Best Cheap Health Insurance in South Carolina (2026)
BlueCross BlueShield (BCBS) has the best cheap health insurance in South Carolina. Silver plans from BCBS cost as little as $497 per month before discounts.
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Best and cheapest health insurance in South Carolina
Cheapest health insurance companies in South Carolina
Molina, BlueCross BlueShield and InStil Health have the cheapest health insurance plans in SC, with Silver rates starting at $494 per month before discounts.
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Affordable health insurance in South Carolina
Company |
Cost
| |
|---|---|---|
| Molina | $494-$768 |
| BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina | $497-$878 |
| InStil Health | $529-$666 |
| First Choice Next | $564-$667 |
- Molina has the cheapest rates for just over a quarter of South Carolina residents, with Silver plans starting at $494 per month. The company has the most affordable Silver health plans in Charleston and its immediate suburbs.
- BlueCross BlueShield (BCBS) has the cheapest plans for half the population of South Carolina. The company has the most affordable coverage in several large cities including Columbia, Greenville and Summerville.
Best health insurance companies in South Carolina
BlueCross BlueShield has the best health insurance in South Carolina for most people.
BlueCross BlueShield has a high 4-out-of-5-star rating from HealthCare.gov. This star rating measures plan quality, customer satisfaction and plan management. In addition, BCBS of South Carolina gets 40% fewer complaints than an average company its size.
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Best-rated health insurance companies in South Carolina
Company |
ACA rating
|
VP rating
|
|---|---|---|
| BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina | ||
| Molina | ||
| UnitedHealthcare | N/A | |
| First Choice Next | N/A | |
| InStil Health | N/A |
BlueCross BlueShield (BCBS) of South Carolina is also the only company to offer non-HMO plans on the health insurance marketplace. With BCBS, you can buy a PPO (preferred provider organization) plan. These plans let you get care outside your network for a higher cost, and you don't need to choose a primary care doctor or get a referral before you visit a specialist. However, PPOs typically have higher monthly rates than other plan types.
BCBS also sells EPO (exclusive provider organization) and POS (point of service) plans.
- EPO plans make you use a strict network of doctors for regular care but lets you see in-network specialists without a referral.
- POS plans let you get regular care from both in- and out-of-network doctors, but you need a referral for a specialist.
Best health insurance in South Carolina for low deductibles: First Choice Next
First Choice Next has the lowest average deductibles of any company in South Carolina. You'll pay $4,167, on average, before coverage starts for a Silver plan.
Consider getting a plan with a low deductible if you want to avoid large, out-of-pocket costs in the event you get seriously sick or injured.
UnitedHealthcare also has low deductibles, with an average Silver plan deductible of $4,333. If you go to the doctor often, UnitedHealthcare might be a better option, because of its larger network.
What's the cost of health insurance in South Carolina?
Health insurance in South Carolina costs an average of $657 per month at full cost or could be about $150 per month, on average, for those who qualify for discounts based on your income.
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- The plan tier you choose and your age are the two biggest factors influencing your health insurance costs if you live in South Carolina.
- Plan tiers with higher monthly rates let you pay less when you visit the doctor. Higher plan tiers make sense if you have an ongoing health condition because you'll save money when you use your insurance. However, lower plan tiers are usually a better choice for individuals with fewer health concerns.
For example, an average Gold plan in South Carolina costs $29 per month more than a Silver plan, but an average Gold plan has a deductible that's thousands of dollars less than what you'd pay for a Silver plan.
Gold vs. Silver plan total cost for one year with $5,000 in medical bills
Silver | Gold | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual rate | $7,884 | $8,232 |
| Deductible | $6,131 | $2,058 |
| 20% Coinsurance | N/A | $588 |
| Final cost to you | $14,015 | $10,878 |
Assuming you have $5,000 of medical costs in a single year. Rates are for an average 40-year-old in South Carolina.
