Affordable Health Insurance in North Carolina: Know Your Options

By: Astoria
Updated: September 27, 2022
affordable health insurance in North Carolina

North Carolina has one of the highest enrollment rates in private health insurance under ACA also known as Obamacare. Most of those who signed up for health insurance under the ACA in this state are eligible for government subsidies. Also, there are various options for obtaining North Carolina health insurance. You can join a health insurance plan offered by your employer, buy your own insurance, or, if you qualify, join Medicare or Medicaid. In other cases, including when you get married or have a child, you may still be eligible for coverage. You can sign up for Medicaid anytime if you meet the income requirements.  We have put together a complete guide to affordable health insurance in North Carolina to help you get the coverage you need.

Health Insurance in North Carolina: What You Need to Know

  • Suppose you don’t want to sign up for your employer’s health insurance or don’t like your employer’s coverage. In that case, you can get health insurance via the Marketplace or a North Carolina private insurer.
  • Open Enrollment in NC Marketplace occurs from November 1 to January 15 each year. You’ll need a qualifying event if you want to enroll outside of these dates. You’ll have to wait till the following year if you don’t get your wish.
  • Qualifying events allow you to take advantage of a Special Enrollment Period. You may have to change your health insurance plan when you get married, leave your job, have a baby, or get divorced.
  • North Carolina applies for tax credits to help pay for health care through the Federal Health Insurance Exchange. If you live in North Carolina, you can purchase health insurance directly from an insurance provider in the state. Also, Tax credits are available with several exchange options.
  • Another type of health insurance covers more than 46 percent of North Carolinians. 17.9% of the population has Medicaid, 15.3% have Medicare, 6.7% have non-group private individual or family coverage, and 2.4% have military coverage. At this time, 11.4% of North Carolinians are without health insurance.

NHI HealthCare Quotes offers free health insurance in North Carolina, which matches your requirements with actual plans and benefits consultants. NewHealthInsurance is here to help you find the best insurance options that are out there. Moreover, online enrollment is available, or you may contact us via phone to chat with one of our advisors.

Health Insurance Marketplace in North Carolina

Did you know that 13.6% of more than 10.4 million North Carolinians lack health insurance? NewHealthInsurance will ensure that you are not one of them.

Healthcare does not need to be expensive. NewHealthInsurance can assist you in assessing your needs, locating a suitable plan, and determining if you are eligible for financial aid. Our services are provided without charge. Start looking for a plan immediately!

Options on the North Carolina Health Insurance Market

NewHealthInsurance can assist you in understanding your options and available plans. Consider the following before purchasing a policy:

  • The required level of coverage If you have a chronic ailment or small children, comprehensive coverage may be your best option. Younger, healthier individuals can typically manage with less. Let us assist you in acquiring the appropriate plan for your circumstances.
  • A copayment that you are unwilling to pay. Ensure that you can afford any out-of-pocket expenses associated with a policy. We will assist you in comparing plans to determine which fits your budget best.
  • The deductible is associated with your policy. A large deductible is almost as awful as having no insurance at all. We will assist you in developing a viable approach.
  • Service provider network Want to retain your physician? We will determine which plans involve providers you are currently familiar with and trust.
  • Alternatives to the government exchange New regulations have facilitated the acquisition of plans unavailable on the national exchange.

Shopping for health insurance need not be difficult. We can assist you in navigating the health insurance marketplace in NC. Get free health insurance in North Carolina from NewHealthInsurance.

North Carolina Health Insurance Plans

Having an affordable health care plan in North Carolina depends on your income level and anticipated expenses.

Under the Affordable Care Act, North Carolina has not expanded Medicaid. Medicaid currently does not cover anyone with incomes below the federal poverty limit.

Moreover, North Carolina’s health insurance marketplace is your best option if your salary exceeds this limit. The marketplace offers discounted health insurance premiums for those with low or moderate incomes who qualify for tax subsidies.

The best health insurance plans in North Carolina are categorized into tiers based on premium and out-of-pocket costs.

