Ambetter is the best health insurance company in South Carolina. First Choice Next, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Molina Healthcare and Instil Health are among the top providers statewide.
Best Health Insurance in South Carolina (2026)
Updated: December 23, 2025
Advertising & Editorial Disclosure
Key Takeaways
Ambetter and First Choice Next tie as the top health insurance providers in South Carolina, offering the best monthly premiums, deductibles and out-of-pocket costs.
Blue Cross Blue Shield provides the cheapest health insurance in South Carolina, though its deductibles are high compared to other options.
Shop smart by comparing quotes from multiple South Carolina insurers, checking coverage details and deductibles and verifying your preferred doctors participate in the plan's network.
Best Health Insurance Companies in South Carolina
| Ambetter | $590 | $5,545 | $3,212 | 4.6 | Focused Silver |
| First Choice Next | $628 | $5,888 | $2,190 | 4.6 | First Choice Next Silver Premier |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $576 | $5,578 | $4,064 | 4.5 | Blue Pee Dee Silver 2 |
| Molina Healthcare | $584 | $5,800 | $3,368 | 4.4 | Molina Silver Standard |
| Instil Health | $587 | $6,341 | $3,121 | 4.2 | Inhealth Basic Standard |
| UnitedHealthcare | $766 | $6,048 | $2,529 | 4.0 | Uhc Silver Standard- |
*Our picks are the best health insurance options for 40-year-olds looking for Silver-tier HMO plans.
Ambetter
MoneyGeek Rating
4.6/ 5
4.9/5Affordability
3.3/5Deductible
5/5MOOP
Average Monthly Rate
$590Average MOOP
$5,545Average Deductible
$3,212
First Choice Next
MoneyGeek Rating
4.6/ 5
4.7/5Affordability
5/5Deductible
3.7/5MOOP
Average Monthly Rate
$628Average MOOP
$5,888Average Deductible
$2,190
Blue Cross Blue Shield
MoneyGeek Rating
4.5/ 5
5/5Affordability
2.5/5Deductible
4.9/5MOOP
Average Monthly Rate
$576Average MOOP
$5,578Average Deductible
$4,064
Best Health Insurance in South Carolina by Category
Health insurance rates in South Carolina change based on your age, plan type and coverage level. Silver-tier premiums range from $421 to $1,577 monthly across different demographics and providers.
By Age:
- Teens (18): Blue Cross Blue Shield EPO plans cost $472 monthly, Ambetter HMO plans cost $421, and Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO plans cost $531.
- Young adults (26): Blue Cross Blue Shield EPO plans cost $529 monthly, Ambetter HMO plans cost $472, while Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO plans cost $595.
- Adults (40): Blue Cross Blue Shield EPO plans cost $660 monthly, Ambetter HMO plans cost $590, and Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO plans cost $743.
- Seniors (60): Blue Cross Blue Shield EPO plans cost $1,402 monthly, Ambetter HMO plans cost $1,252, and Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO plans cost $1,577.
By Plan Type:
- PPO: Blue Cross Blue Shield is South Carolina's primary PPO provider, charging 40-year-olds $743 monthly with a $2,390 deductible and $3,242 MOOP.
- HMO: Ambetter offers competitive HMO coverage for 40-year-olds at $590 monthly with a $3,212 deductible and $5,545 MOOP.
- EPO: Blue Cross Blue Shield charges 40-year-olds $660 monthly with a $3,483 deductible and $5,786 MOOP.
*All rates are averages based on Silver plans for the given category.
Compare South Carolina Health Insurance Providers
Premiums, deductibles and out-of-pocket costs vary among South Carolina insurers. Filter results by age, metal level, plan type and HSA eligibility below.
Data filtered by:
HMO
Silver
40
No
| Ambetter | $590 | HMO | Silver | $5,545 | $3,212 | 40 | No |
| First Choice Next | $628 | HMO | Silver | $5,888 | $2,190 | 40 | No |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $576 | HMO | Silver | $5,578 | $4,064 | 40 | No |
| Molina Healthcare | $584 | HMO | Silver | $5,800 | $3,368 | 40 | No |
| Instil Health | $587 | HMO | Silver | $6,341 | $3,121 | 40 | No |
| UnitedHealthcare | $766 | HMO | Silver | $6,048 | $2,529 | 40 | No |
How to Choose the Best Health Insurance in South Carolina
Choosing health insurance in South Carolina means weighing premiums against deductibles, network access and coverage limits.
- 1Assess Your Health Needs
Review your current medications, planned procedures and how often you visit doctors to determine which coverage level makes sense.
