What is Medicare Advantage?

Medicare Advantage, also called Medicare Part C, is a way to get your Part A and Part B benefits through a private insurance company approved by Medicare instead of directly from Original Medicare. Most plans also include Part D drug coverage, and many may include extras such as dental, vision and hearing.

Do I still pay Part B?

Yes. You keep paying your Part B premium after you join a Medicare Advantage plan, plus any premium the plan itself charges. The standard Part B premium is $202.90 a month in 2026, and the 2027 amount, projected at about $209.50, is expected to be announced in November.

Is there a yearly cap?

Yes. Every Medicare Advantage plan has a yearly out-of-pocket maximum for covered Part A and Part B services, a protection Original Medicare alone does not have. Once you reach it, the plan pays for covered services for the rest of the year; limits vary by plan, and PPOs usually have a separate, higher combined limit.

When can I enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan for 2027?

You can sign up for a Medicare Advantage plan for 2027 during Annual Enrollment, October 15 to December 7, 2026, and coverage starts January 1, 2027. If you are already in Medicare Advantage, you can make one more change from January 1 to March 31, 2027, and new enrollees can join when they first become eligible.

What happens if my Medicare Advantage plan is ending?

Your plan will send a non-renewal notice, and your coverage continues through December 31, 2026. You can choose a new Medicare Advantage plan during Annual Enrollment or a Special Enrollment Period, and you generally have a guaranteed issue right to buy certain Medigap plans if you would rather switch to Original Medicare.

What is the difference between an HMO, PPO and SNP?

An HMO usually requires you to use in-network doctors and often needs referrals, while a PPO also covers out-of-network care at a higher cost. A Special Needs Plan, or SNP, is limited to people with certain chronic conditions, Medicaid eligibility or institutional care, and its benefits are tailored to those needs.

How much do Medicare Advantage plans cost in 2027?

CMS projects the average Medicare Advantage premium will be $12 a month in 2027, down from $14.37 in 2026, and you still pay your Part B premium on top of that. Your real costs also include copays, coinsurance and the plan's out-of-pocket maximum, so compare total yearly costs, not just the premium.

What is changing in Medicare Advantage for 2027?

The national average Medicare Advantage premium drops to $12 for 2027, from $14.37 in 2026, but the bigger story is retrenchment. Several large insurers are cutting PPO plans and leaving counties, so even if your premium looks stable, check your Annual Notice of Change for network and benefit changes.

How many people are in Medicare Advantage in 2027?

CMS projects about 34 million people will be enrolled in Medicare Advantage in 2027, roughly 47% of everyone with Medicare. They can choose from about 5,532 plans nationwide, slightly fewer than the 5,553 offered in 2026.

Which insurer is growing?

Devoted Health is one of the clearest growth stories for 2027, adding 342 counties and entering Connecticut, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey and New York. Expansion does not guarantee a plan in your area, so confirm availability and your doctors in Medicare Plan Finder.

When can I enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan for 2027?

Enrollment for 2027 opens October 15 and closes December 7, 2026, and your chosen plan starts January 1, 2027. People already in Medicare Advantage also get a second chance from January 1 to March 31, 2027, when they can make one switch to another plan or return to Original Medicare.

What happens if my Medicare Advantage plan is ending?

The insurer will mail you a non-renewal notice, and your plan keeps covering you through December 31, 2026. You can then pick a different plan during Annual Enrollment or a Special Enrollment Period, and you generally have a guaranteed issue right to buy certain Medigap plans, typically within 63 days after coverage ends.

Will my Medicare Advantage premium go up in 2027?

For most people, probably not. CMS says about 8 in 10 Medicare Advantage members can keep their current plan at the same or a lower premium in 2027. You still pay your Part B premium, and copays, networks or drug coverage may change even when the premium does not.

What benefits do 2027 Medicare Advantage plans include?

Every plan covers what Original Medicare covers, and most include Part D drug coverage. Extras may include dental, vision, hearing, over-the-counter allowances or fitness benefits, but not all plans offer all benefits and amounts vary. Check each plan's Summary of Benefits for your county before deciding.

Medicare Advantage Plans South Carolina 2027

Reviewed by Russell Noga, Licensed Medicare Insurance Broker (all 50 states) | Last updated October 8, 2026

South Carolina Medicare Advantage members face one major change for 2027: Anthem, owned by Elevance, is leaving South Carolina Medicare Advantage. Other insurers continue, and plan choices vary by county.

