Health Insurance in Beaufort County, SC: 2027 Plans, Prices & Hospitals (Hilton Head, Bluffton & Beaufort)

Beaufort County has three Marketplace carriers for 2027: Ambetter from Absolute Total Care, BlueCross BlueShield of SC and First Choice Next, with 48 plans. The benchmark silver plan for a 40-year-old costs $649 a month at full price before subsidies, up from $585 in 2026. That 11.0% increase is the smallest of all 46 SC counties. Molina has left, and First Choice Next is new.

A smaller benchmark increase helps anyone paying full price. If you get a tax credit, it can raise your share of the premium instead.

Early retirees and self-employed buyers often pay closer to full price, so we show three ages. Since the enhanced tax credits expired after 2025, 2027 help is generally limited to incomes between 100% and 400% of the federal poverty level unless Congress acts.

Each carrier's lowest-priced plan, by metal level:

Ambetter has the lowest silver and gold prices, and BCBS has the lowest bronze. At age 60 the benchmark is $1,378 a month, which is why couples retiring before Medicare should read our early retiree cost guide.

Why a small benchmark increase can still raise your bill

Your tax credit is roughly the benchmark price minus the amount you are expected to pay based on income. The benchmark rose only $64 a month at age 40, but the cheapest bronze plan, Blue Beaufort Bronze 2, rose from $400 to $494 (+23.7%). If you had that bronze plan with a credit, the credit grew less than the premium, so your share can go up even though the benchmark barely moved. This is the scenario in our don't auto-renew guide.

Molina is leaving. Molina sold 12 plans in Beaufort County in 2026 and has none for 2027. Former Molina members need to choose a new plan; see what Molina members should do.

First Choice Next is new. First Choice Next (Select Health of South Carolina) enters with 8 plans. It is in-network at Hilton Head Hospital but not at Beaufort Memorial in our data. Our First Choice Next review covers the rest of its network.

Ambetter grew and BCBS trimmed. Ambetter went from 9 to 17 plans and BCBS from 31 to 23. BCBS still sells its regional Blue Beaufort HMO here alongside the statewide EPO.

The county splits into two hospital markets: Beaufort Memorial serves Beaufort, Port Royal and Lady's Island, while Hilton Head Hospital and Coastal Carolina Hospital in Hardeeville serve Hilton Head and Bluffton. Many residents also use MUSC in Charleston for specialty care.

• Ambetter and the BCBS EPO include all four hospitals on this list. Ambetter also has the benchmark plan and the lowest gold price.
• The Blue Beaufort HMO includes Beaufort Memorial and MUSC, but not Hilton Head Hospital or Coastal Carolina in our data. It fits northern Beaufort County better than the island.
• First Choice Next is the reverse: it includes Hilton Head, Coastal Carolina and MUSC, but not Beaufort Memorial.
• Savannah hospitals are not in our network data. If you rely on a Georgia hospital, ask us and we will check the carrier directory for you.

To confirm a doctor before enrolling, see how to check your doctor and prescriptions.

All Beaufort County plans are HMOs except the BCBS BlueEssentials and BlueConnect EPOs, and the SC Marketplace has no PPOs. Neither type pays for out-of-network care except emergencies; our HMO vs. EPO explainer covers the rest.

You live north of the Broad and use Beaufort Memorial. Ambetter, Blue Beaufort or the BCBS EPO. Blue Beaufort Bronze 2 is the cheapest plan in the county at $494 for a 40-year-old, but its $10,600 deductible equals its out-of-pocket maximum.

You live on Hilton Head or in Bluffton. Ambetter, First Choice Next or the BCBS EPO. First Choice Next's lowest silver is $692 at age 40, compared with Ambetter's $634.

You are 55 to 64 and retiring early. Compare Ambetter Signature Gold ($678 at age 40, $2,500 deductible, $8,600 out-of-pocket maximum) with silver. If your income is above 400% FPL you pay full price, so every dollar of premium counts. Our self-employed guide covers deductions and income planning.

Your income is lower. Silver with cost-sharing reductions can bring the deductible down sharply; see cost-sharing reductions.

Our agents can compare all 48 plans by the hospital you use.

Tell us your ZIP, your ages and which hospital you use, and a licensed agent will match you to the plans that include it and price them with your tax credit. For statewide context, see our 2027 South Carolina health insurance guide, the 2027 rate changes by county and neighboring Jasper County.