In September 2020, the General Assembly passed legislation establishing the Firefighter Cancer Healthcare Benefit Plan. This law creates a supplemental insurance policy for paid and unpaid firefighters who are South Carolina residents and who are diagnosed with cancer. The state budget for FY 2021-2022 includes $3.7 million to fund this benefit plan.
The types of cancer that the supplemental insurance policy covers include
- central and peripheral nervous system;
- oropharyngeal;
- respiratory tract;
- gastrointestinal tract;
- hepatobiliary;
- solid organ and endocrine;
- genitourinary and male reproductive;
- gynecological;
- skin, soft tissue, and breast; and
- bone and blood.
Through the plan, a firefighter is entitled to
- a one-time benefit of $20,000,
- an annual out-of-pocket expenses reimbursement of up to $12,000, and
- a $75,000 death benefit.
More information about the firefighter health benefit can be found online or by emailing info@scfirefighters.org.