Find Your Most Affordable Health Insurance Plan in Wilmington, North Carolina
in North Carolina
New Hanover County residents can compare 17 health insurance options for 2026.
Blue Value is a good fit if you are flexible about which doctors you see – or if your doctor or hospital is part of this smaller network. The network is statewide, making it easy to get in-network care if you travel or have a child away at college within North Carolina.
Limited statewide network for savings
Network includes, but is not limited to, Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist, CaroMont Health, Duke LifePoint Healthcare, Novant Health and UNC Health Alliance.
The following doctor/hospital networks are considered out-of-network for Blue Value: Atrium Health (not including Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist), Duke Health and WakeMed. Out-of-state providers are also out-of-network. 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 covered services will be covered at the out-of-network benefit level.
Blue Value is available on and off Marketplace to residents of these North Carolina counties: Alexander, Brunswick, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Cleveland, Columbus, Duplin, Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln, New Hanover, Onslow, Pender, and Surry.
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 New Hanover County
Find affordable health insurance in Wilmington, North Carolina, NC with Health Plans of NC. Health Plans of NC helps Wilmington, North Carolina residents find the right health insurance coverage for 2026, with access to plans that connect directly to local providers like Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center and major employers such as UNC Wilmington and New Hanover County Schools.
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 |
Blue Value | HMO | Value-focused HMO with lower premiums |
Wilmington, North Carolina is home to 118,578 residents and has seen 0.0% population growth since 2020, reflecting a stable community with consistent healthcare coverage needs across a diverse workforce. Major employers including Novant Health New Hanover Regional, New Hanover County Schools, UNC Wilmington, the County of New Hanover, and Walmart anchor the local economy and drive demand for both employer-sponsored and individual health coverage. With 5.7% of residents being foreign-born, Health Plans of NC ensures all community members can navigate available options, from ACA Marketplace plans to Medicaid, with clear and accessible guidance.
ACA Marketplace coverage through Blue Cross NC gives Wilmington residents access to plans that connect directly to Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center and Cape Fear Memorial Hospital.
Medicaid coverage is available to qualifying low-income Wilmington residents following North Carolina's expansion in December 2023, covering individuals and families who may not afford private insurance.
Employer-sponsored insurance is a primary coverage source for thousands of Wilmington residents employed by large local organizations such as New Hanover County Schools and UNC Wilmington.
Short-term health plans may serve Wilmington residents in coverage gaps, such as those transitioning between jobs at major employers like Walmart or the County of New Hanover.
COBRA continuation coverage allows Wilmington residents who recently left employment at organizations like Novant Health New Hanover Regional to maintain their existing plan temporarily while seeking new coverage.
Small business SHOP Marketplace plans are available to Wilmington small business owners who want to offer group coverage to employees, with access to the same Blue Cross NC networks serving local health systems.
For 2026, Wilmington, North Carolina residents can choose from plans across three Blue Cross NC networks, Blue Advantage, Blue Care, and Blue Value, each offering different levels of provider access and cost structures through HMO and PPO arrangements. Blue Advantage and Blue Care are PPO plans that provide broad access to providers including those affiliated with Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center and Cape Fear Memorial Hospital, while Blue Value is an HMO plan designed for residents seeking lower premiums with a more defined provider network. Health Plans of NC helps Wilmington residents review each network's provider directory to confirm their preferred doctors and facilities are in-network before enrolling.
Blue Advantage, a PPO plan, offers the largest nationwide network with over 95% of North Carolina doctors in-network, including providers affiliated with Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center.
Blue Care, a PPO plan, provides a broad statewide network covering over 92% of North Carolina doctors in-network, connecting Wilmington residents to providers at Cape Fear Memorial Hospital and surrounding practices.
Blue Value, an HMO plan, focuses on value-driven coverage with lower premiums and a structured provider network suited for Wilmington residents who prefer predictable care coordination.
PPO plan structures under Blue Advantage and Blue Care allow Wilmington residents to see specialists at facilities like Cape Fear Memorial Hospital without requiring a primary care referral.
HMO plan structure under Blue Value requires Wilmington residents to coordinate care through a primary care physician, which can streamline access to routine services within the defined network.
All three plan networks, Blue Advantage, Blue Care, and Blue Value, are offered through the ACA Marketplace in Wilmington's Rating Area 7, giving residents meaningful choices based on provider preference and coverage needs.
