South Carolina ACA Marketplace at a glance
| South Carolina | |
|---|---|
| Marketplace | HealthCare.gov (federal Marketplace) |
| Open enrollment (2027 coverage) | November 1, 2026 to January 15, 2027 — source |
| Medicaid expansion | No — details |
| Enhanced federal tax credits | The enhanced federal premium tax credits expired at the end of 2025 and have not been extended. (KFF, October 2026) |
Facts verified from the sources linked above as of October 2026. Dates and rules can change; confirm on the official Marketplace site before you act.
Help with the cost of coverage in South Carolina
Premium tax credits lower your monthly Marketplace premium based on your household income and the cost of local plans. The enhanced federal credits that applied through 2025 have expired, so many households pay more than before. To know your number, run it with your real income. Our subsidy guide explains what happens if your income changes during the year.
Medicaid in South Carolina
South Carolina has not expanded Medicaid. Parents and caretaker relatives can qualify at or below 62% of the federal poverty level, and the state lists no income limit for adults without children, who generally do not qualify. Whether you qualify depends on your household and income, so we check Medicaid and Marketplace eligibility together before you pick a plan.
Plan choices and networks in South Carolina
Marketplace plans come in bronze, silver, gold and platinum levels, and networks differ by insurer and by where you live. Compare the metal tiers, check that your doctors and hospitals are in network, and look at the deductible and out-of-pocket maximum, not just the premium.
Business owners and self-employed in South Carolina
If you run a business, you may have better options than the individual Marketplace. See ICHRA (an employer allowance for employees’ individual plans), group health and SHOP, and self-employed health insurance.
ACA help by county in South Carolina
Marketplace plans and prices are set by area, so they can differ across South Carolina. Here are the 10 largest counties. See all of them in our South Carolina directory.
- Horry County
- Greenville County
- Charleston County
- Richland County
- Spartanburg County
- Beaufort County
- Lexington County
- York County
- Anderson County
- Berkeley County
Official South Carolina resources
- HealthCare.gov: the official South Carolina Marketplace for 2027 coverage.
- HealthCare.gov: federal Marketplace information.
- South Carolina Medicaid: eligibility and how to apply.
- South Carolina Department of Insurance: South Carolina’s insurance regulator, including agent license lookup.
Helpful guides
- ACA open enrollment deadline: can I sign up late?
- Can I keep my ACA subsidy if my income changes?
- Bronze vs. silver vs. gold ACA plans
- HMO vs. PPO vs. EPO
- Deductible vs. out-of-pocket maximum
- How much does health insurance cost without a job?
Let’s check your South Carolina options together
We run your income through the subsidy rules and compare plans for your doctors. No cost, no pressure.
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