South Carolina's healthcare system serves approximately 5.3 million residents across a mix of coastal communities, mid-state cities, and rural Upstate counties. The state's flagship academic medical institution is the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) in Charleston, which operates the state's only Level I Trauma Center and is consistently ranked among the top hospitals in the Southeast for cancer care, cardiology, and neuroscience. MUSC Health has expanded its network statewide through partnerships and telehealth programs.
Columbia, the state capital, is served by Prisma Health (formerly Palmetto Health and Greenville Health System), the largest healthcare organization in South Carolina, with hospitals in Columbia, Greenville, and surrounding communities. Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System and AnMed Health serve the Upstate region.
South Carolina has not expanded Medicaid under the ACA as of 2025. The state Medicaid program, administered by the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS) (scdhhs.gov), covers low-income children, pregnant women, and people with disabilities. The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) (scdhec.gov) oversees public health programs and facility licensing.
Rural access remains a significant challenge, particularly in the Pee Dee and Lowcountry regions. The state has invested in telehealth infrastructure and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) to extend care to underserved populations. The South Carolina Board of Medical Examiners (llr.sc.gov/med) handles physician licensing and verification.