Bronze plans in Wilmington, North Carolina start at approximately $403.47/month before subsidies. Silver plans start at $518.72/month. Gold plans start at $536.24/month. With a median household income of $63,900, many residents qualify for premium tax credits. Subsidies may reduce your monthly premium significantly based on income.
Bronze plans in Wilmington, North Carolina start at $403.47 per month for a 35-year-old, offering the lowest monthly premiums with higher deductibles before coverage kicks in.
Silver plans start at $518.72 per month and are the only tier eligible for cost-sharing reductions, making them the most financially advantageous option for residents who qualify.
Gold plans start at $536.24 per month and provide lower out-of-pocket costs at the point of care, benefiting residents who anticipate frequent medical services throughout the year.
Wilmington residents with household incomes near or below the area median of $63,900 may qualify for premium tax credits that reduce monthly costs well below published starting prices.
Some lower-income Wilmington residents may qualify for a zero-dollar premium Silver plan after federal premium tax credits are applied, making comprehensive coverage essentially free each month.
Out-of-pocket maximums for 2026 ACA plans cap the total annual cost a Wilmington resident pays, providing financial protection against high medical expenses regardless of which tier is selected.
For 2026, Blue Cross NC is the sole ACA Marketplace carrier serving Wilmington, North Carolina, offering a total of 17 individual and family plans in Rating Area 7. These 17 plans are available across three distinct networks, Blue Advantage, Blue Care, and Blue Value, which include PPO and HMO plan structures giving residents meaningful flexibility in how they access care. Blue Advantage and Blue Care connect Wilmington residents to the broadest provider networks in North Carolina, while Blue Value provides a more focused HMO network at lower premium price points. The network a resident selects directly determines which Wilmington-area providers and facilities they can access in-network, making it essential to verify that preferred doctors and hospitals are included before enrolling. Health Plans of NC compares every available Blue Cross NC plan side by side at no cost, helping Wilmington residents identify the plan that best fits their provider preferences and budget.
Blue Cross NC, the sole ACA Marketplace carrier in Wilmington, North Carolina, offers 17 plans for 2026 across PPO structures under Blue Advantage and Blue Care and HMO structure under Blue Value in Rating Area 7.
North Carolina expanded Medicaid in December 2023, opening eligibility to adults earning up to 138% of the federal poverty level and significantly broadening coverage access across the state. In Wilmington, North Carolina, 11.6% of residents, approximately 14,000 people, remain uninsured, and many of them may now qualify for Medicaid or subsidized Marketplace coverage without realizing it. Children in families earning up to 210% of the federal poverty level may qualify for NC Health Choice, the state's CHIP program, providing low-cost coverage for minors whose families earn too much for Medicaid but still need affordable options. Health Plans of NC offers free eligibility checks so Wilmington residents can quickly determine whether they qualify for Medicaid, CHIP, or a subsidized Marketplace plan.
Working adults in Wilmington earning at or below 138% of the federal poverty level may now qualify for full Medicaid coverage following North Carolina's December 2023 expansion.
Children in Wilmington families earning up to 210% of the federal poverty level may qualify for NC Health Choice, providing comprehensive low-cost coverage for minors.
Pregnant women in Wilmington may qualify for Medicaid at higher income thresholds than standard adult eligibility, ensuring prenatal and postpartum care remains accessible.
Wilmington's poverty rate of 16.3% means a significant share of the local population may be eligible for Medicaid at little to no monthly cost, particularly households with children or part-time workers.
Seniors and individuals with disabilities in Wilmington who have low incomes may qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid simultaneously, often called dual eligibility, which can eliminate most out-of-pocket costs.
Health Plans of NC licensed agents serve Wilmington, North Carolina residents at no cost, comparing every available 2026 plan side by side and guiding you through enrollment so you get the right coverage for your needs and budget. Call 800-797-0327 today to speak with a local agent who can find your best plan options and calculate any subsidies you may qualify for.
Call 800-797-0327 (toll free) to speak with a licensed Health Plans of NC agent serving Wilmington, 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 Wilmington, North Carolina at no charge.
Wilmington, North Carolina ZIP Codes include: 28401, 28402, 28403, 28404, 28405, 28406, 28407, 28408, 28409, 28410, 28411, and 28412
