Neither Humana nor Aetna sells 2026 ACA marketplace plans in South Carolina; the insurers that do are Ambetter from Absolute Total Care, BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina, First Choice Next, InStil Health, Molina Healthcare and UnitedHealthcare. The right choice depends on your income, which doctors and hospitals you need in-network, and your prescription medications — not which carrier has the better logo.
2026 marketplace check, South Carolina: Humana – no plans. Aetna – no plans. Source: CMS 2026 marketplace plan files.
Humana has not sold ACA individual marketplace plans since 2018, and it has also exited employer group medical coverage, so it offers neither a 2026 marketplace plan nor a small-business group health plan in South Carolina. Humana remains a major Medicare Advantage insurer.
Aetna (CVS Health) left the ACA individual marketplace in every state at the end of 2025, so there is no Aetna marketplace plan to buy in South Carolina for 2026. Aetna still sells employer group coverage.
| Humana | Aetna | |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 marketplace plans in South Carolina | No | No |
| Parent company | Humana Inc. | CVS Health |
| Plan type | National carrier with Medicare Advantage strength | National carrier with pharmacy integration |
| Known for | strong wellness programs, HumanaFirst digital care tools, dental integration | broad pharmacy integration through CVS, strong customer service scores |
| Watch for | No 2026 marketplace plans in South Carolina | No 2026 marketplace plans in South Carolina |
Humana vs Aetna in South Carolina
In South Carolina, marketplace plans are sold through HealthCare.gov, and neither carrier is on it for 2026. Plan availability, networks, and premiums vary significantly by county and ZIP code across South Carolina — what is available in Columbia, Greenville, and Charleston is not necessarily available in smaller or rural parts of the state.
The most important thing to understand about comparing any two marketplace carriers: premium is not the same as cost. A plan with a lower monthly premium may have a higher deductible, narrower network, or worse formulary coverage for your medications — resulting in higher total annual spending than a plan that cost more per month.
About Humana in South Carolina
Humana is one of the largest Medicare Advantage carriers nationally. Humana has not sold ACA individual marketplace plans since 2018, and it has also exited employer group medical coverage, so it offers neither a 2026 marketplace plan nor a small-business group health plan in South Carolina. Humana remains a major Medicare Advantage insurer.
Prescriptions: Humana plans include RightSource pharmacy for mail-order prescriptions. Check formulary coverage for your specific medications.
Best for: Not an option on the South Carolina marketplace in 2026. Enter your ZIP code below and Daniel will compare the insurers that are.
About Aetna in South Carolina
Aetna is backed by CVS Health, which also operates prescription benefit management (Caremark) and retail pharmacy. Aetna (CVS Health) left the ACA individual marketplace in every state at the end of 2025, so there is no Aetna marketplace plan to buy in South Carolina for 2026. Aetna still sells employer group coverage. Aetna's CVS Health integration gives members access to MinuteClinic locations for routine care.
Prescriptions: Aetna plans often feature preferred pricing for CVS pharmacy locations. Check if your prescriptions are on the Aetna formulary at an acceptable tier.
Best for: Not an option on the South Carolina marketplace in 2026. Enter your ZIP code below and Daniel will compare the insurers that are.
How to Choose Between the Two
Neither carrier sells 2026 marketplace plans in South Carolina, so compare the insurers that do: Ambetter from Absolute Total Care, BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina, First Choice Next, InStil Health, Molina Healthcare and UnitedHealthcare. Compare their after-subsidy premiums, network coverage for your specific doctors, and formulary coverage for your prescriptions before deciding.
If you qualify for ACA subsidies: Compare after-subsidy costs: the cheaper-looking plan before subsidies may not be cheapest after your premium tax credit is applied.
If you are paying full unsubsidized cost: At full unsubsidized cost, total annual cost (premium + expected out-of-pocket) determines value. Consider deductible, OOP max, and network breadth.
What to Check Before You Choose
Before selecting either plan, do these four checks using each carrier’s provider directory and formulary tool:
- Doctor check: Search for your primary care physician and any specialists you see regularly in each carrier’s South Carolina provider directory. Networks can be narrow, and a doctor who is in-network with one carrier may not be with the other.
- Hospital check: Confirm the hospital you would go to for a planned procedure or emergency is in-network. Hospital network participation differs from physician network participation.
- Drug formulary check: Look up every prescription you take in the formulary for each plan you are considering. Note the tier and the cost-sharing for each. Small formulary differences can result in hundreds of dollars in annual cost difference.
- After-subsidy premium: If you qualify for a premium tax credit, enter your income and household size at the federal marketplace (healthcare.gov) to see the after-subsidy premium for each plan. The after-subsidy number is what you actually pay.
This state has NOT expanded Medicaid. Buyers below the federal poverty level (~$15,650/year for one adult) may fall into the coverage gap with no affordable option unless they qualify for CHIP or other programs.
An independent broker completes all four checks at no cost to you. Call (713) 575-9904 for a free Humana vs Aetna comparison for your South Carolina ZIP code.