The best health insurance plan in North Carolina for you will strike a balance between the monthly premium and the possible out-of-pocket expenses for medical care. While the premiums for higher-tier plans are higher, these policies often have lower deductibles, copays, and coinsurance. As a result, you’ll be on the hook for less in the way of medical bills. If you choose a lower-tier plan, you’ll pay less each month but spend more on your medical treatment.

You may utilize the best health insurance in NC to help you figure out which tier level is ideal for your needs.

Those with significant anticipated medical bills should go for gold-level coverage.

If you expect to have a lot of medical bills, you’ll want to look into gold policies.

You’ll spend less per visit to a health care provider despite the higher premiums on these policies because they have lower out-of-pocket charges. Consider the cost of routine prescriptions while selecting the finest Gold health insurance plan.

Silver plans are best for those with average medical bills or modest incomes.

Silver plans provide affordable premiums, deductibles, and co-pays. Also, these plans are better than Bronze and Catastrophic policies for people with ordinary medical requirements. Also, silver plans are great for people who can’t afford a Gold plan but want good insurance.

Moreover, Low-income households may find silver plans most inexpensive due to cost-sharing reductions (CSR). These savings can reduce your healthcare bills.

Those who are young, healthy, and have a modest budget should consider Bronze or Catastrophic insurance policies.

Bronze and Catastrophic plans have higher out-of-pocket costs, so that you may pay more for medical services. Catastrophic insurance is only available to individuals under 30 or who qualify. Also, Bronze plans are unlimited.

Young, healthy people with emergency savings may be good candidates for these plans. Also, people with few savings or discretionary funds may prefer the Silver plan’s lower deductible.

NC Health Insurance

North Carolina has many health insurance plans and insurers. Everyone needs health insurance. Due to escalating health care expenses, an accident or other emergency might leave you with thousands of dollars in medical bills. North Carolina’s health insurance business is in transition, as it is nationwide. Most insurance providers allow you to modify your plan to receive individualized care.

North Carolina’s Top Carriers:

  1. Humana: Humana One is a prominent North Carolina health insurer. Their North Carolina health plans provide PPO and high-deductible options so that you may customize your coverage. Human One’s network includes over 350,000 doctors and 3,000 hospitals. This network contains nearly 50,000 pharmacies. Moreover, Humana One lets consumers rate doctors and hospitals so they may choose the best one. Humana offers various health insurance benefits, including dental insurance for kids, vision insurance, Medicare, and more. Humana also offers secondary health insurance for people who need it. It is separate from a medical plan and covers care and services that your primary plan may not. Moreover, Humana’s health insurance reviews are generally favorable, and the Better Business Bureau has given the company an A+ rating.
  2. UnitedHealthOne: UnitedHealthOne is another health insurance company in North Carolina. A few years ago, United Healthcare amalgamated with Golden Rule. 26 million people are served each year. Also, the company takes pride in that over 94% of its health insurance claims are processed within ten business days, a reputation it works hard to maintain.
  3. WellPath: It’s safe to say that WellPath is on the rise in the ever-evolving North Carolina health insurance market. Coventry Health Care, Inc., the nation’s largest health care provider, owns WellPath. Most of the state is covered by its regional network. In North Carolina, WellPath offers among the most affordable copay plans and prices for families.

Affordable Health Insurance in North Carolina

To find affordable health insurance in NC is not impossible. Anyone can do it. With escalating medical expenditures, you and your family need health insurance. Individual health insurance in NC is pricey if not through a group plan. Before buying an insurance policy, determine what coverage you need. A North Carolina health savings account plan may suit you if you are ready to cover the small items. Moreover, a typical copay plan may be better if you like predetermined doctor visits and prescription medication prices.

The laws that govern affordable health insurance in NC say that an insurance company must look over every single application for individual health insurance. If they can’t support themselves, disabled kids may continue receiving their parents’ insurance benefits after adulthood. Also, North Carolina insurance policies must cover certain treatments, for instance, Mammograms and diabetic medications. Then, the insurance company decides whether to cover pre-existing conditions.

