Nov. 6, 2025

If you do not get health insurance through your job, or through Medicare or Medicaid, you can purchase it through the Health Insurance Marketplace. Marketplace plans are available for anyone 64 or younger. 

Here is what you need to know about open enrollment to find the right plan for you. 

When does it start? 

Open enrollment for health insurance starts Nov. 1. It ends Jan. 15. 

Key dates to know: 

• Enroll by Dec. 15 for coverage to start Jan. 1. 
• Enroll by Jan. 15 for coverage to start Feb. 1. 

Do I have to enroll now? 

As a rule, you can enroll in a plan only during open enrollment. There are special enrollment periods* that allow you to enroll when you have a qualifying life event, such as a change in job or financial situation. 

If I already have a plan, do I need to reenroll? 

Yes, you do. And it could be helpful to make sure the plan you have is still the right plan for you. A lot can change in a year. 

What is health insurance? 

Health insurance gives people peace of mind when it comes to medical expenses such as doctor visits, procedures and prescriptions. Your health is everything. It is important to make sure you and your family are covered. 

Why do I need health insurance?

It's important to have insurance. It protects you from unexpected high medical costs. Accidents and unexpected symptoms happen every day. Health problems can be expensive. Having health insurance can help with this cost. 

Having health insurance is all about wellness. It’s about being able to visit a doctor to get your health checked and, if necessary, get medication. 

How do I pick a plan? 

Start by thinking about your health care needs for next year. If you are a generally healthy person who only needs basic or preventive care, certain plans may be better suited for you. If you need specialized care, another plan may be better.

Ask yourself some questions to help as you consider your plan options. 

Consider types of care: 

• Think about how often you see a doctor. 
• Consider the kinds of doctors you usually see. 
• Primary care visits and specialists can have different costs.

Think about medications: 

• Consider the types of medications you take regularly. 
• You can’t predict all the medications you may need to take for unexpected health issues. 
• If you take any medications regularly, make sure you understand how those medications would be covered under any plan. 

Can I afford health insurance?

We have options for every need and budget. BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina has plans for everyone. 

Many people may qualify for financial assistance to help lower the cost of their plan. Subsidies or premium tax credits* let you get coverage at reduced or no cost if your income is below certain levels. 

These tax credits will make your premium lower. The premium* is the amount you pay each month for insurance. Some of these savings may also be applied to your deductible or copayment.

You can use this tool* at www.HealthCare.gov* to find out what savings you may qualify for.

What do all these words mean? 

We get it. Health insurance has a language of its own. And it can get complicated. Taking the time to understand some of the basics can go a long way. 

Knowing the difference between a premium* and a deductible* is key to choosing the right plan for your health care and your wallet. 

For example, low-premium plans usually come with a higher deductible. A deductible is the amount you have to pay out of pocket before your insurance begins splitting the bill with you:

• Do you want to pay less each month, or each paycheck, and pay more when you need health care? A high-deductible plan might be a good option for you. 
• Do you want to pay a high monthly payment to have lower costs when receiving care and filling prescriptions? If you visit doctors frequently or take medications regularly, a plan with a high premium but a low deductible may be better. 

Another important thing to understand is the network for each plan. A health care network includes the doctors, dentists and other health care offices your health insurance plan has a contract with to offer a lower rate for members of that plan. Visiting doctors and providers who are in network saves you money. 

Find more on the language of health insurance with the Know the Lingo video series*. 

Why should I choose a BlueCross plan? 

We offer a range of plans to fit individual needs. There are many benefits to buying a BlueCross plan. 

Just to name a few of those, a BlueCross plan offers: 

• A large network of doctors and hospitals. 
• No-cost preventive services. 
• Rewards for wellness activities to maintain your health. 
• Premiums as low as $0 per month based on eligibility. 
• An online tool to help you manage your plan. 
• Award-winning customer service. 

Our plans are backed by the power of BlueCross, which has served South Carolina for more than 75 years. We are trusted by more than 1 million South Carolinians. 

Where can I find help? 

Our local health insurance advisers can walk you through your options this open enrollment. These experts can talk to you about individual plan options — the premiums, the deductible and the copays* — and how each plan would cover you. 

Call us at 855-244-3694 , or find information on our website that will help you pick a plan. 

We also have  South Carolina BLUE℠ Retail Center locations in Columbia, Charleston, Greenville and Myrtle Beach where you can get help with the process. 

Do I need an appointment? 

We recommend an appointment at our retail stores. But we welcome walk-ins. We also have phone appointments. 

Come to your appointment with information to discuss your options. You will need: 

• The number of people in your household. 
• The amount of your household income. 
• Any health changes or prescriptions that may affect your needs.

Anything else I should know? 

Make sure you enter up-to-date contact information on your enrollment application. This helps BlueCross reach you with important plan updates and information.

The information sent during enrollment matters. Double-check that it is correct. 

You can see the information we have for you by registering for a My Health Toolkit^® account and viewing your profile. The online portal can help you manage your health care and answer questions you may have.  

*These links lead to third-party websites. Those organizations are solely responsible for the contents and privacy policies on their sites.