Find Your Most Affordable Health Insurance Plan in New Bern, North Carolina
in North Carolina
Craven County residents can compare 16 health insurance options for 2026.
Blue Advantage gives you access to our largest nationwide network. This is a good option if you want a broad choice of in-network doctors, specialists and hospitals.
More in-network providers in North Carolina, with over 95% of doctors and 98% of hospitals in-network1
Fewer restrictions on which providers you can see
Nationwide access to in-network providers through BlueCard®2
Emergency services covered at the in-network benefit level regardless of where you go for care
Notes
Blue Cross NC Provider Internal Data; percentages indicated represent the Blue Cross NC PPO Network as of April 7, 2025.
Covered in nearly 200 countries and territories worldwide through the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association BlueCard program. www.geo-blue.com/ (Accessed March 2025). BlueCard coverage varies for each Blue Cross and Blue Shield plan. For more complete details, including benefits, limitations, and exclusions, please refer to your certificate of coverage.
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.
Blue Care gives you access to our largest statewide network. This is a good option if you want a broad choice of in-network doctors, specialists and hospitals.
More than 92% of doctors and 97% of hospitals in North Carolina are in-network.1
All doctors outside the Blue Care provider network are considered out-of-network and not covered. 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 Care is available in all North Carolina counties, except: Alamance, Caswell, Chatham, Durham, Franklin, Johnston, Lee, Orange, Person, and Wake.
in Craven County
Find affordable health insurance in New Bern, North Carolina, NC with Health Plans of NC. Health Plans of NC helps New Bern, North Carolina residents find affordable health coverage for 2026, connecting individuals and families with plans that include access to CarolinaEast Medical Center and other key local providers. Whether you are shopping for yourself, your family, or your small business, licensed agents are available to guide you through every option at no cost.
Plan Network | Type | Network Coverage |
|---|---|---|
Blue Advantage | PPO | Largest nationwide network, 95%+ of NC doctors in-network |
Blue Care | PPO | Broad statewide network, 92%+ of NC doctors in-network |
New Bern, North Carolina is home to 31,563 residents and has seen stable population growth of 0.0 percent since 2020, with foreign-born residents making up 5.4 percent of the community, reflecting a diverse population with a wide range of health coverage needs. Major employers including MCAS Cherry Point, Carolina East Health System, Craven County Schools, BSH Home Appliances, and Craven County provide employer-sponsored coverage to many workers, while others rely on ACA Marketplace plans, Medicaid, or other options to access care at facilities like CarolinaEast Medical Center. Understanding all available coverage pathways ensures that every New Bern resident can find a plan that fits their employment situation, household size, and health needs.
ACA Marketplace plans through Blue Cross NC are well-suited for New Bern residents who are self-employed, work part-time, or do not receive benefits through employers like Craven County Schools or BSH Home Appliances.
Medicaid coverage is available to qualifying low-income New Bern residents, providing access to care at CarolinaEast Medical Center and other local providers at little or no cost.
Employer-sponsored plans through major New Bern employers such as Carolina East Health System and MCAS Cherry Point offer group coverage that typically includes strong local provider access and shared premium costs.
Short-term health plans may serve as a temporary bridge for New Bern residents between jobs or waiting for open enrollment, though they do not cover the full range of benefits available through ACA Marketplace plans.
COBRA continuation coverage allows New Bern residents who recently left employment with organizations like Craven County or BSH Home Appliances to maintain their existing group health plan for a limited period.
Small business SHOP Marketplace plans give New Bern small business owners a structured way to offer group health benefits to employees, with access to provider networks that include CarolinaEast Medical Center.
For 2026, New Bern residents shopping on the ACA Marketplace have access to plans offered under two Blue Cross NC networks, Blue Advantage and Blue Care, both structured as PPO plans that allow members to access a broad range of providers without requiring referrals for specialist visits. Blue Advantage connects New Bern policyholders to the largest nationwide PPO network, while Blue Care offers a broad statewide PPO network, both of which include key local providers serving Craven County. Health Plans of NC agents can walk New Bern residents through exactly which local doctors, specialists, and facilities are in-network under each plan before enrollment.
Blue Advantage, a PPO plan, connects New Bern residents to the largest nationwide provider network, giving policyholders access to over 95 percent of North Carolina doctors in-network, including providers at CarolinaEast Medical Center.
Blue Care, also a PPO plan, offers a broad statewide network covering over 92 percent of North Carolina doctors in-network, making it a strong option for New Bern residents who primarily seek care within the state.
Both Blue Advantage and Blue Care PPO plans allow New Bern residents to see specialists in nearby regional hubs such as Greenville, Jacksonville, and Morehead City without needing a referral from a primary care provider.
