Best Healthcare in South Carolina — 19 resources

About Healthcare for Women

Healthcare for uninsured women is accessible through Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), Title X family planning clinics, Planned Parenthood, free clinics, and Medicaid. FQHCs charge on a sliding scale and provide primary care, prenatal care, dental, and behavioral health — locate via the HRSA health center finder. Title X clinics offer free or low-cost contraception, STI testing, and cervical/breast screenings regardless of insurance. The National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP) provides free screenings to low-income, uninsured women. Medicaid covers pregnancy in all 50 states up to at least 138% FPL. This directory includes FQHCs, Title X clinics, free clinics, and state Medicaid offices.

Healthcare in South Carolina

South Carolina family courts handle divorce, custody, and support in each of its 16 judicial circuits. The Child Support Services Division operates under the Department of Social Services. Charleston, Columbia, North Charleston, and Mount Pleasant are the largest cities. South Carolina Legal Services and the South Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault (SCCADVASA) serve women.

19 Resources

1. Healthy Connections (SC Medicaid) — Free

Healthy Connections at 1801 Main Street in Columbia is SC's Medicaid program covering low-income women, pregnant women up to 199% of poverty, and children. Pregnancy coverage continues 60 days postpartum (some states extend; check current SC policy). Phone 888-549-0820 Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm.

888-549-0820 · 1801 Main St, Columbia, SC 29201 · Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm · Visit Website

2. HealthCare.gov — SC Marketplace — Free

South Carolina uses the federal HealthCare.gov marketplace for ACA plans. Many low-income mothers qualify for premium tax credits and cost-sharing reductions. Open enrollment Nov 1-Jan 15. Phone 800-318-2596 24/7. Free to apply.

800-318-2596 · Online Application · Online 24/7 · Visit Website

3. SC Best Chance Network — Cancer Screenings — Free

Best Chance Network provides free breast and cervical cancer screenings (mammograms, Pap tests, follow-up) for uninsured and underinsured women 30-64 in SC. Sites operate through health departments and partner clinics statewide. Call ACS at 800-227-2345 to find your nearest BCN provider.

800-227-2345 · Statewide Locations · Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm

4. Planned Parenthood — South Carolina

Planned Parenthood South Atlantic operates clinics in Columbia and Charleston offering contraception, STI testing, well-woman exams, and gender-affirming care on a sliding-fee scale. Medicaid and most insurance accepted. Phone 800-230-7526 to schedule.

800-230-7526 · Multiple SC locations · Varies by location · Visit Website

5. Eau Claire Cooperative Health Center — Columbia

Eau Claire Cooperative at 3451 Harden Street Extension in Columbia is the FQHC for the Midlands, providing primary care, women's health, dental, and behavioral health on a sliding-fee scale. Pediatric and prenatal care included. Phone 803-360-5350 Mon-Fri 8am-5pm.

803-360-5350 · 3451 Harden St Extension, Columbia, SC 29203 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

6. MUSC Health — Women's Health

MUSC Health at 171 Ashley Avenue in Charleston is SC's only academic medical center, with a comprehensive Women's Health Center covering OB/GYN, maternal-fetal medicine, gynecologic oncology, and breast imaging. Phone 843-792-1414 Mon-Fri 8am-5pm. Financial assistance for uninsured.

843-792-1414 · 171 Ashley Ave, Charleston, SC 29425 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

7. Fetter Health Care Network — Charleston

Fetter Health Care Network at 59 Brigade Street in Charleston is an FQHC providing primary care, women's health, dental, and behavioral health on a sliding-fee scale. Multiple sites across the Lowcountry. Phone 843-722-4112 Mon-Fri 8am-5pm.

843-722-4112 · 59 Brigade St, Charleston, SC 29403 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm

8. SC DHEC — Family Planning — Free

SC DHEC's Family Planning Program operates through county health departments providing women with low-cost contraception, STI testing, breast and cervical screening, and prenatal referrals. Phone 803-898-3432 Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm to find your county clinic.

803-898-3432 · Statewide Locations · Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm

9. Little River Medical Center — Horry County

Little River Medical Center at 4303 Live Oak Drive in Little River is the Grand Strand's FQHC, with women's health services, prenatal care, behavioral health, and dental for low-income Horry County women. Sliding-fee scale. Phone 843-663-8090 Mon-Fri 8am-5pm.

