How To Find the Best Health Insurance in North Carolina

North Carolina has slightly above-average health insurance premiums, so it’s important to compare rates from multiple health insurance companies before settling on a plan. While health insurance coverage requirements aren’t enforced in North Carolina, it’s still a good idea to purchase a policy that can protect you from severe debt after a medical emergency.

Read on for more details about North Carolina health insurance including median costs in various cities and when you can enroll in a new health plan.

On This Page

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  Is Health Insurance Required in North Carolina?

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  North Carolina Health Insurance Rankings

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  How Much Does Health Insurance Cost in North Carolina?

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  What Is the Average Cost of Health Insurance in North Carolina by City?

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  Which Health Insurance Companies Are the Most Affordable in North Carolina?

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  When Is Open Enrollment for Health Insurance in North Carolina?

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  What Types of Health Insurance Are Available in North Carolina?

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  How To Get Health Insurance in North Carolina

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  FAQs

Is Health Insurance Required in North Carolina?

Although the Affordable Care Act (ACA) officially requires taxpayers in every state to have health insurance, the federal government has not penalized people for going without it since the 2018 tax year.^[1] Some states have enacted their own individual mandates but North Carolina does not impose any penalties on uninsured residents.

North Carolina Health Insurance Rankings

North Carolina’s health care system is a bit below average in terms of overall quality according to the Commonwealth Fund, which ranked the Tar Heel State 33rd out of 51 in a study of the health systems in every state and the District of Columbia. That said, North Carolina did rank second overall out of the 12 Southeastern states, making it one of the best options for receiving quality health care in the Southeast region.^[2]

Check out the following table to see North Carolina’s ranking for each of the main metrics analyzed by the Commonwealth Fund.^[2]

How Much Does Health Insurance Cost in North Carolina?

Health insurance costs are a bit higher than average in North Carolina, where the average monthly premium for a Marketplace benchmark plan is $495. In contrast, the average monthly premium for benchmark plans across the country is $477. North Carolinians also pay an average of $369 per month for the state’s lowest-cost bronze plan, $493 per month for the lowest-cost silver plan and $513 per month for the lowest-cost gold plan.^[3]

Cheapest Health Insurance Options in North Carolina

One way to cut your health insurance costs is to enroll in a plan in the bronze health insurance tier. These plans come with high out-of-pocket costs like deductibles, copays and coinsurance but they generally have the lowest health insurance premiums.^[4] Keep in mind that, if you have a chronic condition or otherwise require frequent medical care, then it will probably save you money in the long run to opt for a higher-tiered gold or platinum plan.

Meanwhile, health maintenance organization (HMO) plans are typically cheaper than preferred provider organization (PPO) plans in regard to both monthly premiums and out-of-pocket costs when you receive care. However, HMOs don’t cover out-of-network care unless it’s an emergency or specialist visit unless you have a referral from your doctor.^[5]

What Is the Average Cost of Health Insurance in North Carolina by City?

To get an idea of what health insurance costs are like in some of the biggest cities in North Carolina, take a look at the upcoming table, which includes median rates for individual Marketplace health plans offered to 30-year-olds earning $40,000 per year before taking premium tax credit subsidies into account.^[6]

Which Health Insurance Companies Are the Most Affordable in North Carolina?

Blue Cross Blue Shield and AmeriHealth Caritas Next offer the cheapest silver health plans for 40-year-olds in North Carolina. In the below table, you’ll find a rundown of all the North Carolina health insurance companies that offer that type of coverage for less than $800 per month.^[7]

When Is Open Enrollment for Health Insurance in North Carolina?

North Carolina uses the federal Health Insurance Marketplace, which means that residents of the state can enroll in a Marketplace plan during the standard November 1 to January 15 open enrollment period. The enrollment deadline is December 15 for coverage beginning on January 1, whereas coverage will begin on February 1 for enrollees who sign up between December 16 and January 15.^[8]

Once open enrollment has passed, you generally cannot join a Marketplace health plan unless you are eligible for a special enrollment period. These may be triggered by events like a loss of income or existing health coverage, moving to a new address, marriage, childbirth or adoption.^[9]

What Types of Health Insurance Are Available in North Carolina?

People living in North Carolina have a variety of different health insurance options at their disposal such as the following:

• Marketplace health insurance
• Private coverage purchased directly from an insurance company such as short-term health insurance
• Employer-sponsored group health insurance
• Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) continuation coverage
• Medicare
• Medicaid (includes the Children’s Health Insurance Program, or CHIP)
• Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health benefits
• Student health plans

How To Get Health Insurance in North Carolina

You’re more likely to find a good deal on health care coverage if you compare health insurance quotes from at least three to five insurance companies. Requesting a quote typically involves sharing information like your age, ZIP code, household size and income. As a result, it can take a while to collect several quotes if you plan on reaching out to each insurer individually.

However, SmartFinancial helps you speed up the process by doing the legwork of comparing multiple quotes for you. All you have to do is answer a few questions and then we’ll connect you with agents who can help you find affordable health insurance in your area. Click here if you’re interested in comparing health insurance quotes for free.