BestHealth InsuranceIn CharlestonCheapest (and Best) Health Insurance in Charleston, SC (2023)
Compare Rates
Ensure you're getting the best rate. Review quotes from a top insurance company.
Location is one of the main factors that impact health insurance costs, along with age, plan type, health care needs and the number of people on your plan.
MoneyGeek analyzed Marketplace data to identify the cheapest health insurance plans in Charleston, South Carolina. We also found the best providers for different profiles based on premium cost, maximum out-of-pocket (MOOP) costs, plan options and claims denial rates.
Not all companies offer every plan type, so always shop around to find a plan that suits your needs. If only one insurer offers plans in your area, compare the available options to find the best plan or tier for you.
BestHealth InsuranceIn CharlestonBest Health Insurance in Charleston (2023)
Best Overall Health Insurance in Charleston
Based on MoneyGeek’s analysis of cost, plans and customer service, the best health insurance company in Charleston is Ambetter, offering a Silver plan at an average of $453 per month with a MOOP of $4,346. Cigna Healthcare of South Carolina is the second-best provider at $506 per month and an average MOOP of $5,082.
When choosing the best health insurance, consider cost-sharing options and customer service in addition to the premium price.
Ambetter
pros
Lowest average MOOP in the comparison group
Most affordable rates in the comparison group
cons
Higher than average claims denial rate
Limited plan types
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
Ambetter is the best health insurance company in Charleston. Ambetter’s rates for a Silver plan are the city’s cheapest on average at $453 per month and have the lowest average MOOP costs at $4,346. Although Ambetter rates high for affordability, it is worth noting that it has a higher-than-average claims denial rate, so it is more likely than the other providers we analyzed to deny a claim.
Policyholders can access membership perks, including discounted rates at select partner gyms and digital fitness programs, mental wellness services and more. If you suffer from a chronic illness, Ambetter has health management programs that offer support, including educational tools, round-the-clock telephone support and mental wellness services.
Ambetter also offers care management services to those who need extra support to manage their condition.
Cigna Healthcare of South Carolina
pros
Lowest claims denial rate in the comparison group
Relatively affordable
cons
High MOOP costs
Limited plan options
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
Cigna Healthcare of South Carolina is the second-best company for health insurance in Charleston. Cigna Silver plans cost an average of $506 per month with an average MOOP of $5,082.
Cigna Healthcare has the lowest claims denial rate among the insurers analyzed, meaning it is the least likely to deny a claim. However, average MOOP costs can be high.
Cigna plans feature no-cost in-network preventive care, although some services like immunizations for travel may be excluded. It also offers plans with no deductible or copay. All plans provide access to round-the-clock virtual care and guided customer service.
The insurer offers rewards and discounts that policyholders can use to reduce health care costs. These rewards are typically in the form of reward points for watching informative videos, reading helpful information or other simple activities.
Best Cheap Health Insurance in Charleston
Ambetter offers the best cheap health insurance in Charleston at $453 per month for a Silver plan and an average MOOP of $4,386.
Health insurance premiums are determined by how you and your insurer split the costs of care. Location also impacts rates, so prices differ by city and state.
The best company may not necessarily be the most affordable, but if you are looking for cheap health insurance, you should familiarize yourself with the metal tier system and how premiums and MOOPs relate to each other. It’s also wise to consider how deductibles, copays and co-insurance impact the cost of health insurance.
Ambetter
pros
Lowest average MOOP in the comparison group
Most affordable rates in the comparison group
cons
Higher than average claims denial rate
Limited plan options
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
Ambetter is the best cheap health insurance company in Charleston, with an average premium of $453 per month for Silver plans and an average MOOP of $4,386. This analysis is based on average rates, so actual plan costs may vary based on individual factors like your age.
Ambetter has the highest claims denial rate among the insurers analyzed, so it is more likely than other providers to deny a claim. However, it does offer policyholders a range of membership perks and benefits. These include discounts for membership at select gyms, healthy eating services and more.
Ambetter policyholders get access to care management services and programs to help those with chronic conditions. A 24/7 nurse helpline offers support to those who need advice or answers to various health care questions.
Cheapest Provider by Metal Tier
Molina offers the cheapest Silver plan in Charleston at $450 per month. For this section, we conducted our analysis at the provider level, and costs are based on average rates across plans. The cheapest policies are not necessarily the best, but if you value affordability, Silver plans are mid-tier and offer premium reduction options.
The metal tier system consists of levels ranging from Bronze through Platinum, the cheapest being Bronze. For those who qualify, Catastrophic plans are cheaper than Bronze but only cover emergency services. Low premiums plans have high MOOP costs and may be sufficient for emergencies but not routine health care.
You can look up the cheapest providers in Charleston by metal tier and average plan costs in the table below.
WHICH METAL TIER IS RIGHT FOR ME?
