indicating date, meeting minutes accepting member into membership, or a letter from FD indicating length of active service).
If retired, terminated, or separated from the fire department, proof that your diagnosis occurred within 10 years of active fire service (Ex: Certificate of Fire Department Associations available through the State Fire Marshal's Office is preferred, or meeting minutes identifying separation/retirement of the member, a letter from FD indicating official date of termination, separation, or retirement).
Proof of a definitive and unequivocal diagnosis on or after July 1, 2021, made by a physician specializing in the condition for which the benefits are being claimed. Pathology report from a biopsy is preferred. In its absence, on a case by case basis, we will review MRI, CT Scans, Pet Scans, or other testing that may support the diagnosis.
The Cancer Expense Reimbursement Benefit is available to cover deductibles, co-insurance, or co-pays. For reimbursement: Please present a HCFA1500, UB04, or CMS1500 (that includes an applicability of assignment and any balance due), related Primary Health Insurance Explanation of Benefits (EOB), and any receipts regarding proof that payment has been made.

South Carolina Firefighter Cancer Health Care Benefit Plan

Program Benefits

FAQs

Start a Claim

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