In addition, you could pay about $1,300 less each year toward your medical bills with a Gold plan vs. a Silver plan. That's because Gold plans have a lower out-of-pocket maximum than Silver plans, and that's the total you'll possibly have to pay in a year toward your covered medical care.
Health insurance gets more expensive as you get older. These rate increases are typically lower in your 20s and 30s, but they grow much higher as you move into middle age. On average, a 60-year-old in South Carolina pays more than twice as much as a 40-year-old for the same level of coverage.
Health insurance discount changes in South Carolina for 2026
South Carolina residents who qualify for health insurance discounts because of their income might pay about $150 per month for coverage on average.
But subsidies won't save you as much in 2026 as they did in 2025. Rates for people who get discounts are potentially going from about $68 per month to about $150 per month. That's more than twice as much.
The bigger discounts that shoppers have enjoyed for the last five years(known as "enhanced subsidies") are being rolled back at the end of 2025. Unless Congress makes changes, the discounts will revert back to their pre-2021 levels. Unfortunately, these discounts weren't as big.
Health insurance rates in South Carolina after subsidies (2025 vs. 2026)
Income | 2025 rate | 2026 rate | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| $30,000 | $49 | $155 | 216% |
| $40,000 | $154 | $287 | 86% |
| $50,000 | $283 | $415 | 47% |
| $60,000 | $423 | $498 | 18% |
| $70,000+ | $471 | $564 | 20% |
Average cost after subsidies for a single 40-year-old with a Benchmark Silver plan.
You're currently eligible for discounts if you earn between $15,650 and $62,600 per year as a single person or around $32,150 and $128,600 for a family of four. Subsidies can be used with Bronze, Silver and Gold health plans bought through HealthCare.gov. You can use ValuePenguin's subsidy calculator to get an estimate of how much you might pay for health insurance after subsidies.
Eligibility may change as Congress decides how to handle subsidies going forward.
If you don't make enough to get subsidies, you may be in what's called the Medicaid "coverage gap." This exists because South Carolina hasn’t expanded Medicaid coverage to everyone who earns a low income. The coverage gap means you make too much to get Medicaid, but not enough to get government subsidies on a health insurance plan.
There are about 65,000 adults in South Carolina who are in the coverage gap, meaning they don't have access to Medicaid or health insurance discounts.
Cheap South Carolina health insurance plans by city
Molina has the cheapest Silver health plans in Charleston, at $506 per month on average for a Silver plan.
But although Molina has the cheapest rates in SC's biggest city, BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina is cheapest for about half the population. If you live in Columbia, Greenville or even Summerville, BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina has the cheapest rates.
Cheapest health insurance plans by SC county
County | Cheapest plan | Monthly rates |
|---|---|---|
| Abbeville | Molina Silver Saver | $494 |
| Aiken | Molina Silver Saver | $531 |
| Allendale | Molina Silver Saver | $553 |
| Anderson | First Choice Next Silver Signature | $662 |
| Bamberg | Molina Silver Saver | $539 |
Cheapest Silver plan with rates for a 40-year-old
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Best health insurance by level of coverage
The best health insurance for you will depend on the level of medical care you think you'll need in the coming year. It's also important to look at what discounts you'll qualify for because of your income and what plan types are available where you live.
Gold plans: Best if you visit the doctor frequently
| Gold plans pay for about 80% of your medical care. |
Gold plans in South Carolina cost $686 per month and have a $2,058 yearly deductible, on average.
Consider a Gold plan if you have an ongoing illness or a medical problem that requires expensive treatment. Gold plans have high monthly rates, but you’ll pay very little when you go to the doctor.
Silver plans: Best for average medical needs
| Silver plans pay for about 70% of your medical care. |
On average, Silver plans in South Carolina cost $657 per month and have a $6,131 deductible, on average.
Silver health plans have average monthly rates and middle-of-the-road costs when you go to the hospital or get a prescription filled. That makes Silver plans a good choice for most people.
In addition, you may qualify for extra discounts with a Silver plan if you earn a low income, called cost-sharing reductions.