If you are in an Anthem Medicare Advantage plan in South Carolina, you will get a non-renewal letter and must choose new coverage by December 31, 2026.

See best Medicare Advantage plans South Carolina.

✔ Licensed across all 50 states
✔ Built on CMS 2027 data
✔ No-cost plan comparison

Key Highlights

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Anthem exits South Carolina.

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Anthem members get a Special Enrollment Period.

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Guaranteed issue Medigap rights apply.

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Nationally, the average 2027 Medicare Advantage premium is $12 a month, down from $14.37 (CMS).

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The Annual Enrollment Period is October 15 to December 7, 2026.

Compare plans and enroll online

Medicare Options in South Carolina

Key Takeaway

Which Medicare Advantage plans you can pick depends on your county. Medigap and Part D plans are sold statewide.

Feature	HMO	PPO
Out-of-network care	Not covered except emergencies and urgent care	Covered at a higher cost
Referrals for specialists	Usually required	Usually not required
Premiums	Usually lower	Usually higher
Out-of-pocket maximum	In-network limit	In-network limit plus a higher combined limit
Best for	Lower costs, local care	Flexibility, travel, keeping specific doctors

Benefits South Carolina Plans May Offer

South Carolina Plans May Include

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Hospital and medical coverage matching Original Medicare Part A and B

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Part D prescription drug coverage on most plans

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Routine dental, vision and hearing benefits

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Fitness programs and over-the-counter allowances

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Telehealth visits and care coordination programs

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A yearly out-of-pocket maximum on every plan

Benefits are not offered by every plan. They differ by plan and county and may change for 2027. Review the Evidence of Coverage for each plan before enrolling.

Understanding South Carolina Medicare Advantage Plans 2026

South Carolina Changes for 2027

Nationally, large insurers are trimming PPOs and pulling plans from some counties for 2027. In South Carolina, read your Annual Notice of Change, and if you received a non-renewal letter, choose a new plan before December 31, 2026.

Insurer	Key 2027 Changes
UnitedHealthcare	852 plans (846 last year); about 140 counties lose standard plans; exiting Wyoming; 34 PPOs eliminated
Humana	861 plans, compared with 887; exiting Minnesota and 57 counties; 37 PPOs eliminated; about 600,000 members losing their plans
Aetna (CVS Health)	654 plans (compared with 642); standard plans withdrawn from 123 counties; exiting Maryland and New Hampshire; 20 PPOs eliminated; 29 C-SNPs introduced
HCSC (including HealthSpring)	Down from 948 counties to roughly 478; exiting CT, KS, MT, NY, OR, UT and D.C.; 48 PPOs dropped
Centene (Wellcare)	Standard plans removed from 344 counties; exiting Hawaii, Oklahoma and Tennessee
Elevance (Anthem)	Standard plans removed from 56 counties; exiting South Carolina
Devoted Health	Entering CT, MI, NH, NJ and NY; adding 342 counties

Source: company announcements and CMS 2027 landscape data reported by Becker’s on October 1, 2026. For 2027, Wellmark, Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Mississippi are exiting Medicare Advantage as well.

Find & Compare Plans Online

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Anthem's South Carolina Exit

What Anthem Members Should Do

Read your non-renewal letter. It confirms your Anthem plan ends December 31, 2026.

Compare remaining plans. National insurers such as UnitedHealthcare, Humana and Aetna may serve your county; confirm by ZIP.

Check your doctors. Make sure they are in the new plan’s network.

Consider Medigap. You generally can buy certain Medigap plans without health questions.

Enroll by December 31, 2026. Enroll by December 7 to avoid a gap.

Guaranteed issue: when your Medicare Advantage plan exits your area, you can generally purchase certain Medicare Supplement plans with no health questions asked, up until 63 days after that coverage ends.

National Insurer Changes That Reach South Carolina

2027 Change	UnitedHealthcare	Aetna
Total plans	852 (up from 846)	654 (up from 642)
PPO plans cut	34	20
Special Needs Plans added	40	29 C-SNPs
Counties losing standard plans	About 140	123
State exits	Wyoming	Maryland, New Hampshire

Source: CMS 2027 landscape data, as reported by Becker’s on October 1, 2026.

