South Carolina Small Group Health Insurance 2027 | Thrive

South Carolina · Small group · 2027

South Carolina Small Group Health Insurance: 2027 Carriers, Plans and Rates

Updated October 9, 2026

Two carriers filed 2027 small group plans in South Carolina. BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina and UnitedHealthcare are selling.

Proposed 2027 increases by carrier: UnitedHealthcare +6.0% to +11.5%; BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina +8.8%. Regulators can still lower them.

Get quotes from all two carriersFree. We quote the carriers that didn't publish prices.

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Which carriers sell small group health plans in South Carolina?

One row per brand. Proposed change is each company's average as filed on ratereview.healthcare.gov. Regulators can still lower them.
CarrierNetworks and plan typesWhere it sells2027 plan designsProposed 2027 changePrices
BlueCross BlueShield of South CarolinaPPO: BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina · HMO/PPO: BlueChoice HealthPlanNetworks and plan typesBusiness BlueEssentials, Business Blue Basic Rx; BlueChoice Choice Complete, Choice Core, Choice Select HMOWhere it sellsNot published in public filings2027 plan designsNot publicProposed 2027 change+8.8%PricesQuote only
UnitedHealthcarePPO: UnitedHealthcare Insurance Co. · PPO: UHC of the River Valley · HMO: UnitedHealthcare of South CarolinaNetworks and plan typesChoice Plus Essential, Heritage Plus, Choice Essential HMOWhere it sellsNot published in public filings2027 plan designsNot publicProposed 2027 change+6.0% to +11.5%PricesQuote only

What's changing for South Carolina small group health insurance in 2027?

  1. Average proposed 2027 changes range from +6.0% to +11.5%, as filed. Your group's change also depends on employee ages and the plan you pick.

  2. Proposed 2027 averages run from +6.0% (UnitedHealthcare Insurance Co.) to +11.5% (UnitedHealthcare of South Carolina). The two Blue companies, with over 90% of members, filed about +8.8%. All are pending review.

  3. South Carolina approved a weighted average of +10.9% for 2026. The 2027 filings average about 8.6%.

  4. BlueChoice HealthPlan filed a new Choice Core PPO beside its Choice Complete PPO and Choice Select HMO.

Columbia, South Carolina skyline at sunset behind the Finlay Park fountain

South Carolina small group rules employers ask about

Who counts as a small employer

  • 2 to 50 employees working 30+ hours a week.
  • Owner-only businesses use the individual market.

SCDOI; S.C. Code §38-71-1330, §38-71-1340

How premiums are set

  • By age (federal 3:1 curve), county (46 rating areas) and plan.
  • Tobacco load up to 1.5:1; the Blue carriers use one, UnitedHealthcare doesn't.

45 CFR §147.102; CMS state rating; carrier filings

When you can enroll

  • Any month if you meet participation and contribution rules.
  • Miss those rules and you can still enroll November 15 to December 15 for a January 1 start.

45 CFR §147.104

Tax credit and SHOP

  • The credit pays up to 50% of premiums but needs a SHOP plan.
  • South Carolina has no SHOP medical plan.

IRS Small Business Health Care Tax Credit; SCDOI

South Carolina small group health insurance FAQ

  1. BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina and UnitedHealthcare filed 2027 small-group plans.

  2. Proposed averages run from +6.0% to +11.5%, depending on the carrier. Regulators can still lower them.

  3. Their 2027 rate tables aren't public in the state's filing system. We can quote them for your group.

  4. No. South Carolina's small group market starts at two employees. Self-employed people use the individual market.

  5. Five companies under two brands: BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina with BlueChoice HealthPlan, and three UnitedHealthcare companies.

Small group health insurance in other states

Buying for yourself or your family instead? See the Marketplace plan directory.

Where these numbers come from

Reviewed by Jacob Guidi, licensed health insurance agent (NPN 19902041), Thrive Benefits Group.

Thrive Benefits Group is a licensed broker, not a carrier or government agency. Rates shown are filed 2027 rates for one employee before the employer contribution. Your group's quote depends on employee ages, location, plan choice and carrier rules. Proposed rate changes can still be lowered by regulators.