843-663-8090 · 4303 Live Oak Dr, Little River, SC 29566 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

10. HealthCare.gov — Free

HealthCare.gov is the federal Marketplace South Carolina uses for ACA plans. Apply during open enrollment (Nov 1-Jan 15) or special enrollment after qualifying life events (job loss, birth, marriage). Free to apply.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

11. Medicaid.gov — Free

Medicaid.gov is the federal CMS site explaining what SC Healthy Connections covers, how the Pregnant Woman category works, and what postpartum extensions are available. Useful for understanding your federal rights as a Medicaid-enrolled mother. Free.

Nationwide · Online

12. HRSA — Find a Health Center — Free

FindAHealthCenter.hrsa.gov locates every FQHC in South Carolina — Eau Claire, Fetter, Little River, and dozens more — offering sliding-fee scales regardless of immigration status. Free locator.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

13. Planned Parenthood — Free

PlannedParenthood.org links to the national network including SC's clinics. Online appointments, telehealth contraception, plus extensive sexual-health education. Free to access information; services billed.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

14. Office on Women's Health (OWH) — Free

WomensHealth.gov is HHS's consumer portal on women's health. The helpline 1-800-994-9662 (Mon-Fri 9am-6pm ET) answers questions on everything from breastfeeding to menopause. Plain-language fact sheets in English and Spanish. Free.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

15. CDC Women's Health — Free

CDC.gov/women curates evidence-based resources on women's health — cardiovascular disease, reproductive health, cancer prevention, and mental health. Useful for understanding screening recommendations by age. Free.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

16. Susan G. Komen — Free

Komen.org runs the 1-877-GO-KOMEN helpline with breast cancer patient navigation, treatment financial-assistance grants, and screening referrals. The SC affiliate funds free mammograms for uninsured women. Free helpline.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

17. American Cancer Society — Free

Cancer.org runs the 24/7 helpline at 1-800-227-2345 with free patient navigation, transportation (Road to Recovery), lodging (Hope Lodge), and support groups. Useful for SC women newly diagnosed with breast, cervical, or ovarian cancer.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

18. March of Dimes — Free

March of Dimes at marchofdimes.org publishes evidence-based pregnancy education, NICU family support, and advocacy on maternal-infant health disparities — particularly attentive to outcomes for Black mothers, important given SC's racial disparities in maternal mortality. Free.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

19. National Black Women's Health Imperative — Free

BWHI at bwhi.org centers the health and policy needs of Black women, with reports on maternal mortality, mental health, and reproductive justice. Their advocacy moves federal and state policy on the Black maternal health crisis. Free.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

Frequently Asked

How many healthcare resources are in South Carolina?
Women's Corner tracks 19 healthcare resources for women in South Carolina.
Are healthcare resources in South Carolina free?
14 of the 19 listed healthcare resources in South Carolina are explicitly free or low-cost.
Which cities in South Carolina have healthcare resources?
Listings span cities including Columbia, Charleston, Little River.
What are some examples of healthcare resources in South Carolina?
Featured entries include Healthy Connections (SC Medicaid), HealthCare.gov — SC Marketplace, SC Best Chance Network — Cancer Screenings, Planned Parenthood — South Carolina, Eau Claire Cooperative Health Center — Columbia.
Do these listings include phone numbers?
9 of 19 South Carolina healthcare listings include phone numbers.
What if I don't have insurance?
Apply for Medicaid at Healthcare.gov or your state Medicaid office — pregnant women, parents, and low-income adults qualify in expansion states. While waiting, Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) charge sliding-scale based on income for full primary, dental, mental health, and women's health care. Find one at FindAHealthCenter.hrsa.gov.
Where do I get free women's health care?
Planned Parenthood and FQHCs provide free or sliding-scale Pap smears, mammogram referrals, birth control, STI testing, and prenatal care. The CDC's National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program funds free screenings in every state — call 1-800-CDC-INFO. Title X clinics offer confidential family planning regardless of income or insurance.
What if I'm pregnant and uninsured?
Apply for pregnancy Medicaid immediately at your state Medicaid office or Healthcare.gov — pregnant women have higher income limits than regular Medicaid (up to 200% FPL in most states) and coverage starts retroactively. WIC enrollment also opens additional referrals. Most states have extended postpartum Medicaid coverage to 12 months after birth.
Can I get free birth control?
Yes. Most insurance (including Medicaid) covers all FDA-approved birth control at $0 under the ACA. Without insurance, Title X clinics and Planned Parenthood provide free or sliding-scale contraception including IUDs, implants, pills, and emergency contraception. Bedsider.org's clinic finder shows free/low-cost options near you.