ACA Open Enrollment 2026: Key Dates and Changes for South Carolina Residents
ACA Open Enrollment for 2026 coverage runs from November 1, 2025 through January 15, 2026 — but the deadline for January 1 coverage is December 15. If you miss that window, your coverage starts February 1 instead. Mark your calendar.
Enhanced Subsidies Continue
The enhanced premium tax credits introduced in 2021 have been extended, meaning more South Carolinians qualify for lower premiums. Households earning above 400% of the federal poverty level — previously shut out of subsidies entirely — can still receive assistance capping premiums at 8.5% of income.
More Carriers, More Options
South Carolina's Marketplace has grown more competitive each year. For 2026, multiple carriers are offering plans statewide, including in Aiken County. More competition means better networks and potentially lower premiums — but it also means you need to compare carefully. Don't just auto-renew without checking if a better plan is available.
What's New for 2026
Standardized plan designs have expanded, making it easier to compare apples-to-apples across carriers. Preventive services remain covered at no cost. And if your income changed — up or down — your subsidy eligibility may have changed too. Always update your application with current income information.
Free Help Is Available
Navigating the Marketplace alone is frustrating. Plans look similar on the surface but differ dramatically in network size, drug formularies, and out-of-pocket maximums. As an independent agency, we help you compare every available plan — not just one company's offerings — and we're paid by the carriers, so our assistance costs you nothing.
Schedule your free ACA review before Open Enrollment ends. The right plan at the wrong price isn't a deal — let's find the right plan at the right price.
