Wake County residents have the choice of two healthcare options: Blue Advantage (Off Marketplace only) and Blue Home with UNC Health Alliance.
Good option if you wish to get care from UNC Health, UNC Health Alliance and its affiliated doctors and hospitals. (E1)
Since the majority of doctors in this plan are in the same network, it’s easier for them to work together on your behalf.
Hospitals and providers including more than 1,700+ primary care providers (E2)
UNC Medical Center, is nationally ranked in 3 adult and 9 pediatric specialties by U.S. News (E3)
UNC Rex, rated by U.S. News as high performing in 15 adult procedures and conditions (E4)
All doctors outside the UNC Health Alliance provider network are considered out-of-network and not covered for Blue Home with UNC Health Alliance, including: Cone Health, Duke Health and WakeMed. Out-of-network benefit coverage is not available except for emergency services, urgent care and for medically necessary covered services when an in-network provider is not reasonably available per the access to care standards of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (Blue Cross NC).
Out-of-state providers are also out-of-network and not covered. When traveling outside of North Carolina or the United States, only emergency services and urgent care will be covered at the in-network benefit level. All other non-emergency services will be out-of-network and not covered.
Blue Home with UNC Health Alliance is available on and off Marketplace to residents of these North Carolina counties: Alamance, Caswell, Chatham, Durham, Franklin, Johnston, Lee, Nash, Orange, Person, and Wake.
Good option if you want a broad choice of in-network doctors, specialists and hospitals.
Our largest statewide network. Full statewide network with the most provider choice. More than 95% of doctors and 98% of hospitals in North Carolina are in-network (A1)
Blue Advantage is available on and off Marketplace to residents in all North Carolina counties EXCEPT the following, where it is available only off Marketplace: Alamance, Anson, Cabarrus, Caswell, Chatham, Cleveland, Davidson, Davie, Durham, Forsyth, Franklin, Gaston, Johnston, Lee, Lincoln, Mecklenburg, Orange, Person, Rowan, Stanly, Stokes, Surry, Union, Wake, and Yadkin.
in Wake County
Garner, located in Wake County in North Carolina, is home to approximately 32,000 people. With a median age of 38.3 years, the city offers plenty for young families, including a cost of living that’s 5.1% lower than the national average, a friendly small-town feel, and easy access to big-city amenities. Wake County is home to around 1.1 million people and is one of the fastest-growing counties in the U.S. (with a growth rate of almost 18% between 2010 and 2020).
Activities for families include visiting Lake Benson Park, a beautiful spot to take a picnic, go on a bike ride, or take a walk around the lake. White Deer Park is another great outdoor spot for families with excellent hiking trails, a playground, and a nature center for kids to explore. For indoor fun, the Garner Performing Arts Center hosts a variety of shows throughout the year to suit a wide range of tastes. Families can also participate in the many recreational programs in Garner, including youth sports leagues, fitness classes, and art classes.
Garner is only 8 miles south of Raleigh, providing easy access to various cultural, educational, and employment opportunities. Major employers in Wake County include WakeMed Health and Hospitals, IBM, and Cisco Systems. Garner also has an excellent school system and is home to several top-rated public and private schools. Families can also rest assured they can access top-quality healthcare, with several hospitals and medical centers nearby, including WakeMed Garner Healthplex and UNC Health Care. Garner (zip codes 27529, 27520, 27591, and 27603) is also near other popular Wake County cities, such as Cary and Apex, which offer various family-friendly amenities and activities.
Health Plans of NC, Kelly Quinn
A1. Blue Cross NC Provider Internal Data; percentages indicated represent Blue Cross NC's PPO Network as of July 22, 2022. Note: Not all plans are available in all areas.
B1. Blue Cross NC has collaborated with Novant Health to bring you Blue Home with Novant Health. Blue Home with Novant Health is a health insurance plan offered by Blue Cross NC that provides access to a limited network of providers. Novant Health is an independent company that is solely responsible for the physicians and medical facilities it owns and operates. Novant Health does not offer Blue Cross or Blue Shield products or services.
B2. NovantHealth, www.novanthealth.org/home/about-us/company-information.aspx (Accessed August 2022).
C1. Blue Cross NC has collaborated with Atrium Health to bring you Blue Local with Atrium Health. Blue Local with Atrium Health is a health insurance plan offered by Blue Cross NC that provides access to Atrium Health’s limited network of providers. Atrium Health is an independent company that is solely responsible for the physicians and medical facilities it owns/operates and does not offer Blue Cross or Blue Shield products or services.
C2. U.S. News & World Report, www.health.usnews.com/best-hospitals/area/nc/levine-childrens-hospital-PA6360280 (Accessed September 2022).
C3. AtriumHealth, www.atriumhealth.org/about-us/newsroom/news/2020/07/atrium-health-earns-multiple-honors-by-us-news-world-report (Accessed September 2022).
C4. AtriumHealth, www.atriumhealth.org/about-us (Accessed September 2022).
D1. Blue Cross NC has collaborated with Wake Forest Baptist Health to bring you Blue Local with Wake Forest Baptist Health. Blue Local with Wake Forest Baptist Health is a health insurance plan offered by Blue Cross NC that provides access to a limited network of providers. Wake Forest Baptist Health is an independent company that is solely responsible for the physicians and medical facilities it owns and operates. Wake Forest Baptist Health does not offer Blue Cross or Blue Shield products or services.
D2. WakeForestBaptistHealth, www.wakehealth.edu/-/media/WakeForest/Clinical/Files/About-Us/2019FactBook.pdf (Accessed September 2022).
E1. Blue Cross NC has collaborated with UNC Health Care to bring you Blue Home with UNC Health Alliance. Blue Home with UNC Health Alliance is a health insurance plan offered by Blue Cross NC that provides access to a limited network of providers. UNC Health Care is an independent company that is solely responsible for the physicians and medical facilities it owns and operates. UNC Health Care does not offer Blue Cross or Blue Shield products or services.
E2. UNC Health, www.unchealthcare.org/health-alliance/ (Accessed August 2022).
E3. U.S. News and World Report, www.health.usnews.com/best-hospitals/area/nc/university-of-north-carolina-hospitals-6360260 (Accessed September 2022).
E4. U.S. News and World Report, www.health.usnews.com/best-hospitals/area/nc/rex-healthcare-6361210 (Accessed September 2022).
U9144b, 9/22
Garner, North Carolina ZIP Codes include: 27529