From Michelle's desk in Summerville
Clear answers to the questions that matter
Insurance is confusing on purpose. These guides aren't. Each one is built from the questions I get every week from real people in the Lowcountry — with real numbers, real plans, and no sales pitch attached.
The two guides everyone reads first
If you only have time for two, make it these. Together they cover what most South Carolina households actually pay for coverage in 2026.
How Much Does Health Insurance Cost in South Carolina in 2026?
A complete breakdown of individual and family premiums by metal tier, subsidy amounts at every income level, carrier comparisons, and county-specific benchmark plans for the Lowcountry. The single resource I share most often with new clients.
Featured Cost GuideHow Much Does Medicare Cost in South Carolina in 2026?
Every Medicare cost in one place. Part A, Part B, Part C, Part D, and Medigap premiums plus IRMAA surcharges, Advantage plan comparisons, and total annual cost scenarios for Charleston-area retirees.
How much does it actually cost?
Real prices, real subsidies, and real out-of-pocket math — not the marketing version. Every cost guide is updated for the 2026 plan year.
Health Insurance Cost in South Carolina
Premiums, subsidies, and total out-of-pocket costs for individuals and families on the marketplace. See how much you would actually pay after the premium tax credit.
Cost GuideMedicare Cost in South Carolina
Part A through Part D, plus Medigap and IRMAA surcharges. A clear-eyed look at what Medicare really costs once you turn 65 in the Lowcountry.
Cost GuideDental Insurance Cost in South Carolina
DHMO, DPPO, and discount dental plan pricing compared, plus typical out-of-pocket costs for cleanings, crowns, root canals, implants, and braces.
Cost GuideSmall Business Insurance Cost in SC
Per-employee premiums, ICHRA budget options, SHOP tax credits, and contribution strategies for Lowcountry employers building a benefits package.
Plan comparisons by location
Side-by-side comparisons of the top-rated marketplace and Medicare plans available in your county — ranked on what actually matters when you have to use them.
Best Health Insurance in Summerville, SC
BlueCross BlueShield, Ambetter, and Molina compared head-to-head on network breadth, cost, and access to MUSC, Roper St. Francis, and Trident Health.
Best PlansBest Medicare Plans in Charleston County
Top-rated Medicare Advantage, Medigap, and Part D plans for 2026. Star ratings, premiums, and benefit comparisons for the major Charleston carriers.
Coverage isn't the only answer
Sometimes the best help isn't a plan at all. This directory is for anyone who falls into the coverage gap or needs care right now.
Topic guides
Deep-dive guides on specific situations, carriers, and strategies. Written for Lowcountry families navigating the 2026 subsidy cliff, life events, and coverage transitions.
2026 South Carolina ACA Marketplace Rate Changes: The Full Tracker
Every approved 2026 rate change for every SC ACA marketplace carrier. BlueCross BlueShield SC, Ambetter, Molina, UHC, Select Health, First Choice Next. Average +21% gross rate increase before subsidy cliff.
Topic GuideACA Plans in South Carolina: 2026 Guide for Freelancers
Find the right ACA marketplace plan in SC as a freelancer. Compare metal tiers, networks, and costs for Summerville self-employed workers.
Topic GuideBCBS vs Ambetter vs Molina vs UHC: SC Silver Plan Comparison for 2026
Side-by-side comparison of the six main carriers on the South Carolina ACA marketplace for 2026: BlueCross BlueShield SC, Ambetter from Absolute Total Care, Molina Healthcare, UnitedHealthcare, Select Health, and First Choice Next. Networks, premiums, 2026 rate changes.
Topic GuideCOBRA vs. Marketplace: The Real Math for South Carolina Workers
Compare COBRA and ACA marketplace plans in SC after job loss. See real cost breakdowns to make the right choice for your situation.
Topic GuideDoes Using a Health Insurance Broker Cost More? (The Honest Answer for SC Buyers)
No. Using a licensed health insurance broker does not cost more than buying direct from Healthcare.gov or a carrier. Brokers are paid by the carriers, not you. Here's how it actually works in South Carolina.
Topic GuideHealth + Dental + Life: The Self-Employed Insurance Stack
Build complete insurance coverage as a self-employed worker in Summerville, SC. Health, dental, vision, life, and disability explained.
Topic GuideICHRA vs. Group Plan: Which Is Right for Your SC Business?
Compare ICHRA and traditional group health plans for South Carolina small businesses. Pros, cons, and real cost scenarios explained.
Topic GuideMedicare Advantage vs. Medigap: Your Summerville Guide
Compare Medicare Advantage and Medigap plans in Summerville, SC. Learn which option fits your health needs, budget, and preferred doctors.
Topic GuideMedicare Part D in the Lowcountry: What Your Drug Coverage Really Covers
Understand Medicare Part D drug coverage in Summerville, SC. Learn about the donut hole, Extra Help, and how to choose the right plan.