Bronze plans: Best if you're young and generally healthy
| Bronze plans pay for about 60% of your medical care. |
In South Carolina, Bronze plans cost $488 per month and have a $7,238 health insurance deductible, on average.
Bronze plans may be a good choice if you have fewer health concerns and don't expect that you'll need much medical care in the coming year. These plans have cheap monthly rates, but expensive costs when you visit the doctor. You should only buy a Bronze plan if you have enough money in your savings account to cover your share of the medical bill if you get into an accident or fall sick.
Free and affordable health coverage in South Carolina for people who earn low incomes
South Carolina residents who earn a low income may qualify for free or reduced-price health insurance.
Silver plans with cost-sharing reductions: Best if you earn a low income but can't get Medicaid
| Silver plans will pay 73% to 94% of your medical costs if you have a low income. |
Silver health plans are eligible for extra discounts called cost-sharing reductions, which help pay for the costs you're responsible for when you visit the doctor. This includes your deductible, copays and coinsurance.
Bronze and Gold plans aren't eligible for cost-sharing reductions.
To qualify for cost-sharing reductions, you need to earn between $15,650 and $39,125 per year as an individual or between $32,150 and $80,375 per year for a family of four.
Medicaid: Free health insurance for qualifying South Carolinians
You may qualify for free government health insurance, called Medicaid, if you earn a low income and you are:
- Blind
- Disabled
- Pregnant
- 18 or younger
- Over the age of 65
- A parent or caretaker to a child 18 or younger
- Diagnosed with breast or cervical cancer
The amount you need to earn to qualify for Medicaid in South Carolina will depend on your individual circumstances. For example, pregnant women can earn up to about $30,000. However, seniors and people with disabilities have an income limit of $15,650.
Medicaid coverage rules differ by state. South Carolina is one of a handful of states that hasn't adopted expanded Medicaid — that means it has tighter eligibility requirements than most places in the U.S.
Are health insurance rates going up in SC in 2026?
Health insurance rates went up by an average of 21% in South Carolina between 2025 and 2026.
Silver plans had the biggest increase, going up 22% between 2025 and 2026. Over the last five years, Silver plans have gotten 51% more expensive.
Gold plans went up 20% year over year. Bronze plans had the lowest increase but still went up significantly, at 19% more expensive in 2026 compared to 2025.
Bronze
Silver
Gold
Year | Cost | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $291 | – |
| 2023 | $367 | 26% |
| 2024 | $414 | 13% |
| 2025 | $409 | -1% |
| 2026 | $488 | 19% |
Monthly costs are for a 40-year-old. Expanded Bronze plans are included in 2024, 2025 and 2026 averages, when they're offered.
Bronze
Year | Cost | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $291 | – |
| 2023 | $367 | 26% |
| 2024 | $414 | 13% |
| 2025 | $409 | -1% |
| 2026 | $488 | 19% |
Monthly costs are for a 40-year-old. Expanded Bronze plans are included in 2024, 2025 and 2026 averages, when they're offered.
Silver
Year | Cost | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $436 | – |
| 2023 | $469 | 8% |
| 2024 | $541 | 15% |
| 2025 | $538 | -1% |
| 2026 | $657 | 22% |
Monthly costs are for a 40-year-old.
Gold
Year | Cost | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $464 | – |
| 2023 | $503 | 8% |
| 2024 | $568 | 13% |
| 2025 | $569 | 0% |
| 2026 | $686 | 20% |
Monthly costs are for a 40-year-old.
Why is health insurance expensive in South Carolina in 2026?
Health care costs are continuing to rise, which is pushing up health insurance rates for 2026.
When medical care gets more expensive, insurance companies end up paying more every time one of their customers sees a doctor or fills a prescription. To cover those higher costs, they raise rates for everyone. The widespread use of GLP-1 medications like Ozempic and Wegovy, is also increasing rates.
