Blue Cross Blue Shield provides the cheapest overall health insurance in South Carolina, with an average monthly premium of $352. While availability may vary, consider UnitedHealthcare, First Choice Next and Molina for more affordable health plans.
Most Affordable Health Insurance in South Carolina
Updated: June 11, 2025
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Key Takeaways
Blue Cross Blue Shield provides the state's most affordable health insurance, saving policyholders an average of $242 per month compared to the state average.
Blue Cross Blue Shield offers top-rated full coverage Gold plans, with affordable pricing starting at $483 monthly.
Finding the cheapest health insurance starts with selecting a coverage level within your budget, checking your subsidy eligibility and comparing plans from several companies.
Most Affordable Health Insurance Companies in South Carolina
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $352 | $242 |
| UnitedHealthcare | $464 | $131 |
| Molina | $483 | $111 |
| First Choice Next | $495 | $99 |
*These plans reflect rates for 40-year-olds who aren't considered low-income.
Cheapest South Carolina Health Insurance Plans by Profile
While we've summarized the cheapest companies for most people in South Carolina, the most affordable plan for you will differ widely depending on your desired coverage tier and age. Below are the cheapest companies by category for most in the area:
- Cheapest for Young Adults: Blue Cross Blue Shield ($369 monthly)
- Cheapest for Seniors: Blue Cross Blue Shield ($978 monthly)
- Cheapest Catastrophic Plan: Blue Cross Blue Shield ($255 monthly)
- Cheapest Expanded Bronze Plan: Blue Cross Blue Shield ($326 monthly)
- Cheapest Bronze Plan: Blue Cross Blue Shield ($319 monthly)
- Cheapest Silver Plan: Blue Cross Blue Shield ($461 monthly)
- Cheapest Gold Plan: Blue Cross Blue Shield ($483 monthly)
While these are a good measure of the most affordable plans, they only represent the cheapest for 40-year-olds (26-year-olds for young adults and 60 for seniors), and your cheapest company and plan may differ for your profile. So below, we've created a filterable table that you can modify by plan tier and age to find your lowest rate match.
Data filtered by:Results filtered by:
Select
Plan Level:Bronze
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Age:40
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | Blue Pee Dee Bronze 2 | $319 | $71 | $9,200 |
Cheapest Health Insurance Plans by County in South Carolina
While Blue Cross Blue Shield is the cheapest provider overall, Ambetter offers the most affordable and widely available Silver plans in most counties. Below, you can review which company and plan are most affordable in your area.
| Abbeville | Ambetter | $413 | Clear Silver |
| Aiken | Ambetter | $413 | Clear Silver |
| Allendale | Molina | $426 | Silver 12 |
| Anderson | Ambetter | $413 | Clear Silver |
| Bamberg | Ambetter | $413 | Clear Silver |
| Barnwell | Ambetter | $413 | Clear Silver |
| Beaufort | Molina | $426 | Silver 12 |
| Berkeley | Ambetter | $413 | Clear Silver |
| Calhoun | Ambetter | $413 | Clear Silver |
| Charleston | Ambetter | $413 | Clear Silver |
| Cherokee | Ambetter | $413 | Clear Silver |
| Chester | First Choice Next | $457 | First Choice Next Silver Classic 5900 + No-Referrals |
| Chesterfield | Ambetter | $413 | Clear Silver |
| Clarendon | Ambetter | $413 | Clear Silver |
| Colleton | Ambetter | $413 | Clear Silver |
| Darlington | Ambetter | $413 | Clear Silver |
| Dillon | Ambetter | $413 | Clear Silver |
| Dorchester | Molina | $426 | Silver 12 |
| Edgefield | Ambetter | $413 | Clear Silver |
| Fairfield | Ambetter | $413 | Clear Silver |
| Florence | Ambetter | $413 | Clear Silver |
| Georgetown | Ambetter | $413 | Clear Silver |
| Greenville | Ambetter | $413 | Clear Silver |
| Greenwood | Ambetter | $413 | Clear Silver |
| Hampton | Molina | $426 | Silver 12 |
| Horry | Ambetter | $413 | Clear Silver |
| Jasper | Ambetter | $413 | Clear Silver |
| Kershaw | Ambetter | $413 | Clear Silver |
| Lancaster | Molina | $426 | Silver 12 |
| Laurens | Ambetter | $413 | Clear Silver |
| Lee | Ambetter | $413 | Clear Silver |
| Lexington | Ambetter | $413 | Clear Silver |
| Marion | Ambetter | $413 | Clear Silver |
