MURRELLS INLET--Southeastern Health Plus, a local healthcare equipment provider, says changes in Medicare may hurt its business and it says those changes may impact handicapped people in Horry County who use their services.
Under S.C. Law, Section 12-36-2120 (74) durable medical equipment and related supplies are exempt from sales tax in South Carolina.
But, places like Southeastern Health Plus say they still have to pay the state close to 6% in income taxes and 2% to Horry County.
"We are paying taxes, but exempt from collecting them," said Katherine Elliott, President of SEHP.
Places like SEHP also now receive 1.4% less in reimbursements from Medicare, once those cuts went into effect this year.
"When there's less money coming in, then you have to cut some things. You either cut your staffing, which we've already done, we've lost three people, or you cut through services, the quality of services, or the quality of product that you are offering," said Elliott.
Those cutbacks could hurt more than 1,000 handicapped people in Horry County who use their services.
Linda Rowan, who uses wheelchairs and mobile products because she suffers from Polio, says she can't imagine having to drive out of Horry County or even South Carolina to purchase the medical equipment she needs to move around.
“If I’m without this wheelchair for even a day then I’m stuck at home. It’s unthinkable to me,” said Rowan.
SEHP says they'll fight South Carolina lawmakers to remove them from the exemption. Washington is the only other state with the same sales tax exemption.
They also stress that they are not cutting back on any services at this time but they may be forced to cut back on business in the future.
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