Topic GuideNew Baby, New Coverage: A Lowcountry Parent's Guide
Adding a baby to your health insurance in Summerville, SC. Learn about qualifying life events, pediatric dental, and family plan options.
Topic GuideNew to Summerville? Your South Carolina Insurance Guide
Just moved to Summerville, SC? Moving triggers a Special Enrollment Period. Learn about SC health insurance carriers, networks, and options.
Topic GuidePEBA 31-Day Carve-Out: The Retirement Decision SC State Employees Can't Undo
SC state employees get 31 days to decide between PEBA Medicare Supplemental and private Medigap at retirement. Miss the window and you may never get back in.
Topic GuidePEBA Dental $2,000 Cap: Why SC Teachers Run Out of Coverage by Fall
PEBA Dental Plus caps at $2,000/year. Learn how fast SC teachers hit the limit, what's not covered, and supplemental dental options that fill the gap.
Topic GuidePEBA Dependent Aging Off at 26: What SC State Employee Families Need to Know
Your child is aging off PEBA coverage at 26. Learn the exact timeline, marketplace costs in the Lowcountry, and how to avoid a coverage gap.
Topic GuidePEBA Medicare Supplemental vs. Private Medigap: What SC Retirees Need to Know
PEBA Medicare Supplemental can cost SC retirees $600-800/month for a couple. Private Medigap Plan G may save $300-500/month. Compare your real options.
Topic GuidePEBA Part-Time Teacher Life Insurance Gap: Zero Coverage, Zero Warning
SC part-time teachers get PEBA health insurance but no life or disability coverage. Learn what's missing and how to fill the gap affordably.
Topic GuidePEBA Retiree Dental Strategy: Making the $2,000 Cap Work in South Carolina
PEBA retiree dental coverage caps at $2,000/year. Learn how to combine PEBA dental with supplemental plans to cover the work you've been putting off.
Topic GuidePEBA Spouse and Dependent Coverage: Costs, Rules, and Smarter Alternatives
PEBA dependent coverage costs $400-1,200+/month for families. Learn the real tier costs, enrollment rules, and when marketplace plans save SC families money.
Topic GuideSmall Business Insurance in SC: Real Costs and Options
Small business health insurance options in Summerville, SC. SHOP, level-funded, HRA, and tax credits explained with real costs.
Topic GuideThe South Carolina Coverage Gap Explained
Understand the SC Medicaid coverage gap: who falls in it, why it exists, and what options are available for uninsured South Carolinians.
Topic GuideThe Subsidy Cliff Explained: What SC Freelancers Need to Know
Understand the ACA subsidy cliff and how it affects freelancers in South Carolina. Learn income thresholds, strategies, and what to watch for.
Topic GuideTurning 26? Your Health Insurance Options in South Carolina
Aging off your parent's health insurance at 26 in SC? Learn your options: marketplace, employer, short-term, and Medicaid eligibility.
Topic GuideWhen to Enroll in Medicare in South Carolina: A Timeline
Know exactly when to enroll in Medicare in SC. Avoid late penalties with this clear timeline of enrollment periods and deadlines.
Topic GuideYour 60-Day Insurance Playbook: What to Do Right Now
Lost your health insurance? Here's your day-by-day action plan for the next 60 days in South Carolina. Don't wait. act now.
Frequently Asked Questions
Start with the cost guide that matches your situation. If you are shopping for individual health insurance, read "Health Insurance Cost in South Carolina." If you are turning 65, read "Medicare Cost in South Carolina." Small business owner? Go straight to "Small Business Insurance Cost in SC." The featured section up top highlights the two guides most Lowcountry households need first.
Yes. Every premium, subsidy, and out-of-pocket figure is for the 2026 plan year. I update the guides whenever carriers change rates, the federal government adjusts subsidy rules, or new plans enter the South Carolina marketplace. The goal is that you never see stale numbers on this site.
For context and research, yes. For a final decision, no. The guides give you the framework - the numbers, the rules, the tradeoffs - but your exact situation (your doctors, your medications, your income, your zip code) matters too much to make the call from a guide alone. I build quotes from real carriers once you want specific options.
Because insurance is local. Premiums, available carriers, network hospitals, subsidy eligibility, and Medicaid rules all vary by state. A national guide tells you what is possible in theory; a South Carolina guide tells you what is actually available in Charleston, Dorchester, and Berkeley counties this year.
Please do. Every guide on this site is free, public, and meant to be shared. The more people who have clear information, the better - whether they end up working with me or not. There is no login, no paywall, and no trackers required to read them.
Can't find what you need?
Ask Michelle directly.
If you have a question these guides don't answer, the fastest way to get a real answer is to call. No phone tree, no sales script — just a licensed agent who has probably already helped someone with the same question this week.
Call Michelle at (843) 594-1759
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