The best plan type for you may vary depending on your health care needs.
- Catastrophic: Best for those who don't need frequent care and only want coverage for emergencies.
- Bronze: Best for healthy people who do not require frequent care.
- Silver: Mid-tier plans offer a balance of cost and coverage and are ideal for those with moderate income.
- Gold: Best for those who need frequent care.
- Platinum: Plans with high premiums but low out-of-pocket costs are ideal for those with frequent or extensive care needs.
Cheapest by Metal Tier
The Ambetter Virtual Access Silver from Ambetter is the cheapest Silver plan in Charleston, with an average monthly premium of $437. For this section, we conducted our analysis at a plan level rather than a provider level.
The table below shows the cheapest health insurance companies in Charleston by metal with their average plan costs. Catastrophic plans are not included since they are only available to those under 30.
Compare Insurance Rates
Ensure you are getting the best rate for your insurance. Compare quotes from the top insurance companies.
How Age Affects Health Insurance in Charleston
Age plays a key role in health insurance costs, regardless of location. Costs increase with age since older people tend to have more health care needs.
Bronze or Expanded Bronze plans are almost always the cheapest. Catastrophic plans are the most affordable but have age requirements.
When choosing a low-tier plan, ensuring that you are comfortable with the provider’s network will save you from incurring high out-of-pocket costs for out-of-network services.
Cheapest Health Insurance in Charleston by Age
Your age and the metal tier of the plan you choose determine the bulk of your health insurance costs. The older you are, the more you will pay for health insurance. You will also pay more for high-tier plans like Gold and Platinum.
You can use the table below to compare average costs by metal tier and age.
MEDICAID AND MEDICARE
Government-funded health programs like Medicare and Medicaid are some of the cheapest health insurance plans, but you must meet the eligibility requirements. Only seniors over 65 qualify for Medicare plans, while Medicaid is only available to low-income individuals.
If you qualify for Medicare, you may be eligible for Medicare Advantage or Medicare supplement plans. However there are specific requirements to qualify for Medicare Advantage.
How to Find the Best Cheap Health Insurance in Charleston
To find the cheapest health insurance in Charleston, you will need to consider your health care needs, providers’ rates, MOOP costs and coverage options. The following steps will guide you in finding a cheap plan that suits your needs.
1
Know Where to Look
You can enroll in a Health Insurance Marketplace plan during open enrollment, November 1 to January 15 each year. Special enrollment may also be available if you meet certain criteria.
Health insurance for 18-year-olds can be obtained through a parent’s policy, while health insurance for 26-year-olds or older can come from an employer, private insurers or government programs.
2
Budget Based on Your Health Care Needs
Plans with low premiums typically offer less coverage than high-cost plans. If you choose such a plan and have a health crisis, you will incur high deductibles and out-of-pocket costs. High-cost plans offer better coverage, more network flexibility and lower MOOP costs but charge higher monthly premiums.
3
Check for Premium Tax Credits
A premium tax credit lowers the price of health insurance by reducing the premium each month. If your income is at least 100% of the federal poverty level (FPL) and you are not eligible for public health insurance like Medicare or Medicaid, then you qualify for this credit.
4
Check Government Program Eligibility
Medicaid offers the best health insurance for unemployed people and those with limited income, while Medicare is available to those who are over 65 or have qualifying disabilities. These government programs are very affordable, but they have strict requirements for eligibility.
5
Choose Your Plan
Once you have evaluated all the options available, you can choose the plan that best meets your needs with the most affordable rates.
Health Insurance Subsidies and Income-Based Assistance
Financial assistance or health insurance subsidies are available to people who fall within specific low-income brackets.
Subsidies were initially offered to those whose income ranges between 100% and 400% of the FPL, but the American Rescue Plan Act and the Inflation Reduction Act extended health insurance subsidies to include those with income over 400% of the FPL until 2025.
If you are not eligible for subsidies, you may qualify for Medicaid and CHIP. Your income should fall between 100% and 150% of the FPL to qualify for Medicaid, depending on the state. Keep in mind that Medicaid and Medicare have different eligibility requirements.
SHORT-TERM HEALTH INSURANCE
If you missed open enrollment or are waiting for a new job to start, you can shop for the best short-term health insurance to bridge gaps in coverage. However, note that short-term plans differ from Marketplace plans as follows:
- They don’t offer all essential benefits and can deny coverage if you have a pre-existing condition.
- They may offer low monthly costs but have high copays/co-insurance.
- Subsidies and tax credits are not available with these plans.
Frequently Asked Questions About Health Insurance in Charleston
You answered the following frequently asked questions to help you find cheap medical insurance in Charleston.
About Brenna Kelly, Licensed Health Insurance Agent
sources
- Ambetter. "Our Benefits." Accessed April 7, 2023.
- Cigna. "Cigna Individual and Family Plan Benefits." Accessed April 7, 2023.