Humana 2027 Change	Detail
Total plans	861 (down from 887)
PPO plans cut	37
Counties losing plans	57
State exit	Minnesota
Members whose plans end	About 600,000

Source: Humana and CMS 2027 landscape data reported by Becker’s, October 1, 2026.

HMO plans

Medicare Advantage in South Carolina

Medicare Advantage, sometimes called Part C, lets you receive your Medicare benefits through a Medicare-approved private insurer. These plans cover everything Original Medicare Part A and Part B cover, with the exception of hospice care, which Original Medicare continues to pay for. Most also bundle Part D drug coverage, and many may tack on extras like routine dental, vision and hearing benefits.

The trade-off is that Medicare Advantage plans generally rely on doctor and hospital networks and may call for referrals or prior authorization for certain services. Each Medicare Advantage plan sets a yearly out-of-pocket maximum for covered medical care, something Original Medicare lacks. You still pay your Part B premium, along with the plan’s premium if there is one.

Advantages

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Often a low or $0 premium

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A yearly out-of-pocket maximum

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Drug coverage usually included

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Dental, vision and hearing benefits may be included in many plans

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One card and one plan

Tradeoffs

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Networks; except for emergencies, HMOs require in-network care

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Prior authorization and referrals are common

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Copays add up if you use a lot of care

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Plans and networks can change every year

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Moving to Medigap later may involve health questions

Medicare Supplement Plans in South Carolina

If Original Medicare is your preference, a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan covers some or all of what Medicare leaves unpaid and lets you use any U.S. provider that accepts Medicare. Since benefits are standardized by plan letter, compare what insurers charge for the same letter.

Plan	What You Pay	Best For
Plan G	The Part B deductible; once it’s met, Medicare-approved costs are covered	Most complete coverage for new enrollees
Plan N	Part B deductible, Part B excess charges, and copays of up to $20 for some office visits and up to $50 for some ER visits	Lower premium, accepts small copays
High-Deductible Plan G	A yearly deductible, then coverage like Plan G	Healthy people who want the lowest premium

Plan letter determines Medigap benefits, which are standardized. Prices differ by insurer, age, ZIP code and tobacco use.

Be aware: once your six-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period has passed, and without a guaranteed issue right, insurers in most states may ask health questions and turn you down or charge you more.

Part D Drug Plans in South Carolina

$700

Maximum 2027 Part D deductible, up from $615.

$2,400

2027 Part D out-of-pocket cap, up from $2,100.

About $36

CMS average standalone Part D premium for 2027, an increase of under $1.

Projected 2027 average for the drug portion of a Medicare Advantage premium, a decrease from $11.32.

If you keep Original Medicare in South Carolina, add a standalone Part D plan. Compare plans with your exact drugs and pharmacies using the 2027 Part D plan finder.

If Your Plan Is Ending

A non-renewal notice should have reached you in early October if your plan won’t be available in your county for 2027. Coverage doesn’t end immediately; it runs through December 31, 2026, which gives you time to decide.

If Your Plan Is Ending

Review your non-renewal letter. It verifies that your plan is ending and lays out your choices.

Write down your doctors and drugs. Comparing replacement plans requires them.

Compare your 2027 plan choices. Look at networks, drug coverage and the out-of-pocket maximum, not only the premium.

Pick a plan by December 31 to avoid a gap. If you enroll during Annual Enrollment by December 7, your coverage starts January 1, 2027.

Rely on your Special Enrollment Period if necessary. If your plan is ending, you generally have until the end of February 2027 to make a choice.

If you take no action: on January 1, 2027, you go back to Original Medicare, and you will have no drug coverage unless you pick a Part D plan. Being without drug coverage may result in a late enrollment penalty.

Medigap rights: if your Medicare Advantage plan exits your area, you generally get a guaranteed issue right, lasting up to 63 days after your coverage ends, to purchase certain Medicare Supplement plans with no health questions.

How to Compare South Carolina Plans for 2027

How to Compare

Review your Annual Notice of Change. It spells out every 2027 change to the plan you have now.

Verify your doctors and hospitals. Make sure every provider is in the 2027 network, not only the 2026 network.

Review your prescriptions. Verify every drug, the tier it falls on and any step therapy or prior authorization rules.

Look at the full annual cost. Total up the premium, usual copays and drug costs, and review the out-of-pocket maximum.

Look at star ratings. Medicare scores plans on quality and service using a 1 to 5 star scale.

