Get Covered in South Carolina for 2026!

Choose Healthy Life helps South Carolinians find affordable health insurance through HealthCare.gov — at no cost to you. Get guidance to compare plans, understand savings, and enroll with confidence.

Connect with a Choose Healthy Life Health Navigator

Missed Open Enrollment? You may still qualify for a if you have a qualifying life event.

You may qualify for an SEP if you've experienced a life event such as losing coverage, moving, having a baby, or adopting a child — including if you or anyone in your household lost qualifying coverage in the past 60 days or expects to lose it in the next 60 days.

If you lost Medicaid or CHIP coverage in the past 90 days, you may also qualify for an SEP.

Connect with a Choose Healthy Life Health Navigator for Special Enrollment

Through our network of churches and community partners, CHL Health Navigators help South Carolinians:

  • Understand eligibility and savings

  • Gather required documents

  • Complete the HealthCare.gov application

  • Connect to in-person, local assistance

How to Get Covered

Whether you’re new to the Marketplace or renewing, follow these steps to enroll.
Choose Healthy Life Health Navigators are here to help! Connect above to learn more.

  • Most South Carolina residents can get Marketplace coverage. Many qualify for premium tax credits based on income and household size that lower monthly costs.

    • Social Security numbers (or document numbers for non-citizens)

    • Dates of birth for everyone in your household

    • Employer and income info (pay stubs, W-2s, or 1099s)

    • Policy numbers for current coverage (if renewing)

    • Immigration documents (if applicable)

    • Home and mailing address

  • Go to HealthCare.gov to create an account or log in. Confirm your contact details are up to date before you start the application.

  • Look at premiums, deductibles, copays, your doctors and hospitals in-network, and covered prescriptions. Consider your total yearly costs—not just the monthly premium.

  • Choose your plan and enroll on HealthCare.gov. Enroll by December 15, 2025 for coverage that starts January 1, 2026.

  • Report changes in income or household size as they happen to keep your savings accurate and avoid tax-time issues.

  • After you enroll, look for:

    • Confirmation email from HealthCare.gov and your plan

    • Your first bill and payment due date (pay on time to activate coverage)

    • Your member ID cards in the mail

    • Instructions to choose a primary care provider (if required)

      Tip: Keep your confirmation number and plan documents in a safe place. If anything looks off, use Find Local Help or your plan’s member services for assistance.

Lower Your Costs with Savings

You may qualify for premium tax credits that reduce your monthly payment. Some enrollees also qualify for cost-sharing reductions (lower deductibles and copays) when they choose a Silver plan. Savings are based on your expected yearly income and household size.

See Savings and Plans

Frequently Asked Questions

  • They are federal savings that lower your monthly health insurance premium, based on your estimated yearly income and household size. You can take the credit in advance to reduce your monthly bill or reconcile it when you file taxes. Update your application if your income changes.

  • An SEP lets you enroll outside Open Enrollment if you have a qualifying life event—like losing other coverage, moving, getting married, having a baby, or a change in immigration status. Deadlines apply, so act quickly after the event.

  • Compare each year. Plans, networks, and prices can change. Review your doctors, prescriptions, and total yearly costs. If you do nothing, you may be automatically renewed—but shopping can save money.

  • Enroll by December 15 for coverage starting January 1. If you lose coverage midyear, apply as soon as possible to see if you qualify for an SEP to avoid gaps.

  • Social Security numbers (or document numbers), dates of birth, income documents (pay stubs, W‑2s/1099s), current policy numbers (if renewing), and immigration documents if applicable.

Connect with a Choose Healthy Life Health Navigator

This website is supported by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services(HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $132,074 with 100 percent funded by CMS/HHS. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by CMS/HHS, or the U.S. Government.