| Marlboro | Ambetter | $413 | Clear Silver |
| McCormick | Ambetter | $413 | Clear Silver |
| Newberry | Ambetter | $413 | Clear Silver |
| Oconee | Ambetter | $413 | Clear Silver |
| Orangeburg | Ambetter | $413 | Clear Silver |
| Pickens | Ambetter | $413 | Clear Silver |
| Richland | Molina | $426 | Silver 12 |
| Saluda | Ambetter | $413 | Clear Silver |
| Spartanburg | Ambetter | $413 | Clear Silver |
| Sumter | Ambetter | $413 | Clear Silver |
| Union | Ambetter | $413 | Clear Silver |
| Williamsburg | Molina | $426 | Silver 12 |
| York | Ambetter | $413 | Clear Silver |
How to Find the Cheapest Health Insurance in South Carolina
Follow these steps to find affordable health insurance in South Carolina:
- 1
Determine what coverage plan you need and can afford
Your coverage plan type and tier will differ widely depending on your personal health circumstances and income. Calculate how much income you can set aside for monthly premiums, considering your current health and risk for injury or disease based on location, age and lifestyle.
- 2
Find out your subsidy eligibility
People earning between $14,580 and $54,000 annually may qualify for premium tax credits, reducing costs by 40% to 100%. Those with incomes below 250% of the Federal Poverty Level ($36,450) can access cost-sharing reductions, decreasing out-of-pocket expenses up to 73%.
- 3
Consider federal programs if old enough
If you are eligible, explore Medicare Advantage plans and Medicare Supplement plans. These programs are often more affordable than traditional health insurance and offer more flexible coverage options.
- 4
Review prescription formularies
Review prescription coverages for medications you regularly take. Some insurers place common medications on lower tiers with reduced copays compared to competitors, potentially saving you hundreds annually.
- 5
Compare plans during Open Enrollment
Open Enrollment runs from November 1 to January 15. Special Enrollment is an option if you've experienced major life changes such as job loss, divorce or childbirth. Evaluate plans by considering coverage types, cost, customer ratings and compatibility with available medical providers.
MONEYGEEK TIP: MAKE SURE TO APPLY PROMPTLY
To avoid technical issues, apply for coverage at least five days before the enrollment deadline. Prepare your income verification, Social Security numbers and immigration documents to ensure a smooth application process.
Most Affordable Health Insurance in South Carolina: Bottom Line
South Carolina's most affordable health insurance companies are Blue Cross Blue Shield, UnitedHealthcare, Molina and First Choice Next. While we recommend these affordable options, you should compare as many plan types and tier quotes as possible from multiple companies to get the best deal.
Cheap South Carolina Health Insurance: FAQ
Below are frequently asked questions about finding affordable health insurance in South Carolina:
What is the cheapest health insurance in South Carolina?
Blue Cross Blue Shield is the most affordable Silver plan in South Carolina, with rates starting at $352 for 40-year-olds. Consider First Choice Next, Molina, and UnitedHealthcare for other budget-friendly options.
What are the downsides of a cheap health insurance plan?
Compared to higher-priced plans, cheap health insurance has higher out-of-pocket costs, including deductibles and copays. More expensive plans reduce out-of-pocket expenses and offer more extensive health care coverage.
How We Decided the Cheapest Health Insurance Companies in South Carolina
MoneyGeek obtained data directly from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) on available health insurance plans in South Carolina based on consumers aged 18, 26, 40, 50 and 60.Â
We considered the cheapest overall to be those with the lowest monthly premium costs for 40-year-olds, as most in the state are near this age demographic, and for simplicity. However, cheaper plans tend to have higher out-of-pocket maximums and deductibles, meaning you may pay more if you receive care.
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!
Passionate about economics and insurance, he aims to promote transparency in financial topics and empower others to make confident money decisions.