Based on pricing, out-of-pocket costs, and overall plan value, Ambetter is the best health insurance company in South Carolina. First Choice Next, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Molina Healthcare, and Instil Health also score highly statewide, offering competitive alternatives across premiums, deductibles, and coverage.
Best Health Insurance in South Carolina (2026)
Updated: March 26, 2026
Advertising & Editorial Disclosure
Key Takeaways
Ambetter and First Choice Next are tied as South Carolina’s best health insurance providers, thanks to their low premiums, deductibles, and out-of-pocket costs.
Blue Cross Blue Shield has the most affordable health insurance in South Carolina, though its deductibles are higher than other options in the state.
When shopping for health insurance in South Carolina, compare multiple insurer quotes, review coverage and deductibles, and ensure your preferred doctors are in-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
The best health insurance in South Carolina changes by age, plan type and coverage level. Silver-tier premiums range from $421 to $1,577 monthly. The rate varies based on age and plan type.
By Age:
- Teens (18): For Blue Cross Blue Shield EPO plans, you pay $472 a month, Ambetter HMO plans are $421 and Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO plans cost $531.
- Young adults (26): Blue Cross Blue Shield EPO plans charge $529 per month, Ambetter HMO plans are $472 and Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO plans charge $595.
- Adults (40): You pay $660 per month for Blue Cross Blue Shield EPO plans, while your costs for Ambetter HMO plans are $590. Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO plans charge you $743.
- Seniors (60): Blue Cross Blue Shield EPO plan premiums are $1,402 a month, Ambetter HMO plans cost $1,252 and Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO plans charge $1,577.
By Plan Type:
- PPO: Blue Cross Blue Shield is South Carolina's only PPO provider charges $743 a month for 40-year-olds with a $2,390 deductible and $3,242 MOOP.
- HMO: You pay $590 per month for Ambetter HMO coverage for 40-year-olds. This is with a $3,212 deductible and $5,545 MOOP.
- EPO: Blue Cross Blue Shield EPO plans for 40-year-olds costs $660 a month with a $3,483 deductible and $5,786 MOOP.
- POS: Blue Cross Blue Shield is the only POS provider in South Carolina, at $572 a month with a $3,121 deductible and $6,341 MOOP.
*All these rates are averages based on Silver plans for the category in each case.
Compare South Carolina Health Insurance Providers
Health insurance costs in South Carolina change by provider, plan type and coverage level. Compare premiums, deductibles, out-of-pocket maximums, age groups, metal tiers and HSA eligibility.
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 see the doctor. This determines which coverage level makes sense.
- 2Compare Multiple Insurer Quotes
Ask for rates from at least three health insurance companies. This shows price differences and coverage variations.
- 3Check Provider Networks
Check that your doctors, specialists and hospitals accept the plan before you sign up. Out-of-network care costs more and often requires full payment upfront.
- 4Review Cost-Sharing Details
Higher deductibles lower your monthly premium but mean you pay more out of pocket when you need care. Your maximum out-of-pocket limit caps what you'll spend in a year, so your total costs stay predictable even after a major medical event.
- 5Evaluate Plan Types
HMOs, PPOs, EPOs and POS plans are available throughout the country. HMOs cost less but require referrals to see specialists. PPOs give you direct access to specialists without prior approval, though premiums run higher. EPOs and POS plans fall in between, cheaper than PPOs but pricier than HMOs.
- 6Explore Federal Programs
Subsidies and Medicare plans lower health insurance costs. If you have low income, a qualifying disability or are 65 or older, check out Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement options. Premium tax credits through HealthCare.gov reduce monthly costs for qualifying people.
How Much Does Health Insurance Cost in South Carolina?
HMO plans offer the most affordable Bronze coverage in South Carolina at $426 per month and are the only standard Bronze option available. For Expanded Bronze, POS plans lead with the lowest average rate at $397 monthly, followed by HMO at $461, PPO at $503, and EPO at $476.
In the Silver tier, POS plans remain the cheapest at $572 per month, while HMO plans cost $611, EPO $660, and PPO $748. For Gold coverage, POS again offers the lowest premiums at $621, with HMO at $653, EPO $701, and PPO $760.
HMO plans cost the least but have smaller provider networks. PPO and EPO plans have bigger networks but cost more. South Carolina has no Platinum coverage.
| EPO | No Data | $476 | $660 | $701 |
| HMO | $426 | $461 | $611 | $653 |
| POS | No Data | $397 | $572 | $621 |
| PPO | No Data | $503 | $748 | $760 |
*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 are the top health insurance providers in South Carolina for 2026. Ambetter offers the best balance of affordable monthly rates and reasonable out-of-pocket costs, while Blue Cross Blue Shield provides a broader selection of network types along with 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
We ranked the best South Carolina health insurance 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.
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.
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About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer, is MoneyGeek's resident Personal Finance Expert. He has analyzed the insurance market for over five years, conducting original research for insurance shoppers. His insights have been featured in 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.