The options for affordable health insurance in South Carolina have expanded significantly in recent years. There are four health insurance companies available in South Carolina on the state exchange, a significant improvement to a few years ago when residents had access to only one provider.
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How to Buy Health Insurance in South Carolina
Some South Carolina residents may already receive health insurance through an employer or the federal government. For those who do not, there are several private insurance companies that offer comprehensive packages to suit a number of individual needs. Most private South Carolina insurers offer health insurance in five tiers: Catastrophic, Bronze, Expanded Bronze, Silver, and Gold. It’s important to understand your specific health insurance needs before selecting an insurance company and a health insurance tier.
How to Apply for Health Insurance in South Carolina
The open enrollment for 2023 health insurance plans in South Carolina begins on November 1, 2022. Health insurance plans in South Carolina are available to residents via federal exchange and private insurance companies.
Health Insurance Carriers In South Carolina
There are four health insurance carriers in South Carolina that are available on the state exchange: Blue Cross Blue Shield, Ambetter (Absolute Total Care), Bright Health, and Molina.
South Carolina Health Insurance Costs Overview
The cost of health insurance in South Carolina will depend on many factors, including the carrier you choose, the tier of package you need, and other factors, including where you live and your general health status. The following premiums are calculated for the average 40-year-old.
As 2025 data is not yet available, we have used statistics from 2024 to reflect costs so you can have an idea of what to expect.
How Much Does Health Insurance Cost in South Carolina?
The average marketplace benchmark premium for health insurance in 2024 is $471 per month.
What is the Cheapest Health Insurance Plan in South Carolina?
Insurers in South Carolina adjust their premiums every year due to fluctuations in health costs and changes in life expectancy. Contact us today to find the plan that suits your needs.
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Cheapest South Carolina Health Insurance Coverage by Metal Tier
As 2025 data is not yet available, we have used statistics from 2024 to reflect costs so you can have an idea of what to expect.
Note that all costs are 2025 pricing from KFF. (source)
Gold Plans
The average lowest cost premium of a Gold Plan in South Carolina in 2025 was $492.
Silver Plans
The average lowest cost premium of a Silver Plan in South Carolina in 2025 was $469.
Bronze Plans
For a Bronze plan, the average lowest premium in 2025 was $35o.
Other Types of South Carolina Health Insurance Coverage
Catastrophic Health Insurance in South Carolina
Catastrophic health insurance plans are available to South Carolina residents under the age of 30. This type of insurance covers worst-case scenarios, like getting seriously injured or very sick.
Short Term Health Insurance in South Carolina
South Carolina residents who missed the open enrollment period or recently lost coverage from an employer may wish to enroll in short-term health insurance. Short-term policies do not meet the Affordable Care Act’s guidelines, and therefore can’t be purchased on the health insurance marketplace.
In South Carolina, short-term health insurance is limited to a term of up to 11 months but can be renewed twice, extending coverage for up to 33 months.
Low Income Health Insurance in South Carolina
To qualify for South Carolina Medicaid, you must be a state resident, a U.S. national, citizen, permanent resident, or legal alien, and someone whose financial situation would be characterized as low income or very low income. Applicants must also be one of the following: pregnant, responsible for a child 18 years of age or younger, blind, disabled, or living with a disabled family member, or 65 years of age or older.
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