Average Cost of Health Insurance in NC

According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, an employee’s health insurance premium averaged $6,000 per year or $500 per month in 2021.   Use the government’s healthcare marketplace if you don’t have an employer-sponsored plan. Moreover, the market has bronze, silver, and gold plans. Bronze has the lowest cost and coverage. Silver is a cost- and coverage-optimal plan. In comparison, Gold is expensive yet offers the highest protection.

If you use the government’s health marketplace, expect to pay each month:

Low-Cost Plan: 

  • Bronze-tier: $365
  • Silver-tier: $511
  • Gold-tier: $553

For a 40-year-old, these are the cost of health insurance in NC. Even though the premiums look high, they have gone down. Even with this good news, the average health insurance cost in NC may still be too much for you. Depending on your income and household size, you may earn subsidies.

Cheap Health Insurance in North Carolina

With these laws in mind, North Carolinians can find affordable health insurance. Medicaid and CHIP provide low income health insurance in NC for its citizens. Also, Medicaid eligibility may be possible if you are 65 or older or younger and disabled and meet the income and asset requirements.

  1. Medicaid: Medicaid provides Free health insurance in North Carolina to its residents. Medicaid is low income health insurance. Also, Medicaid assists low income parents, kids, elders, and the disabled. This program has no premiums or copayments for those who satisfy the income requirements. Visit NC Medicaid for more information.
  2. NC Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP): This is another alternative. Your children may qualify for this program if your family earns too much for Medicaid but not enough for private insurance. Enrollees must pay $50 for one child and $100 for two or more. Low copayments for medical visits, prescription medicines, and non-emergency ER visits. North Carolina Health Choice for Children’s website has more information.

There are still ways to get cheap health insurance in NC if you need to purchase an individual policy. The best course of action for you is to request a health insurance estimate for the policy you desire. Before submitting an application for the cheapest health insurance in North Carolina, you should speak with us about your options so that we can make sure the most cost-effective plan covers you.

Cheapest Health Insurance in NC by Metal Tier

Comparing North Carolina health insurance policies for 2022, we found the cheapest health insurance in NC options for each level of coverage to assist you in saving money on a policy.

Bright Health is the most affordable option for Silver, Bronze Expanded, and Catastrophic tier policies across the state. However, when it comes to Gold and Bronze tier insurance, NC Blue Shield and Blue Cross is the most affordable supplier. Not every county can get low cost health insurance in NC options listed here. As a starting point, we recommend that you use these figures as a guide to estimate the advantages and costs of a certain level of coverage.

affordable health insurance in North Carolina

Your health insurance premium varies by policy, age, and family size within a metal tier. 40-year-olds spend $138 more than 21-year-olds on Silver health insurance. On the other hand, 60-year-olds pay $712 more than 40-year-olds. This shows how quickly rates can grow with aging.

Individual Health Insurance in NC 2022 

You can choose from various health insurance plans, including low deductibles with higher monthly premiums and high deductibles with cheaper monthly rates if you’re solely looking for insurance for yourself. Sometimes, you may be eligible for cheaper premiums if you have a pre-existing medical condition. Moreover, the greater your premiums are upfront, the lower your out-of-pocket expenses will be if you ever need to use your insurance. Lower monthly rates result from a greater deductible, but you’ll end up paying more in the event of an accident or illness.

You have a choice between three different types of insurance coverage.

  1. HMO Plans: HMO plans have a network of doctors you can use to get care. You will need to receive a referral from your doctor to see a specialist.
  2. PPO Plans: If you’re willing to pay a higher premium, you can see any doctor or specialist you choose, but you’ll have to do so with a PPO plan.
  3. POS Plans: Suppose you’re looking for a medium ground. In that case, Point of Service (POS) plans fall somewhere in the middle because they offer discounts on treatment from a network of providers but allow you to see doctors outside of the network for a larger co-payment. Also try EPO plans if you want to get full benefit out of your coverage.

Family Health Insurance in NC 2022

When it comes to the health of your family, your priorities shift. Even if you are in perfect health, you can have a diabetic spouse or a mentally ill child. You’ll have to balance your family’s requirements with your financial resources.

