Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Asheville is known for its arts scene, outdoor recreation and regional hospitals. Here’s an overview of life and health care in Asheville, and how to find health coverage that fits.
Written by the licensed agents at Health Plans of NC, an insurance agency authorized by Blue Cross NC.
Asheville is the largest city in Western North Carolina and the county seat of Buncombe County. Set in the Blue Ridge Mountains where the French Broad and Swannanoa rivers meet, it draws residents and visitors alike with its mountain scenery, thriving arts community and eclectic neighborhoods.
The city has also shown real resilience. Hurricane Helene caused severe damage across Western North Carolina in September 2024, and Asheville and its neighboring communities have been rebuilding homes, businesses, roads and trails ever since.
The Biltmore Estate, the largest privately owned home in the United States, is one of the region’s best-known attractions. The Blue Ridge Parkway runs along the edge of the city, and nearby Pisgah National Forest offers hiking, waterfalls and camping. Downtown and the River Arts District are home to galleries, working studios, independent shops and restaurants, along with one of the country’s best-known craft beer scenes.
Mission Hospital is the region’s largest hospital and a major referral center for Western North Carolina, offering emergency care, heart and cancer care, and pediatric care through Mission Children’s Hospital.
The Charles George VA Medical Center serves veterans across the region, and the Mountain Area Health Education Center (MAHEC) provides primary and specialty care while training future health professionals. Pardee UNC Health Care in nearby Hendersonville also serves the greater Asheville area. The city has a wide range of primary care practices, specialists, and mental health and recovery services.
Asheville has long been a popular place to retire, with independent living, assisted living and skilled nursing communities throughout the area. If you’re turning 65 or reviewing your Medicare coverage, check that a plan includes your doctors, hospitals and prescriptions before you enroll.
UNC Asheville and Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College anchor the city’s education community, and Asheville is known for its commitment to the arts, local food and easy access to the outdoors.
Whether you’re comparing individual and family plans, Medicare options or coverage for your business, a local Health Plans of NC agent can explain your choices and help you check whether your doctors and hospitals are in network, at no cost to you.