North Carolina residents have a wide range of options for health insurance. There are many options available for you whether you don’t have coverage at the moment or you aren’t working. There is no reason for you to be without any type 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. North Carolina's health insurance costs average $6,352 per person, and $25.408 per family. This is $629 below 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 holds nearly ninety seven percent of North Carolina’s individual market for health insurance. According to the most recent federal data, North Carolinians spent less in 2021 as compared with 2019. North Carolina also has the highest number of enrollees receiving premium tax credits or subsidies. In fact, 93% of North Carolina residents received some form of subsidy to help lower the cost of their coverage. North Carolinians received more monthly average subsidies than those in the rest of America. The average North Carolina subsidy was $568, compared to the $491 national average.
Pre-existing condition exclusions
North Carolina has exclusions on individual health insurance policies that cover pre-existing conditions. These exclusions could be lessened if policyholders have prior creditable medical coverage. Prior coverage that covers a preexisting condition within the six-month period prior to the policy start date is considered creditable.
Prior to the Affordable Care Act, insurers could deny coverage or charge higher premiums for people with certain health conditions. However, this was not the case in all cases. A national survey revealed that almost a third were declined for or charged more to insure due to preexisting conditions. In addition, 54 percent of people with individual market insurance were concerned about dropping coverage due to pre-existing conditions.
Premiums
In North Carolina, the average premium for family health insurance plans was $18,211 in 2018, compared with just over $12,000 in 2008. However, premiums are not equally distributed 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. In comparison, the average American spends 8 percent on their health care costs in 2008 and 11 percent in 2018.
Americans have made it easier to get insurance. Individuals can now purchase North Carolina health insurance from the Affordable CareAct's Health Insurance Marketplace, for less than $600 per year. You can either purchase health insurance through a private company or the Marketplace. North Carolina offers two options for enrolling in health insurance plans: private or marketplace. A person must first have a qualifying incident before they can apply for an Exchange plan.
Short-term plans
Short-term health insurance plans are a great way to bridge the gap between regular health insurance and short-term coverage. These plans are ideal for those who have just recently been divorced, want to supplement or retire early, as well as people looking to replace their existing coverage. Short-term plans typically have fewer requirements than standard health insurance, so it's important to compare the features of each plan. To make the best decision, compare premiums and deductibles as well as copays and maximum benefits.
Short-term health insurance plans are available to North Carolina residents who need temporary coverage. These policies can be used to replace individual health insurance policies and last for up to 36 months. These plans can sometimes be renewed for longer periods. They are very affordable, especially for those who don't have insurance through their employer.
Medicare coverage
If you're a senior in North Carolina, you may be eligible for Medicare coverage. There are many plans you can choose from. Many of them are tiered and provide different levels coverage. There are also a variety of supplemental coverage options and some plans include 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.