I can still arrange a nationwide PPO for you in South Carolina. If you're contracting around Aiken or North Augusta and your customers or physicians are across the Savannah River in Georgia, let's compare your coverage choices.
Hi, I'm Sam. I hold health insurance broker licenses in 36 states, and a large part of my work is helping people who earn 1099 income. South Carolina contractors can arrange their coverage with me entirely by phone.
Imagine an environmental and safety consultant living in North Augusta, Aiken County. He has several contract clients, including companies around the Savannah River Site and businesses across the bridge in Augusta, Georgia. His regular physician, dentist and preferred urgent care are all in Georgia, only ten minutes from home. He worked as an employee of a small engineering company until last spring, but now he's contracting for himself. As a South Carolina resident, he looks for coverage through HealthCare.gov.
Aiken County residents can choose from 43 individual medical plans offered by three insurers in 2026. The selection includes 21 HMOs, 13 EPOs and 9 PPOs. Compared with much of South Carolina, the PPO price difference here is smaller. For a 40-year-old before subsidies, the lowest-priced silver PPO is 22% above the lowest-priced silver HMO, but only 10% above the HMO offered by that same PPO insurer.
I can also help you purchase a private nationwide PPO in South Carolina. Its price depends on your health, and the network treats participating Augusta doctors just like those in Aiken.
HMOs and EPOs usually cover treatment outside their networks only for emergencies. PPOs can pay toward other out-of-network care, but you'll be responsible for a larger portion. If you live in South Carolina and regularly visit Augusta physicians, start by checking whether your doctor and preferred urgent care participate. I'd settle the network question before comparing prices.
HealthCare.gov asks for your projected net self-employment earnings for the coverage year. Subtract business expenses such as transportation, field tools, protective gear, software and insurance from your 1099 income. If you begin or lose a contract, revise the estimate promptly.
South Carolina hasn't adopted Medicaid expansion, which creates a different situation for low-income contractors. KFF reports a 67% poverty-level limit for parents, while adults without children generally aren't eligible. Marketplace credits usually begin at 100% of the poverty level. That leaves a potential coverage gap when contracts disappear, so estimating a slow year's income carefully matters.
If you worked for a company with fewer than 20 employees, South Carolina law might allow you to continue its group insurance through the remainder of the policy month and another six months. You must have been covered for at least six months and pay the entire premium. Losing employer coverage also creates a special marketplace enrollment opportunity. I'd compare both routes before deciding.
Next step: Get in touch before your final day with the company. We'll compare the cost of keeping your current coverage with switching plans.
Since premium credits apply only through HealthCare.gov, that's where you'd enroll to use one. In Aiken County, I'd seriously compare the PPO because its price difference is relatively modest. The credit is based on a benchmark silver plan, leaving you to pay the additional 22%. But if the HMOs and EPOs don't include your Augusta physician, the PPO's out-of-network benefits may justify that cost, particularly with the credit reducing your premium.
Next step: Message me your Georgia physicians and net income. I'll compare Aiken County plans, their provider networks and your prices after the credit.
For healthy contractors paying the full premium, private insurance often deserves the first comparison. You'll complete a health questionnaire, after which the carrier may approve you, approve you while excluding a specific condition, or decline coverage. Good health often brings the premium below the marketplace's full price, with a network extending beyond the river. We'll carefully compare the benefits of each plan.
Next step: Call me and I'll compare a nationwide PPO quote with Aiken County's unsubsidized HealthCare.gov premiums.
Straight answers, no sales pitch.
That doctor needs to be in your network, unless you're receiving emergency care.
The lowest-priced silver PPO carries a premium 22% above the lowest-priced silver HMO.
If your company employed fewer than 20 people and you had six months of coverage, state continuation may last through the policy month's end plus six months.
Yes. I can help contractors in good health purchase private nationwide PPO coverage.
Tell me your county, where your doctors and customers are located, and last year's net 1099 earnings after expenses. I'll compare the prices and give you a clear coverage recommendation.
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