Sign up by December 7. Coverage under your new plan begins January 1, 2027.

2027 Enrollment Dates

Enrollment Period	Dates	What You Can Do
Annual Enrollment Period	October 15 to December 7, 2026	Join, change or drop a Medicare Advantage or Part D plan effective January 1, 2027
Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment	January 1 to March 31, 2027	In Medicare Advantage, you can change to another plan or go back to Original Medicare one time
Initial Enrollment Period	7 months around your 65th birthday month	Sign up for Medicare and choose your first plan
Special Enrollment Periods	Varies	Switch plans after events such as a move, a loss of other coverage or your plan exiting your area

Annual Enrollment is when most people make changes. If you like your current plan, no action is needed; it renews on its own. Even so, review your Annual Notice of Change, since networks, premiums, copays and drug lists can all change on January 1.

Special Needs Plans

Special Needs Plans (SNPs) are Medicare Advantage plans designed for particular groups. Their benefits, networks and drug lists are shaped around the members they serve, and many come with care coordinators. In 2027, SNPs are one of the few places large insurers are adding plans, even while cutting PPOs.

Type	Who Qualifies	What Is Different
Dual Special Needs Plan (D-SNP)	People with both Medicare and Medicaid	Coordinates both programs; costs are often very low, with extra benefits
Chronic Condition SNP (C-SNP)	People who have qualifying conditions like diabetes, heart failure or chronic lung disease	Doctors, drugs and programs designed around the condition
Institutional SNP (I-SNP)	People who live in a nursing home or need that level of care at home	Care delivered where the member lives

Turning 65 in 2027

When you turn 65 in 2027, you get a seven-month Initial Enrollment Period: the three months before your birthday month, the birthday month itself and the three months that follow. If you sign up in the first three months, coverage begins on the first day of your birthday month.

Turning 65 Checklist

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Enroll in Part A and Part B, unless you have qualifying employer coverage and decide to postpone Part B

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Choose between Medicare Advantage and Original Medicare plus Medigap

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Enroll in a drug plan, or a Medicare Advantage plan that includes drugs, to avoid a late Part D penalty

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If you go with Medigap, purchase during your six-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period

Help Paying Medicare Costs

When your income and savings are limited, two programs can greatly lower your Medicare costs:

Medicare Savings Programs

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Run by your state Medicaid office

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May cover your Part B premium, and in some cases deductibles and coinsurance

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Income and asset limits vary by state

Extra Help (Part D)

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Run by Social Security

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Lowers Part D premiums, deductibles and copays

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Those enrolled in a Medicare Savings Program qualify automatically

If you qualify for both Medicare and full Medicaid, you may also be able to join a Dual Special Needs Plan. See help for low-income Part D beneficiaries.

Free Medicare Help in South Carolina

South Carolina’s State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) offers free, unbiased Medicare counseling in South Carolina. You can also call 1-800-MEDICARE any time or compare plans with a licensed agent at no cost.

Free Help Comparing Plans

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Available any time: Medicare Plan Finder on Medicare.gov

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1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227), reachable 24 hours a day on all seven days of the week

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Your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), which provides free, unbiased counseling

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A licensed agent or insurance broker, who can compare plans across several insurers for free

Gather your Medicare card, a list of your drugs and doses, your doctors and your preferred pharmacies before you call. That way a long conversation becomes a quick one.

Bottom Line

The Bottom Line

South Carolina offers Medicare Advantage, Medigap and Part D choices for 2027. Compare plans in your county and enroll during Annual Enrollment, October 15 to December 7, 2026.

Compare plans and enroll online

Frequently Asked Questions

➤ Is Anthem leaving South Carolina Medicare Advantage?

Yes. Elevance, which owns Anthem, is exiting South Carolina Medicare Advantage for 2027. Anthem members get a non-renewal letter, keep coverage through December 31, 2026, and must choose new coverage, either another Medicare Advantage plan or Original Medicare with Medigap and Part D.

➤ What should Anthem members in South Carolina do?

Compare the plans still offered in your county and enroll by December 7, 2026 to avoid a gap. You also generally have a guaranteed issue right to buy certain Medigap plans without health questions. Bring your drug list and doctors when you compare plans.

➤ What happens if I do nothing after my Anthem plan ends?

You return to Original Medicare on January 1, 2027, without drug coverage. That can leave you with large gaps and a possible Part D late penalty, so choose a new plan before your coverage ends.

