South Carolina open enrollment 2027 Open enrollment · South Carolina

South Carolina Open Enrollment 2027 for Self-Employed

Last updated November 3, 2026 · By Frank Caballero, licensed health insurance broker

Short answer

For self-employed people and 1099 contractors in South Carolina, open enrollment for 2027 coverage runs November 1, 2026 to January 15, 2027 on HealthCare.gov, and December 15 is the date to choose by for a January 1 start. A private, medically underwritten plan does not wait for the window: if approved, it can start the first of any month, which suits income that never arrives on a schedule.

What 2027 looks like for you

South Carolina's average 2027 rate change is 22.1% (finalized). The details are on the South Carolina 2027 premium increase page.

The subsidy line for 2027 sits at 400% of the federal poverty level: $63,840 for one person and $86,560 for two. For self-employed people the income that counts is net business income after expenses, plus any other household income, and a strong fourth quarter can carry you over the line. Starting with tax year 2026 there is no cap on repaying excess advance credit, so estimate carefully. General information, not tax advice — confirm with your CPA based on your specific entity structure.

South Carolina this year

South Carolina's individual premiums rise about 22 percent on average under final 2027 rates, among the steepest I see, with six insurers filing. Like its neighbors, the state's Marketplace grew fast while the enhanced help lasted, so many enrollees now absorb both the loss of that help and a large rate jump. South Carolinians use HealthCare.gov and have until January 15, 2027. Charleston, Columbia and Greenville have more choices than rural counties. Grand Strand hospitality workers, Upstate automotive-supplier contractors, Charleston port truckers and coastal real estate agents earning beyond subsidy range see the full jump.

Work I see most often among South Carolina's self-employed buyers: hospitality and tourism workers along the Grand Strand and in Charleston, construction trades, real estate agents, manufacturing and automotive-supplier contractors in the Upstate, and port and trucking contractors in Charleston.

One thing to do before you choose

Get two quotes side by side before December 15: your 2027 HealthCare.gov renewal and a private, medically underwritten plan. A private plan isn't affected by income-based rules, since it is rated on health, age and location; it does have to pass underwriting, it is sold outside HealthCare.gov, and what it covers depends on the policy. For a healthy Myrtle Beach or Charleston worker earning above $63,840, that comparison can reveal a real difference.

Your checklist

Your South Carolina renewal notice and its 2027 price
A net income estimate with a cushion
Doctors and prescriptions in each network
A private quote if you are healthy and near the line

Private plan or Marketplace?

Private plan

Healthy and above the line: priced on age, ZIP code and health, not income. Approval depends on health answers; not an ACA Marketplace plan.

Marketplace

A health condition or income under the line: HealthCare.gov must accept you, and the subsidy may make it the better value.

Compare South Carolina plans this open enrollment

Private plans priced first, the Marketplace alongside when it fits. Phone or video, English or Spanish, no fee.

Get a quote Book a call (786) 218-2384

About your broker

Frank Caballero (NPN 21032307), licensed in 31 states including South Carolina. Phone or video, English or Spanish, no fee; independent, not HealthCare.gov or any government agency.

Questions

When is the 2027 open enrollment deadline in South Carolina?

January 15, 2027 on HealthCare.gov. Choose by December 15, 2026 for coverage that starts January 1; plans picked after that start February 1.

My hospitality work along the Grand Strand is seasonal. Should I use summer or winter earnings to estimate 2027?

Neither on its own. The Marketplace uses your full-year household income, so add the busy summer months and the slow winter months into one yearly figure. If your total sits close to that 400 percent cutoff, small changes matter, so revisit the estimate if bookings shift.

Can I get a private plan in South Carolina after open enrollment closes?

Yes. You can apply in any month and, if approved, a private plan can start the first of a month; the insurer can decline based on health answers.

More for South Carolina

Official sources: HealthCare.gov, the federal Marketplace; HealthCare.gov: special enrollment periods. FC Insurance Solutions is an independent, licensed brokerage and is not affiliated with any government agency.

Written by Frank Caballero, licensed health insurance broker in South Carolina and 30 other states, NPN 21032307. Last updated November 3, 2026.