Blue Advantage PPO plans are well-suited for New Bern residents who travel frequently or may need to access healthcare providers outside of North Carolina through the plan's nationwide network coverage.
Blue Care PPO plans are a practical choice for New Bern residents who receive most of their care locally through providers affiliated with CarolinaEast Medical Center and the surrounding Craven County provider community.
Health Plans of NC agents compare Blue Advantage and Blue Care side by side for each New Bern resident to confirm that their preferred local doctors and facilities are in-network before selecting a 2026 plan.
Bronze plans in New Bern, North Carolina start at approximately $463.63/month before subsidies. Silver plans start at $593.60/month. Gold plans start at $626.35/month. With a median household income of $56,893, many residents qualify for premium tax credits. Subsidies may reduce your monthly premium significantly based on income.
Bronze plans start at $463.63 per month for a 35-year-old in New Bern before subsidies, offering the lowest monthly premium with a higher deductible for residents who want protection against major medical events.
Silver plans start at $593.60 per month before subsidies and are the only tier eligible for cost-sharing reductions, which can lower deductibles and copays for New Bern residents who qualify based on income.
Gold plans start at $626.35 per month before subsidies and provide lower out-of-pocket costs throughout the year, making them a strong fit for residents who use healthcare services regularly.
New Bern residents with household incomes between 100 and 400 percent of the federal poverty level qualify for premium tax credits that can meaningfully reduce monthly costs across all plan tiers.
Some New Bern residents with incomes just above the Medicaid eligibility threshold may qualify for enhanced subsidies that bring Silver plan premiums down to zero dollars or near zero per month.
Health Plans of NC provides free side-by-side cost comparisons for every available 2026 plan, including exact subsidy estimates based on each household's income and size in New Bern.
Blue Cross NC is the sole ACA Marketplace carrier serving New Bern, North Carolina for 2026, offering a total of 16 plans across multiple coverage tiers in Rating Area 5. These 16 plans are available through two PPO networks, Blue Advantage and Blue Care, giving New Bern residents meaningful choice in how broadly they can access providers across the state and nation. Blue Advantage connects policyholders to the largest nationwide network, while Blue Care provides a robust statewide network, both of which include providers serving the New Bern area and Craven County. Choosing between these networks affects whether a New Bern resident can access out-of-state providers seamlessly or whether their coverage is centered primarily within North Carolina's provider community. Health Plans of NC compares every available Blue Cross NC plan side by side at no cost, helping New Bern residents select the right network and tier for their providers and budget.
Blue Cross NC, offering PPO plans under the Blue Advantage and Blue Care networks, with 16 total ACA Marketplace plans available in New Bern, North Carolina for 2026.
North Carolina expanded Medicaid in December 2023, extending free or low-cost coverage to adults earning up to 138 percent of the federal poverty level, which opened eligibility to many New Bern residents who previously lacked affordable options. Currently, 7.7 percent of New Bern residents, approximately 2,000 people, remain uninsured, and a meaningful portion of this group may now qualify for Medicaid or other low-cost coverage under the expanded program. Children in families earning up to 210 percent of the federal poverty level may qualify for NC Health Choice, the state's CHIP program, providing comprehensive coverage for younger New Bern residents. Health Plans of NC offers free eligibility checks so New Bern residents can quickly determine whether they qualify for Medicaid, CHIP, or a subsidized Marketplace plan.
Working adults in New Bern who earn low wages and do not have access to employer-sponsored coverage may qualify for Medicaid following North Carolina's December 2023 expansion.
Children in New Bern whose families earn up to 210 percent of the federal poverty level may be eligible for NC Health Choice, offering comprehensive low-cost health coverage through the state CHIP program.
Pregnant women in New Bern may qualify for Medicaid coverage that includes prenatal care, delivery services, and postpartum care through providers in the Craven County network.
New Bern residents aged 65 and older with low incomes may qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid simultaneously, often called dual eligibility, which can significantly reduce out-of-pocket healthcare costs.
With a poverty rate of 16.3 percent in New Bern, a substantial share of the local population may meet income thresholds for Medicaid or cost-sharing reduction assistance, and Health Plans of NC can verify eligibility at no charge.
Health Plans of NC licensed agents serve New Bern, North Carolina residents at no cost, comparing every available 2026 plan side by side and guiding you through enrollment from start to finish. Call 800-797-0327 today to speak with an agent who can find the right plan for your household, budget, and local providers.
Call 800-797-0327 (toll free) to speak with a licensed Health Plans of NC agent serving New Bern, North Carolina
Email [email protected] with questions about plans available in your zip code
Find a licensed agent and book directly at healthplansofnc.com/agents
No cost, no pressure. Compare every 2026 plan available in New Bern, North Carolina at no charge.
New Bern, North Carolina ZIP Codes include: 28560, 28561, 28562, 28563, and 28564