These factors will influence the type of plan you choose. If your family is generally healthy, you may want to look at an HMO plan. You may prefer a PPO plan because it gives you more freedom to see experts without requiring a referral. Check the provider network of the health care organization to ensure that it includes a range of specialties that can satisfy your family’s demands.

Private Health Insurance in North Carolina

Self-employed people confront health insurance issues. No company offers group health insurance or pays premiums. Self-employed people are responsible for their health insurance. Moreover, Self-employed health insurance can avoid a loss of personal or business assets in a medical emergency.

Private health insurance in North Carolina can be affordable for people who work for themselves. Self-employed people like HSA-compatible insurance coverage. Health savings accounts (HSA) let self-employed people save tax-free for medical expenses. If a health savings account isn’t used to meet medical bills during self-employment, it can be used without restriction or penalty following retirement.

NC Blue Shield and Blue Cross offer self-employed health insurance. Also, they offer Bronze 5500 and Bronze 5000 plans to qualify for HSAs. These high-deductible plans limit out-of-network medical spending.

Furthermore, Health insurance is a great investment for a self-employed person’s health and business. A sick self-employed person’s business suffers. All NC Blue Shield and Blue Cross health insurance policies cover preventive treatment at no extra cost to the patient. Also, Annual physicals, nutrition treatment, and age-appropriate tests are free.

Short-Term Health Coverage in North Carolina

Many situations cause temporary coverage gaps. You may be between employment, waiting for new job coverage, or on your parents’ health plan at 26.

A North Carolina short-term health insurance plan can address coverage gaps for up to 364 days. Also, North Carolina permits renewals for up to 36 months.

Because they don’t offer comprehensive benefits, short-term health plans have lower monthly prices than ACA policies. Since they aren’t built for reoccurring health issues or pre-existing ailments, you could face exorbitant charges.

Moreover, Short-term plans can deny coverage based on your health, unlike ACA plans. You could acquire a policy the next day if authorized.

We have examined some of the most important aspects of purchasing health insurance in North Carolina. This should help you determine what kind of coverage is best for you.

Parting Thoughts!

Finding the appropriate health insurance for your requirements requires analyzing all of this information and identifying the plan that includes your family’s doctors and chosen providers. At NewHealthInsurance, we present you with fair options and competitive prices for all firms that meet your requirements.

Reach out Today at Newhealthinsurance and get affordable health insurance quotes in North Carolina now!

health insurance in North Carolina

NC Health Insurance FAQs

How much does health insurance cost in North Carolina?

Individual major medical NC health insurance plans cost, on average, $482 per person. If you are in good health, you may be able to get a better deal on your premiums.

Metal Level Average Monthly Premium*  
Bronze $482  
Silver $610  
Gold $765  

In North Carolina, NewHealthInsurance offers plans with an average cost of $1,050, and rates vary according to characteristics such as zip code, age, gender, and more. Request a free, no-obligation quotation to learn more about your options.

What is the average cost of health insurance in NC?

For a 40-year-old in North Carolina in 2022, the average monthly cost of a Silver health plan will be $634. Also, to help you save money on health insurance. You may qualify for cost-sharing reductions or premium subsidies based on your income and family size.

Does North Carolina have affordable HealthCare?

North Carolina has two affordable health plans. North Carolina offers Medicaid and CHIP. Medicaid is a health insurance program for low-income people and families that helps them pay for medical costs. Also, suppose your family makes too much for Medicaid but not enough for health insurance. Your children may qualify for the free or low-cost NC Children’s Health Insurance Program.

Who is eligible for Obamacare in NC?

Obamacare provides health insurance to millions of uninsured Americans. 2021’s American Rescue Plan Act will make the ACA more affordable in 2022. Also, new financial aid means 4 out of 5 people can obtain a $10-per-month plan. Legal US residents not incarcerated or insured by Medicare can enroll in an ACA plan. Moreover, the Obamacare application process may reveal Medicaid eligibility. If your job doesn’t offer insurance, you may be able to afford Obamacare.

How do I get health insurance in NC?

North Carolina residents apply for coverage on healthcare.gov. Seven insurers offer HMO, PPO, and POS plans through the exchange. Also, review HMO and POS plan documentation to ensure your doctor is covered.

 

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