Federal · 2027 Marketplace open enrollment (SC)

2027 health insurance open enrollment in SC: Nov. 1 to Jan. 15, the Dec. 15 deadline for Jan. 1 coverage, and SC's approved 2027 rate increases

Published October 27, 2026 · Last updated October 27, 2026

Key dates

• November 1, 2026: Open enrollment starts. This is the first day to enroll in, renew or change a Marketplace plan for 2027. (HealthCare.gov, Dates and deadlines)
• December 15, 2026: The last day to enroll or change plans for coverage that starts January 1. You must also pay your first premium. (HealthCare.gov)
• January 15, 2027: Open enrollment ends. Plans chosen December 16 to January 15 start February 1. After that, you need a Special Enrollment Period, for example after a move, losing other coverage, marriage or a new baby. (HealthCare.gov)
• The SC Department of Insurance lists the same window, November 1, 2026 to January 15, 2027, for 2027 plans. (SCDOI, Affordable Care Act page, updated Oct. 15, 2026)

What SC approved for 2027 rates

The SC Department of Insurance approved rates for 2027 individual-market plans, effective for policy years starting on or after January 1, 2027. (SCDOI, 2027 Rate Changes for Individual Market Coverage)

The weighted average for all Marketplace insurers combined is +22.26%. For all individual-market insurers, including plans sold outside the Marketplace, it is +22.17%. (SCDOI rate summary) These are changes in list premiums. What you pay depends on your plan, age, county, tobacco use and any tax credit.

Which insurers sell where

• Statewide (all 46 counties): Absolute Total Care; BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina.
• Select Health of South Carolina: 27 counties. It added Aiken, Beaufort, Darlington, Florence, Lexington, Orangeburg and York for 2027.
• Oscar Health Plan (new for 2027): Charleston, Colleton, Florence, Horry, Marion and York.
• InStil Health: Chesterfield, Darlington, Florence and York. It dropped Spartanburg.
• UnitedHealthcare of South Carolina: 9 counties. It dropped Cherokee, Chester, Colleton, Lancaster, Laurens, Lee, Marlboro and Union. (SCDOI, Affordable Care Act page)

If your insurer left your county, you will need to choose a new plan during open enrollment.

Premium tax credits in 2027

• In an October 15, 2026 proposed rule, the IRS describes current law. A taxpayer generally qualifies for the premium tax credit only if household income is “at least 100 percent but not more than 400 percent” of the federal poverty level. (IRS proposed rule, 91 FR, Oct. 15, 2026, FR Doc. 2026-21056)
• For tax years after 2025, the 2025 tax law (Public Law 119-21) removed the cap on how much people below 400% of the poverty level must repay when advance credits were too high. (same) If your income changes during the year, update your application.
• HealthCare.gov says 2027 income levels for savings are coming November 1. (HealthCare.gov, Lower costs) We will not estimate 2027 savings before official figures are out.
• For related rules, see our explainers on the IRS premium tax credit proposed rule and CMS pre-enrollment verification.

What you can do

• Log in at HealthCare.gov on or after November 1. Update your income and household, then compare plans. Even if you are re-enrolled automatically, your plan, price or network may change.

Sources

• HealthCare.gov: When can you get health insurance? (dates and deadlines)
• SC Department of Insurance: Affordable Care Act (2027 QHPs, counties)
• SCDOI: 2027 Rate Changes for Individual Market Coverage (PDF)
• IRS: Premium Tax Credit proposed regulations (Federal Register, Oct. 15, 2026)

Every statement above is drawn from the official source text linked here; section references are shown in grey. This is a plain-English summary, not legal advice. Spot an error? Tell us.