Another reason for higher rates in 2026 is potentially major changes to marketplace discounts. Since 2021, people with lower incomes have gotten bigger discounts. Those extra savings could be rolled back at the end of the year, if they aren't extended by Congress. That means you'll pay a higher rate, even if you get discounts.
How to prepare for the 2026 rate increases
- Get quotes and shop around. Every insurance company charges different rates. If the cost of your plan goes up, get quotes from other companies and see if there's a cheaper option that still fits your needs.
- Consider a lower-tier plan. A lower-tier plan like Bronze comes with a cheaper monthly rate — but remember, you’ll have to pay for more of your medical care. If you get a Bronze plan, consider opening an HSA to help you save for medical costs.
- Check if you get discounts. If you've recently had an income change, check to see if you can get discounts. Subsidies might be smaller next year, but they could still help lower your rate if you have a low income.
- See if you can get Medicaid. It's not easy to get Medicaid in South Carolina. But if you have a low income and are blind, disabled, pregnant or meet any of the other requirements, Medicaid can give you free or cheap medical care.
All marketplace health insurance plans in South Carolina have to cover what are called 10 essential benefits.
- Outpatient care
- Emergency care
- Hospital care
- Pregnancy, birth and newborn care
- Mental health and substance use disorder services
- Prescription drugs
- Laboratory services
- Coverage for babies and children
- Rehabilitation services and devices
- Preventive, wellness and ongoing disease services
Bronze, Silver and Gold plans all have to cover these services. However, short-term health insurance plans don't have these coverage requirements.
Cost of South Carolina health insurance by family size
You'll pay $394 per child that you add to your health plan on average in South Carolina.
That means a single parent with one child pays $1,051 per month before discounts for Silver health coverage. A family of four, with two children under the age of 15, pays $2,102 per month before discounts on average.
Family size | Average monthly cost |
|---|---|
| Individual | $657 |
| Individual and child | $1,051 |
| Couple | $1,315 |
| Family of three | $1,708 |
| Family of four | $2,102 |
Averages based on a Silver plan for 40-year-old adults and children who are under age 15.
Short-term health insurance in South Carolina
In January 2025, the Trump administration canceled a rule that would have restricted short-term health plans to three months. No timeline is available for when this change will happen. However, short-term health coverage that lasts for up to 11 months may be sold in South Carolina sometime soon.
Short-term health plans let you get coverage if you miss open enrollment and you're ineligible for what's called a special enrollment period.
These plans tend to cost less than regular medical insurance. However, they typically offer less coverage and have more restrictions compared to a marketplace health plan.
Pros of short-term health insurance in SC
Cons of short-term health insurance in SC
Health insurance enrollment by income level in South Carolina
More than half of people with ACA plans in SC make less than $22,590 per year.
This population is going to be disproportionately affected by rate changes and lower discounts because of their already-tight budgets. People who make more each year are better able to handle changes to their rate.
Enrollment by income
Income | % of total enrollment |
|---|---|
| Less than $15,060 | 1% |
| $15,060 to $20,783 | 41% |
| $20,784 to $22,590 | 13% |
| $22,591 to $30,120 | 16% |
| $30,121 to $37,650 | 10% |
Enrollment in 2025 marketplace plans made during the 2024-2025 Open Enrollment period. Total may not be 100% due to rounding
Frequently asked questions
Who has the best health insurance in South Carolina?
BlueCross BlueShield (BCBS) of South Carolina has the best cheap health insurance in South Carolina. BlueCross BlueShield plans have a strong 4-out-of-5-star rating from HealthCare.gov, and the insurer gets far fewer complaints than an average company its size according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). That means the company's customer service is generally good.
How much is health insurance per month in South Carolina?
Health insurance in South Carolina costs $657 per month for an average Silver plan before discounts. However, you might pay less if you have a low income and qualify for discounts.
What is the most popular health insurance in South Carolina?
BlueCross BlueShield has the most popular health insurance in South Carolina. The company sells more than half of the individual health plans in the state.
How do I get health insurance in South Carolina?
