South Carolina Marketplace Plans 2027 | Thrive

South Carolina · Open enrollment Nov 1 – Jan 15

South Carolina Marketplace Health Insurance: How to Choose a 2027 Plan

Updated October 8, 2026

Open enrollment for 2027 runs November 1, 2026 to January 15, 2027 on HealthCare.gov.

South Carolina had 6 Marketplace insurers and 125 plans for 2026. How many you can choose from depends on your county.

Prices are going up for 2027. South Carolina insurers filed increases of about 11% to 46% before tax credits. Compare again even if you like your plan.

Find my South Carolina planFree. See your price after tax credits.

What's changing in the South Carolina Marketplace for 2027?

  1. UnitedHealthcare leaves Cherokee, Chester, Colleton, Lancaster, Laurens, Lee, Marlboro and Union. Members there must choose a new insurer for 2027.

  2. First Choice Next proposes 10.7% and UnitedHealthcare 45.5%. BlueCross, the largest insurer with about 300,000 members, proposes 14.8%. These are before tax credits.

  3. The extra tax credits ended after 2025. If your income is above 400% of the federal poverty level, you generally pay the plan's full price.

  4. Molina's federal rate filing lists no Marketplace plans for 2027, but no exit notice is public. Check HealthCare.gov on November 1.

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

Which metal level fits how you use care?

Metal levels set how you and the plan share costs. The network, not the metal level, decides which doctors you can see.

  1. Lowest monthly price, from $336 at age 40 before tax credits. You pay more when you get care: the typical deductible is $7,500. 0 Bronze plans work with a health savings account (HSA).

  2. Only Silver plans get extra savings on deductibles and copays for lower incomes. If you qualify, Silver can cost less to use than Gold. From $456 at age 40; typical deductible $6,000 before those savings.

  3. Higher monthly price, from $476 at age 40, but a much lower typical deductible of $2,000. Often the better deal with several visits, a planned procedure or ongoing prescriptions.

South Carolina 2026 plans. Monthly premium for one person before tax credits, in the lowest-priced area of the state. Deductibles are for one person, in network. Also available: 0 catastrophic plans for people under 30.
MetalPlansFrom, age 40Typical deductibleDeductible range
BronzePlans38From, age 40$336Typical deductible$7,500Deductible range$0–$10,600
SilverPlans53From, age 40$456Typical deductible$6,000Deductible range$0–$7,900
GoldPlans34From, age 40$476Typical deductible$2,000Deductible range$0–$4,150

Which insurers sell Marketplace plans in South Carolina?

6 insurers sold South Carolina Marketplace plans in 2026, and 5 or 6 are expected for 2027. Not every insurer sells in every county, so your ZIP code decides your choices.

2026 plans. Lowest monthly premium before tax credits, any metal level except catastrophic. CMS rating is the Marketplace Quality Rating System overall score. 2027 change is each insurer's average as proposed. Final 2027 rates are published when open enrollment starts. UnitedHealthcare leaves 8 of its 2026 counties, and Molina's 2027 Marketplace status is unconfirmed. SC has not posted approved rates, so changes shown are proposals.
InsurerCounties (2026)Plans (2026)Plan typesFrom (age 40)CMS rating (2026)2027 change
BlueCross BlueShield of SCCounties (2026)46 of 46Plans (2026)74Plan typesEPO, HMO, POS, PPOFrom (age 40)$336CMS rating (2026)4 of 52027 change+14.8% proposed
UnitedHealthcareCounties (2026)17 of 46Plans (2026)17Plan typesHMOFrom (age 40)$411CMS rating (2026)Not yet rated2027 change+45.5% proposed
MolinaCounties (2026)37 of 46Plans (2026)12Plan typesHMOFrom (age 40)$494CMS rating (2026)2 of 52027 changeUnconfirmed for 2027
AmbetterCounties (2026)46 of 46Plans (2026)9Plan typesHMOFrom (age 40)$357CMS rating (2026)3 of 52027 change+22.1% proposed
First Choice NextCounties (2026)20 of 46Plans (2026)8Plan typesHMOFrom (age 40)$435CMS rating (2026)Not yet rated2027 change+10.7% proposed
InStil HealthCounties (2026)5 of 46Plans (2026)5Plan typesHMOFrom (age 40)$529CMS rating (2026)–2027 change–

What would you pay after tax credits?

Answer a few questions about your household and your care. See plans for your county, check your doctors and prescriptions, and get a recommendation.

Find my South Carolina plan

What do people ask about South Carolina Marketplace plans?

  1. Enroll by December 15 for coverage that starts January 1; the last day to sign up is January 15. Outside open enrollment you need a qualifying life event, such as losing other coverage, moving, marrying or having a baby.

  2. Not necessarily. The prices on this page are before tax credits. Tax credits depend on your household size and income, and they can lower the monthly premium a lot. The plan finder estimates your price after tax credits.

  3. 109 of South Carolina's 125 plans for 2026 are HMOs or EPOs, which only pay for in-network care except emergencies. Check that your doctors and hospital are in the plan's network before you enroll.

  4. Compare before you let it renew. South Carolina insurers filed 2027 increases of about 11% to 46% before tax credits, and your plan or its network may change. Your new tax credit can change too.

  5. South Carolina hasn't expanded Medicaid. Parents qualify only up to about 67% of the poverty level, and most adults without children don't qualify at any income. Check eligibility at scdhhs.gov or apply through HealthCare.gov.

  6. On HealthCare.gov, through an approved insurer or broker website, or with a licensed agent. The plans and prices are the same everywhere you enroll.

  7. Yes. In 2026 every county had at least two. Oconee and Orangeburg had only BlueCross BlueShield and Ambetter, while seven counties had five insurers. Check HealthCare.gov in November for 2027 choices.

  8. Regional HMOs such as Blue Cooper, Blue Reedy and Blue Pee Dee cover urgent and emergency care outside their network. BlueExtend (PPO) and BlueEssentials (EPO) are sold in every county.

  9. We can't confirm it. Molina's 2027 federal rate filing lists no Marketplace plans, and no exit notice is public yet. Check HealthCare.gov on November 1 and watch your mail for a notice.

Where these numbers come from

  • 2026 plans, premiums, deductibles, copays and out-of-pocket maximums: CMS QHP Landscape and Benefits and Cost Sharing Public Use Files, plan year 2026. Checked October 4, 2026.
  • Proposed 2027 changes: each insurer's rate filing (ratereview.healthcare.gov or the state insurance department).

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

Thrive Benefits Group is not HealthCare.gov or a government agency. Premiums shown are before tax credits, for one person age 40, and most people who qualify for tax credits pay less. Your price depends on your county, age, household and income. Plan details can change; the insurer's plan documents are final.