- 2Compare Multiple Insurer Quotes
Request rates from at least three South Carolina health insurance companies to spot price differences and coverage variations.
- 3Check Provider Networks
Verify your preferred doctors, specialists and hospitals accept plans you're considering. Out-of-network care costs more and may require full payment upfront.
- 4Review Cost-Sharing Details
Higher deductibles lower monthly premiums, but increase upfront costs when you need care. Your maximum out-of-pocket limit caps annual expenses, limiting your total costs even during major medical events.
- 5Evaluate Plan Types
HMOs, PPOs, EPOs, and POS plans are available nationwide; each offers different trade-offs between cost and flexibility. HMOs require referrals but cost less, while PPOs offer freedom to see specialists without approval at higher premiums. EPOs and POS plans fall between these options.
- 6Explore Federal Programs
Subsidies and Medicare plans make health insurance more affordable. If you have low income, a qualifying disability or are 65 or older, explore Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement options. Premium tax credits through HealthCare.gov can reduce monthly costs for eligible individuals and families.
How Much Does Health Insurance Cost in South Carolina?
HMO plans provide the most affordable Bronze coverage in South Carolina at $426 monthly and are the only Bronze option available. For the Silver tier, POS plans offer the cheapest rates at $572, while POS also leads the Gold tier affordability at $621 per month.
PPO plans cost more across Silver and Gold tiers, with premiums reaching $748 and $760, respectively. HMO plans offer the lowest costs but limited provider networks, while PPO plans provide broader network access at higher prices. No Platinum coverage is available in South Carolina.
| EPO | No Data | $660 | $701 | No Data |
| HMO | $426 | $611 | $653 | No Data |
| POS | No Data | $572 | $621 | No Data |
| PPO | No Data | $748 | $760 | No Data |
*Rates are averages for 40-year-olds in South Carolina. Your rates will vary based on your age and location.
Best Health Insurance in South Carolina: Bottom Line
Ambetter, First Choice Next and Blue Cross Blue Shield top South Carolina's health insurance rankings for 2026. Ambetter offers the best balance of affordable monthly rates and reasonable out-of-pocket costs, while Blue Cross Blue Shield provides the cheapest premiums but higher deductibles.
Best South Carolina Health Insurance: FAQ
South Carolina health insurance questions typically cover enrollment timing, state regulations and coordinating multiple plans:
How do I get health insurance in South Carolina?
South Carolina residents can obtain health insurance through HealthCare.gov, directly from insurance companies, or with help from licensed brokers. The open enrollment period runs from Nov. 1 through Jan. 15 each year. Special enrollment periods are available after qualifying life events like marriage, job loss or relocation.
Are you required to have health insurance in South Carolina?
South Carolina doesn't require health insurance, and you won't experience penalties for being uninsured. Without coverage, though, you pay the full price for medical care.
Can you have multiple health insurance plans in South Carolina?
Yes, you can have multiple health insurance plans in South Carolina. Through coordination of benefits, your primary plan pays first, and your secondary plan may cover remaining eligible expenses. This arrangement commonly occurs when both spouses have employer-sponsored coverage or when combining Medicare with supplemental insurance.
Our Review Methodology
South Carolina's health insurance market features mostly HMO plans. We ranked providers by focusing heavily on monthly premiums since they create the highest ongoing cost. We also examined maximum out-of-pocket limits and deductibles, which impact your total annual spending.
Our Scoring System
We weighted three cost factors:
- Monthly premium (60%): This monthly payment has the biggest impact on affordability. Lower premiums earn higher scores.
- Maximum out-of-pocket (20%): This caps your total yearly costs beyond premiums. Lower limits score better.
- Deductible (20%): This is what you pay before coverage starts. Lower deductibles get higher scores.
Scores are adjusted for each filter combination. For Silver-tier HMO plans, the best provider gets a perfect 5 out of 5 score. All others are ranked compared to that top performer.
Sample Consumer Profile
We reviewed all 2026 South Carolina plans for people aged 18, 26, 40, 50 and 60. Prices are shown for 40-year-olds unless otherwise noted. We analyzed every tier: Catastrophic, Bronze, Expanded Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum.
Related Pages
About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer, is MoneyGeek's resident Personal Finance Expert. With over five years of experience analyzing the insurance market, he conducts original research and creates tailored content for all types of buyers. His insights have been featured in publications like CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.
Fitzpatrick holds a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He's also a five-time Jeopardy champion!
He writes about economics and insurance, breaking down complex topics so people know what they're buying.