South Carolina · Insurer
First Choice Next Marketplace Plans in South Carolina
First Choice Next sells Bronze, Silver and Gold HMO plans in 20 counties, mostly the Upstate, Charleston area and Grand Strand. It is part of the AmeriHealth Caritas family.
- Proposed changes are as filed. Final 2027 rates are published when open enrollment starts.
Compare plans for my ZIP codeFree. See your price after tax credits.
What makes First Choice Next different from other South Carolina insurers?
Plans are sold in Greenville, Spartanburg, Anderson, Charleston, Horry and Richland, plus 14 other counties. Lexington County is not included.
AmeriHealth Caritas added Cherokee, Spartanburg and Union to its 17 existing counties for 2026.
First Choice Next lists a proposed 2027 increase of 10.7%, after a 25.2% increase approved for 2026. Its filing is redacted.
The carrier also sells Marketplace plans in North Carolina and Florida under the AmeriHealth Caritas Next name. Plan features in those states may not match.
Is First Choice Next a good Marketplace option in South Carolina?
First Choice Next is a good fit if you live in the Upstate, Charleston area or Grand Strand and want another HMO choice. CMS has not scored its plans yet.
Who should consider First Choice Next?
- You live in the Upstate, Charleston area or Grand Strand and want another HMO choice
- You want the lowest proposed increase among the filers
- You want a Bronze, Silver or Gold plan from a carrier with a Medicaid background
Who should look elsewhere?
- CMS has not scored its plans yet.
- The 10.7% proposal is confirmed in the federal rate filing, though its details are redacted.
- As an HMO, it generally covers only emergencies outside its network.
Which First Choice Next plans should you look at first?
2027 plan-by-plan prices and copays appear here once HealthCare.gov publishes them on November 1.
See my price after tax creditsCompare every insurer in your county and check your doctors.
How much do First Choice Next plans cost in South Carolina?
First Choice Next sold 8 plans in South Carolina for 2026, starting at $435 a month at age 40 before tax credits. Its average proposed change for 2027 is +10.7%.
Which First Choice Next plans were sold in South Carolina in 2026?
| Plan | Metal | Type | Premium (age 40) | Deductible | OOP max | Primary care | Specialist | Generic Rx | HSA | Counties | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First Choice Next Bronze Essential | MetalBronze | TypeHMO | Premium (age 40)$435 | Deductible$10,600 | OOP max$10,600 | Primary care$25 | Specialist$0 after deductible | Generic Rx$25 | HSANo | Counties20 | Compare |
| First Choice Next Bronze Signature | MetalBronze | TypeHMO | Premium (age 40)$468 | Deductible$7,500 | OOP max$10,000 | Primary care$50 | Specialist$100 | Generic Rx$25 | HSANo | Counties20 | Compare |
| First Choice Next Bronze Premier | MetalBronze | TypeHMO | Premium (age 40)$472 | Deductible$3,850 | OOP max$10,600 | Primary care$40 | Specialist$100 | Generic Rx$25 | HSANo | Counties20 | Compare |
| First Choice Next Silver Signature | MetalSilver | TypeHMO | Premium (age 40)$564 | Deductible$6,000 | OOP max$8,900 | Primary care$40 | Specialist$80 | Generic Rx$20 | HSANo | Counties20 | Compare |
| First Choice Next Silver Essential | MetalSilver | TypeHMO | Premium (age 40)$566 | Deductible$6,100 | OOP max$9,000 | Primary care$25 | Specialist$70 | Generic Rx$25 | HSANo | Counties20 | Compare |
| First Choice Next Silver Premier | MetalSilver | TypeHMO | Premium (age 40)$568 | Deductible$400 | OOP max$10,200 | Primary care$50 | Specialist$110 | Generic Rx$25 | HSANo | Counties20 | Compare |
| First Choice Next Gold Signature | MetalGold | TypeHMO | Premium (age 40)$636 | Deductible$2,000 | OOP max$8,200 | Primary care$30 | Specialist$60 | Generic Rx$15 | HSANo | Counties20 | Compare |
| First Choice Next Gold Premier | MetalGold | TypeHMO | Premium (age 40)$653 | Deductible$850 | OOP max$8,500 | Primary care$15 | Specialist$35 | Generic Rx$15 | HSANo | Counties20 | Compare |
Which other insurers sell Marketplace plans in South Carolina?
Sources
- CMS Rate Review, South Carolina 2027 individual filings, June 2026
- AmeriHealth Caritas, new states and counties for 2026, November 4, 2025
- healthinsurance.org, South Carolina health insurance marketplace, August 24, 2026
- Novant Health, 2027 marketplace plan options, accessed October 8, 2026
- CMS Marketplace Quality Rating System, PY2026, October 2025
- CMS QHP Landscape PY2026 (county counts, our tally), October 2025
- CMS State-based Exchange Public Use Files, plan year 2026, checked October 4, 2026
← South Carolina Marketplace guide and all insurers
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.