Individual Health Insurance
Compare ACA, short-term, COBRA, and self-employed coverage
ACA Marketplace Plans
The ACA marketplace is where most South Carolinians get individual health insurance. Every plan covers the 10 essential health benefits, no one can be denied for a pre-existing condition, and premium tax credits often cut monthly premiums by hundreds of dollars. SC uses the federal exchange at healthcare.gov.
- No denial for pre-existing conditions
- Premium tax credits for most SC residents
- Open enrollment Nov 1 – Jan 15
Short-Term Health Insurance
Short-term health insurance is built for gaps between regular plans. These policies are medically underwritten, meaning they can exclude pre-existing conditions, but premiums are lower and approval is fast. Coverage often starts the next day. In SC, short-term plans run up to 364 days with renewals up to 36 months.
Self-Employed Health Insurance
If you're a freelancer, contractor, or small business owner, your options include ACA marketplace plans (with potential subsidies), short-term coverage, and ICHRAs if you have employees. Self-employed individuals can also deduct 100% of their health insurance premiums as an above-the-line tax deduction.
Self-service option · HealthSherpa
Want to quote and enroll yourself?
HealthSherpa is the same enrollment platform we use behind the scenes. You can shop every ACA plan in your zip, see your subsidy in real time, and enroll directly through our agent link. We stay your broker of record, so help is one phone call away when you need it.
- Every Bronze, Silver, and Gold plan in your area
- Subsidy estimate built in
- Year-round changes during a qualifying life event
Opens HealthSherpa's enrollment portal in a new tab. The link is tied to our agent attribution, so we stay your broker of record at no extra cost.
Enrollment windows
When can you sign up?
Nov 1 – Jan 15
Open Enrollment Period
The annual window to enroll in or change ACA marketplace coverage. Enroll by Dec 15 for Jan 1 effective date.
Within 60 days
Special Enrollment Period
Opens after a qualifying life event like losing job coverage, getting married, having a baby, or moving.
Anytime
Short-Term Coverage
No enrollment window. Coverage can begin as soon as the next day after approval.
Andrew Mayne helped my husband and I get health insurance after moving to South Carolina from Ohio. He was very helpful with understanding our choices and what would be best for us. Super nice and very knowledgeable. Highly recommend.
Olivia P.
Individual plan client · South Carolina
Related coverage
Other ways we can help
ACA Marketplace Plans
Compare every Silver, Gold, and Bronze plan in your zip, with subsidies already factored in.
Learn moreShort-Term Plans
Bridge a coverage gap with a fast-approval policy starting as soon as tomorrow.
Learn moreSelf-Employed
Coverage built for freelancers, contractors, and small business owners.
Learn moreHospital Indemnity Plans
Fixed cash benefits that pay you directly when you're admitted to a hospital, helping cover deductibles and lost income.
Learn moreShort & Long-Term Disability
Income replacement coverage for injuries or illnesses that keep you out of work temporarily or long-term.
Learn more
Testimonials
What Our Clients Say
Real people. Real guidance. Real peace of mind.
I can't say enough nice things about Will Murdock and the hours he's spent helping me find the best plan. He sat on hold listening to elevator music for hours getting all the kinks worked out with my Medicare and Medicaid.
Stacey R.
Medicare client · South Carolina
I was looking for new health insurance and ended up with dental and vision too. Will offered different plans that worked for my budget. Finding insurance isn't always easy, but they made it simple.
Brittany P.
Individual & supplemental plan member · South Carolina
Sherri is incredible. In the 12 years I've handled our company's insurance, we were only ever offered the same two paths. She gave us options no previous agent had ever mentioned, worked directly with each employee, and answered every question.
Jill C.
Group benefits decision-maker · South Carolina
Kearah saved my sanity. She helped me navigate a very uncertain period of getting solid coverage — she was on every call with me and even did footwork on my behalf. I'll be calling her for life insurance next.
ILONA
Health & life client · South Carolina
Brandon is a wealth of information. He's personable, easy to talk to, and made the crazy world of Medicare make sense. He's my recommendation for friends and family getting ready to become eligible.
Matt L.
New Medicare enrollee · South Carolina
Sherri reached out to the Chamber to discuss our health plan and found us a plan with a wider range of benefits. Her knowledge of the health insurance market is remarkable, and her customer service is exceptional.
Irmo Chamber of Commerce
Member organisation · Irmo, SC
Brandon is super compassionate with older folks. He guided my mom through her Medicare open enrollment so smoothly. Thanks, Brandon.
Melissa F.
Family caregiver · South Carolina
As a self-employed small business owner, I'd always carried high deductibles and minimal coverage to make insurance work. Sherri found my family a plan with real coverage and was patient with every question I had.
Victoria A.
Self-employed plan member · South Carolina
The owner and employees were extremely knowledgeable in finding us insurance options. Sherri explained everything and answered every question. Kristian was professional and never made me feel like a burden — he was happy to help.
Allison H.
Long-time client · South Carolina
Andrew is amazing at serving his clients. He cares for them from the beginning to the end of the process. I'd recommend him to anyone looking to add health or life insurance.
Joy H.
Health & life client · South Carolina
Individual & family carriers
Our Brokerage Partners
Blue Cross Blue Shield
Ambetter
Molina
UnitedHealthcare
Why work with us
Independent broker, every option compared
Every carrier compared
Not tied to one company. We compare plans from BlueCross BlueShield, UnitedHealthcare, Aetna, Ambetter, Molina, Elevance Health, Kaiser Permanente, Oscar, and others available in your area side by side.
Subsidy guidance
We help you understand and maximize your ACA premium tax credits.
Real answers, not a call center
Talk to a licensed broker who knows the provider networks in your area.
Got Questions?
Frequently Asked Questions
Have a question not listed here? Get in touch.
It depends on your age, income, household size, and plan tier. Most SC residents using the ACA marketplace pay far less after premium tax credits than the sticker price, and many qualify for a substantial subsidy without realizing it. Short-term plans are cheaper than ACA coverage but cover less. The only way to know your real cost is to run a quote — we'll do it in a few minutes.
You have a few options: ACA marketplace plans (often with subsidies), short-term health insurance, COBRA if you recently lost employer coverage, or Medicaid if your income qualifies. Which one fits depends on your income, your health needs, and how long you need coverage for.
Yes, if you have a qualifying life event. Losing job-based coverage, getting married or divorced, having a baby, or moving can open a 60-day Special Enrollment Period to pick an ACA plan. Short-term health insurance is available year-round.
There's no single best plan. It depends on which doctors you want to keep, what prescriptions you take, how often you see a provider, and what you can pay monthly. For most people who qualify for subsidies, a Silver-tier marketplace plan comes out ahead. We'll walk through the specifics with you.
Compare your individual health insurance options, free
We'll compare every available plan in your area, run your subsidy calculation, and help you choose coverage that fits.