North Carolina residents can choose from a range of insurance plans. There are many options available for you whether you don’t have coverage at the moment or you aren’t working. There's no reason to take a chance without any kind of coverage. You can avoid being left with huge medical bills by having health insurance.
North Carolina health insurance costs
North Carolina has a low cost for health insurance, but there are variations from one county to another. The average cost of health insurance in North Carolina is $6,352 per person and $25,408 per family. This is $629 lower than the national average. The cost of North Carolina health insurance is just as variable as anywhere else. It varies based on what type of insurance and who you insure. You can compare the cost of insurance in North Carolina by checking out the chart below.
Blue Cross Blue Shield controls almost 97% of North Carolina’s individual insurance market. According to the latest federal data, North Carolinians paid less in 2021 than they did in 2019. North Carolina has one of the highest proportions of enrollees that received subsidies and premium tax credits. 93% of North Carolina residents were eligible for some type of subsidy to lower their insurance costs. Furthermore, North Carolinians were granted larger average monthly subsidies than people in the rest of the country. North Carolina received $568 per month in subsidies, compared with the national average of $491.
Pre-existing condition exclusions
Individual health insurance policies in North Carolina are subject to pre-existing condition exclusions. These exclusions can be reduced if the policyholder is able to show creditable previous health coverage. If the coverage covers a pre-existing condition within 6 months of the policy's start date, it is creditable.
Prior to the Affordable Care Act, insurers could deny coverage or charge higher premiums for people with certain health conditions. However, not all cases were affected. According to a survey, almost a third of people were denied or charged more for insurance coverage due to pre-existing conditions. 54 percent of those with individual market coverage were also concerned about losing their coverage due to preexisting conditions.
Premiums
In North Carolina, the 2018 average premium to purchase a family plan for health insurance was $18,211. This compares to $12,000 in 2008. There is a wide variation in the distribution of premiums between counties. North Carolinians who have employer-sponsored insurance for their health care spent almost 14 percent of the state's median income in 2018, compared with just over eleven percent in 2008. Comparatively, 8 percent of Americans spent their income on health care in 2008 and 11.5 percent in 2018, respectively.
Americans can now get health insurance at a more affordable price thanks to the Affordable Care Act. The Affordable Health Act's Health Insurance Marketplace allows individuals in North Carolina to purchase health insurance for less that $600 per calendar month. Health insurance plans can be purchased through a private insurer or through the Marketplace. Enrollment in health insurance plans in North Carolina is open from November 1 to January 15, but a qualifying event must occur before a person can enroll in an Exchange plan.
Short-term plans
These plans can be used to bridge gaps between short-term coverage and regular health insurance. These plans can be beneficial to people who have recently divorced or are looking to add to their existing coverage. Short-term plans are typically less restrictive than standard health insurance. This is why it's so important to compare features between each plan. Compare premiums, deductibles copays, maximum benefits, plan start dates, and copays to make the best selection.
North Carolina residents are able to get temporary coverage with short-term health insurance plans. These policies are aimed at replacing individual health insurance policies, and can last up to 36 months. In some cases, these plans can be renewed for longer periods of time. They are also very affordable, especially if you don't have coverage through an employer.
Medicare coverage
Medicare coverage is possible for senior citizens in North Carolina. There are many plans to choose from. They are often tiered and offer different levels of coverage. There are many supplemental options available, some even offering prescription drug coverage. Original Medicare has the most basic coverage and allows you to choose a provider anywhere in the U.S.
Original Medicare is Medicare's most basic program. It covers doctor appointments, mental health care, ambulance services, durable medical equipment, and other services. Original Medicare doesn't cover prescription drugs. However, Medicare Part D can provide prescription drug coverage. You can also opt for Medicare Advantage Plans that include HMOs and PPOs as well as private fee-for-service plans and special needs plans. Some of these plans even include vision and hearing coverage, fitness programs, and more.