Most people in South Carolina get medical insurance through their jobs. People with low incomes can sometimes get Medicaid if they meet other requirements, and people age 65 and older can get Medicare. If you can't get coverage in these ways, you can get quotes and buy a plan on HealthCare.gov. You can also buy a plan directly from an insurance company or with an agent, but you won't be able to get discounts.
Can I get health insurance for $100 a month?
You might be able to get health insurance for $100 if you have a low income and can get health insurance discounts called subsidies. Otherwise, a Silver health insurance plan generally costs $657 per month for a 40-year-old or $514 per month for a 21-year-old.
Does South Carolina have health insurance subsidies?
Yes, South Carolina has federal health insurance subsidies for people with low incomes. However, laws around subsidies could change rapidly as Congress finalizes the plans for these discounts in 2026. It’s likely that subsidies won't save you as much as they did in 2025.
Methodology
South Carolina health insurance rate data for 2026 is from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) website. ValuePenguin used the CMS public use files to find average rates for different plan tiers, geographic locations and family sizes.
Rates
Rates are based on a 40-year-old with a Silver plan, unless otherwise noted. Rates for Bronze plans include regular and Expanded Bronze plans for 2024, 2025 and 2026, when the plans are available. Your costs and plan options will vary; plans aren't always available in all parts of a state or county.
Subsidies
Rates after subsidies are estimates for a 40-year-old with a Benchmark Silver plan and are based on how subsidies were structured before 2021. Prices are calculated using KFF's rates for full-price Benchmark plans, federal poverty levels (FPLs), IRS rules about premium tax credits and Congressional reports about expanded tax credits.
The total cost in the state uses rates calculated by income, which are weighted using CMS data on the incomes of those who purchased plans during last year's open enrollment. The median was used for each income range. Unknown incomes were excluded from the calculations.
Incomes of 100% of the federal poverty line and 500% of the federal poverty line were assumed for enrollees who earn less than 100% FPL and more than 500% FPL, respectively. Information about state subsidies, when available, was sourced from state marketplaces.
Ratings
ValuePenguin's experts rank companies based on cost, coverage options, customer satisfaction and unique value. Ratings are out of 100 possible points. ACA ratings show how the company performs in South Carolina for medical care, member experience and plan administration. This 2026 plan quality data from CMS is based on data from last year. Ratings are not available for new plans or plans with low enrollment.
More sources
Enrollment trends, including plan selections by tier and enrollment by income, are from CMS data for the 2025 open enrollment period.
Info on the causes for rate increases is from the Peterson-KFF Health System Tracker. Other sources include S&P Global Capital IQ, NAIC (National Association of Insurance Commissioners) and the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services.
Insurance Writer
Cate Deventer is a ValuePenguin writer who specializes in health insurance, Medicare, auto and home insurance. She's been a licensed insurance agent since 2011.
She started her insurance career working as a customer service agent for State Farm. She later moved to an independent agency, where she worked with several insurance companies and hundreds of clients. She quoted policies, filed claims and answered insurance questions. In 2021, she pivoted her career and began writing about insurance for Bankrate. She moved to ValuePenguin in 2023 and began writing about health insurance and Medicare.
Cate has a passion for helping readers choose insurance to fit their needs. She enjoys knowing that her research and knowledge help people choose insurance products that make a positive difference in their lives.
How insurance helped Cate
Cate used her health insurance knowledge to navigate a surgery in 2023. Understanding how her policy worked let her focus on recovery instead of worrying about bills.
Expertise
- Health insurance
- Medicare & Medicaid
- Auto insurance
- Home insurance
- Life insurance
Credentials
- Licensed Life, Accident & Health Insurance Agent
- Licensed Property & Casualty Insurance Agent
Referenced by
- CBS
- NBC
- Wall Street Journal
Education
- BA, Theatre, Purdue University
- BA, English, Indiana University
Editorial note: The content of this article is based on the author's opinions and recommendations alone. It has not been previewed, commissioned or otherwise endorsed by any of our network partners.
