Compare 1719 nurse practitioners in Columbia, SC. Check ratings, insurance, and availability.
1,719
Nurse Practitioners
100%
Accepting patients
28%
Most common: APRN
Ranked by Clarity Score, based on profile detail, verification, and patient activity.
Columbia has 1,719 nurse practitioners. The most common credential is APRN (28%). 100% are currently accepting new patients. Practitioners see patients in neighborhoods including Five Points, The Vista (Congaree Vista), Shandon, and Forest Acres.
Nearby hospitals include Prisma Health Richland Hospital, Prisma Health Baptist Hospital, and Lexington Medical Center (nearby). Local training programs run through University of South Carolina School of Medicine and University of South Carolina. Prisma Health is the largest healthcare system in South Carolina, headquartered in the Columbia-Greenville corridor.
The most commonly accepted carriers among Columbia nurse practitioners include unitedhealthcare, medicare, qhp-26065, and molina. 59% accept Medicare.
A visit with an NP is similar to a physician visit. They will take a health history, perform a physical examination, order labs or imaging if needed, diagnose conditions, and prescribe treatment. NPs can refer you to specialists. Appointments are typically 20 to 40 minutes. NPs often spend extra time on patient education, lifestyle counseling, and answering questions. For new patients, expect a comprehensive health history review.
You might see a nurse practitioner for any of the same reasons you would see a primary care doctor: annual wellness exams, acute illness (cold, flu, infections), chronic disease management (diabetes, hypertension, asthma), mental health concerns, women's health, pediatric care, or geriatric care. NPs are especially common in urgent care clinics, retail clinics, community health centers, and rural areas where physician access is limited. Psychiatric NPs (PMHNPs) prescribe and manage psychiatric medications.
Office visit copay: $20-50 · Annual physical: $0 (covered preventive) · Urgent care NP visit: $30-75 copay · Telehealth visit: $0-50 copay
Columbia, SC has 1,719 licensed nurse practitioners. 100% are currently accepting new patients, so finding an available provider should be straightforward.
Yes. 100% of nurse practitioners in Columbia, SC are currently accepting new patients. You can filter your search on FindClarity to show only providers who are taking new patients.
The most commonly accepted carriers among nurse practitioners in Columbia, SC include unitedhealthcare, medicare, qhp-26065, molina, and qhp-73107. Coverage and in-network status vary by provider, so it is worth confirming directly with the office before scheduling. FindClarity shows accepted insurance for each provider.
An office visit copay is $20 to $50. An annual physical is $0 (covered preventive). An urgent care NP visit copay is $30 to $75. A telehealth visit copay is $0 to $50. Actual costs in Columbia, SC depend on the provider and your insurance plan. NP visits cost the same as physician visits from a patient perspective. Insurance copays do not differ based on provider type. NPs often have better availability for same-day and next-day appointments.
Look for a board-certified provider who accepts your insurance and practices near you. Columbia, SC has 1,719 nurse practitioners. Reading patient reviews and checking hospital affiliations can help narrow your choice. FindClarity lets you compare providers by credentials, insurance, and location.
APRN stands for Advanced Practice Registered Nurse and NP stands for Nurse Practitioner. Both are equivalent qualifications. In Columbia, SC, 28% hold the APRN credential and 27% hold NP. The difference is in training pathway, not quality of care.
59% of nurse practitioners in Columbia, SC accept Medicare. Medicare Part B covers NP visits at 85% of the physician fee schedule. Your copay remains the same as for a physician visit. You can filter for Medicare-accepting providers on FindClarity.
Top accepted carriers in Columbia, SC include unitedhealthcare, medicare, qhp-26065, molina, and qhp-73107.
All insurance plans cover nurse practitioner visits. Copays and cost-sharing are typically the same as physician visits. Medicare reimburses NPs at 85% of the physician fee schedule, but this does not affect your copay. NPs are listed in insurance directories alongside physicians. If you are looking for a primary care provider accepting new patients, NPs often have shorter wait times for new patient appointments.