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 and wise in your purchase.

This guide:

  • DescribesSouth 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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You can pick what coverage you want and set your limits and deductibles, before applying for more personalized rate info. This is a service that will provide you with competing quotes from local agents who can also offer help with setting coverage limits, deciding on a plan, etc.

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 specifically.

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

South Carolina health insurance policies can also include provisions excluding 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 you are insured under an HMO plan and 5 years prior to the beginning if you're insured under a regular indemnity plan.

Legally, South Carolina health insurance policies are allowed to include exclusion periods for any condition that falls under this description for up to 12 months.

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, you know, as a consumer that the company has passed the 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 South Carolina 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, the South Carolina health insurance company can charge you more due to your health.

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.

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 the a good health insurance policy, read our guide to health insurance.

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.