➤ Which insurers still offer plans in South Carolina?

National insurers such as UnitedHealthcare, Humana and Aetna may offer plans in your county, but availability varies. Enter your ZIP code in Medicare Plan Finder or ask a licensed broker to see the plans that serve you.

➤ Is UnitedHealthcare or Humana changing in South Carolina?

We found no verified South Carolina-specific change for either insurer. Nationally UnitedHealthcare cuts 34 PPOs and Humana cuts 37, so read your Annual Notice of Change to see whether your plan changes. Watch your mail for a non-renewal letter, which plans send if they are ending.

➤ Can I switch to Medigap if my Anthem plan ends?

Yes, in most cases. When a Medicare Advantage plan leaves your area, you generally can buy certain Medigap plans without health questions, usually until 63 days after coverage ends. Add a Part D plan for drugs.

➤ What is the average Medicare Advantage premium in 2027?

The national average is $12 a month, down from $14.37. We do not have a verified South Carolina average, so compare the actual premiums, copays and drug costs of plans in your county. About 8 in 10 members nationally can keep their plan at the same or a lower premium.

➤ Do South Carolina plans include dental and vision?

Many may, but not all plans offer all benefits. Dental, vision and hearing benefits vary by plan and county, so check each plan’s Evidence of Coverage before enrolling. Original Medicare does not cover routine dental or vision, so these extras matter to many people.

➤ When is Annual Enrollment for 2027?

Annual Enrollment runs October 15 to December 7, 2026, with coverage starting January 1, 2027. Medicare Advantage members can also make one change from January 1 to March 31, 2027. Anthem members in South Carolina also get a Special Enrollment Period because their plan is ending.

➤ Where can I get free Medicare help in South Carolina?

South Carolina’s State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) offers free, unbiased counseling. You can also call 1-800-MEDICARE, use Medicare Plan Finder or work with a licensed broker at no cost. Have your drug list and doctors ready before you call.

Have Questions?

Speak with a licensed insurance agent

1-833-641-4938

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Find & Compare Plans Online

Speak with a licensed insurance agent

1-833-641-4938TTY 711

Mon-Fri: 8am-9pm ET

ZRN Health & Financial Services, LLC, a Texas limited liability company

Russell Noga( Medicare Expert )

Russell Noga is the CEO of ZRN Health & Financial Services, and head content editor of several Medicare insurance online publications. He has over 15 years of experience as a licensed Medicare insurance broker helping Medicare beneficiaries learn about Medicare, Medicare Advantage Plans, Medigap insurance, and Medicare Part D prescription drug plans.

that cover doctors & Rx drugs

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Medicare Advantage Plans South Carolina 2027

Key Highlights

Compare plans and enroll online

Medicare Options in South Carolina

Benefits South Carolina Plans May Offer

South Carolina Changes for 2027

Find & Compare Plans Online

Speak with a licensed insurance agent

1-833-641-4938TTY 711

Mon-Fri: 8am-9pm ET

Anthem's South Carolina Exit

National Insurer Changes That Reach South Carolina

Medicare Advantage in South Carolina

Medicare Supplement Plans in South Carolina

Part D Drug Plans in South Carolina

If Your Plan Is Ending

How to Compare South Carolina Plans for 2027

2027 Enrollment Dates

Special Needs Plans

Turning 65 in 2027

Help Paying Medicare Costs

Free Medicare Help in South Carolina

Bottom Line

Compare plans and enroll online

Frequently Asked Questions

➤ Is Anthem leaving South Carolina Medicare Advantage?

➤ What should Anthem members in South Carolina do?

➤ What happens if I do nothing after my Anthem plan ends?

➤ Which insurers still offer plans in South Carolina?

➤ Is UnitedHealthcare or Humana changing in South Carolina?

➤ Can I switch to Medigap if my Anthem plan ends?

➤ What is the average Medicare Advantage premium in 2027?

➤ Do South Carolina plans include dental and vision?

➤ When is Annual Enrollment for 2027?

➤ Where can I get free Medicare help in South Carolina?

Have Questions?

Speak with a licensed insurance agent

1-833-641-4938

TTY users 711

Mon-Fri: 8am-9pm ET

Find & Compare Plans Online

Speak with a licensed insurance agent

1-833-641-4938TTY 711

Mon-Fri: 8am-9pm ET