CANCER BENEFITS

The State of South Carolina is seeking bids from licensed and qualified insurance companies to maintain an insurance policy that underwrites a state-wide cancer benefit program for eligible South Carolina firefighters. The program will provide cancer health and death benefits to eligible firefighters who are diagnosed with certain forms of cancer. The contract will have a one-year term with four one-year renewal options, and the maximum contract period is for a total of five years. • The insurance policy must provide reimbursement of up to $12,000 annually for out-of-pocket medical expenses, a one-time benefit of $20,000 upon initial diagnosis, and a $75,000 death benefit for firefighters who die as a result of cancer. • The policy must only begin providing coverage on July 1, 2026, and the current policy expires on June 30, 2026. • The State Fire Marshal will administer the program and select the covering insurance policy through a competitive bidding process. • The program is contingent upon appropriate funding, and the State Fire Marshal must identify best practices to establish employer cancer prevention.