South Carolina Health Insurance

South Carolina has fewer health insurance regulations than most states. Still, it's important to familiarize yourself with them, so you're more confident, knowledgeable and wise in your purchase.

This guide:

  • Describes South Carolina health insurance policy regulations

  • Lists rules for South Carolina health insurance companies

Health insurance policies are regulated by each state's own health insurance laws. South Carolina health insurance companies and policyholders alike must abide by established insurance laws.

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South Carolina health insurance policy provisions

Some of the most important South Carolina health insurance laws are the ones that influence the health insurance policy itself.

For one, all South Carolina health insurance policies must contain a provision called the guaranteed renewability provision. This states that your South Carolina health insurance is always renewable, as long as the terms of the contract are honored.

South Carolina health insurance policies can also include provisions that exclude coverage for pre-existing conditions.

Medical conditions are considered to be pre-existing if you received medical treatment for or were diagnosed with them 12 months prior to the beginning of the policy, if your policy is an HMO. If you have an indemnity (fee-for-service) plan, the cut-off period is 5 years pior to the effective date of the policy.

Regulating South Carolina health insurance companies

South Carolina health insurance companies are either licensed in the state of South Carolina or not. If they are licensed in the state of South Carolina then you know, as a consumer, that the company has met all South Carolina health insurance regulations.

Although being licensed is a good quality indicator of South Carolina health insurance companies, you should still be aware of the few basic South Carolina health insurance company regulations.

Different factors affect the cost and availability of South Carolina health insurance. In SC, health insurance companies can use your health status as a deciding factor in whether or not too offer you a South Carolina health insurance policy and what it will cost.

This means any South Carolina health insurance company can deny your application for health insurance. Additionally, SC health insurance companies can charge you more due to a failing or deteriorating health condition.

Although your health insurance policy can be canceled for certain reasons, South Carolina health insurance laws prohibit insurance companies from terminating your policy on the grounds of illness.

Temporary South Carolina health insurance

Temporary health insurance is recommended during times when you have breaks in your health insurance coverage. A list of South Carolina health insurance companies that sell these policies is available from the South Carolina Department of Insurance.

As an alternative to temporary health insurance, South Carolina health insurance companies also sell conversion policies.

You are eligible for a conversion policy if you have lost your South Carolina health insurance; due to a divorce, for instance. Applications for a conversion policy must be received no later than 60 days after the divorce is finalized.

More SC health insurance help

If you want more help getting a good health insurance policy, take our free health insurance internet course.

Also see the guide to South Carolina small business health insurance.


To find out more about SC health insurance laws and regulations, visit the official website of the South Carolina Department of Insurance.