Find Your Most Affordable Health Insurance Plan in Avery County

in North Carolina
Blue Cross NC Authorized Agency
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Avery County residents can choose from two healthcare options: Blue Advantage and Blue Care.

Blue Advantage logo

Best for

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.

Network

  • 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

  1. Blue Cross NC Provider Internal Data; percentages indicated represent the Blue Cross NC PPO Network as of April 7, 2025.

  2. 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.

Availability

Blue Advantage Availability Map

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 Logo

Best for

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.

Network

  • 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.

Availability

Blue Care Availability Map

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Avery County

in North Carolina

avery

Avery County, North Carolina, offers plenty of outdoor activities owing to its stunning natural landscape. You can explore Grandfather Mountain State Park for hiking, wildlife spotting, and scenic views. Enjoy skiing, snowboarding, or golf at Sugar Mountain Resort, depending on the season. The Avery County Museum in Newland offers a glimpse into local history. Don't miss the chance to drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway, famous for its breathtaking vistas. If you visit in autumn, the Woolly Worm Festival in Banner Elk is a quirky local tradition celebrating these caterpillars' winter weather predictions.

Healthcare

Avery County, located in the scenic mountains of western North Carolina, is a smaller rural community with a well-rounded healthcare infrastructure designed to meet the needs of its population. Though not as extensive as urban areas, its healthcare system remains committed to providing quality medical services to its residents.

The central point for healthcare in Avery County is the Charles A. Cannon Jr. Memorial Hospital in Linville, managed by Appalachian Regional Healthcare System (ARHS). Cannon Memorial Hospital offers comprehensive medical services, from emergency care to specialized treatments. It boasts a 24/7 emergency department, surgical, imaging, and specialized healthcare services.

Cannon Memorial Hospital is also recognized for its comprehensive rehabilitation services, including physical, occupational, and speech therapy. Its integrative healthcare approach involves a patient-centered focus, involving patients and their families in every step of the care process. The hospital's Skilled Rehabilitation unit provides a comforting environment for individuals requiring long-term care, rehabilitation, or recovery services.

In terms of outpatient care, ARHS operates several clinics in Avery County. For example, Baker Center for Primary Care in Linville is staffed by internal medicine and family practice physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants, providing preventive care, wellness exams, chronic disease management, and acute illness treatment.

The county also hosts specialty clinics like Appalachian Regional Pulmonology and Elk River Medical Associates, addressing more specific medical needs. Seby B. Jones Regional Cancer Center, located in neighboring Watauga County, also serves the residents of Avery County, offering radiation oncology, medical oncology, and various support services.

Avery County Health Department is another pillar of the local healthcare system, offering a broad array of services to improve the community's overall public health. It provides various preventative care services, health education programs, women's health services, immunizations, nutritional counseling, and other important health services. The department also plays a key role in addressing public health crises and educating the community about important health issues.

For mental health and substance abuse services, residents in Avery County have access to organizations like Daymark Recovery Services, which provides crisis intervention, counseling, psychiatric services, and substance abuse services. Vaya Health, a publicly managed care organization, coordinates mental health services for the county.

Furthermore, several pharmacies, like the Avery County Pharmacy, ensure the local community has ready access to prescription medications, over-the-counter drugs, and other healthcare products. They also play an important role in providing health education and advice to the community.

In terms of aged care, Life Care Center of Banner Elk offers a mix of short-term and long-term care services, including inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation and nursing home care. It provides a range of therapies, including physical, occupational, and speech therapy, to help residents regain independence and quality of life.

While Avery County might not have the vast medical facilities in urban areas, its healthcare infrastructure suits the community's needs. The country's healthcare facilities provide a balanced mix of emergency care, primary care, specialized medical, mental health, and public health programs.

As a rural county, Avery faces unique healthcare challenges, such as limited access to certain specialty services and patient transportation difficulties. Nevertheless, the county's medical facilities, from the local hospital to the health department, primary care centers, and specialized clinics, all work cooperatively to improve health outcomes and enhance the quality of life for all Avery County, North Carolina residents.

Area Hospitals
  • Adventhealth Hendersonville, 100 Hospital Dr, Hendersonville, NC, 28792, (828) 684-8501

  • Asheville Specialty Hospital, 428 Biltmore Ave # 4, Asheville, NC, 28801, (828) 213-5400

  • Asheville VA Medical Ctr, 1100 Tunnel Rd, Asheville, NC, 28805, (828) 298-7911

  • Blue Ridge Regional Hospital, 125 Hospital Dr, Spruce Pine, NC, 28777, (828) 765-4201

  • Broughton Hospital, 1000 S Sterling St, Morganton, NC, 28655, (828) 433-2111

  • Caldwell UNC Health Care, 321 Mulberry St SW, Lenoir, NC, 28645, (828) 757-5100

  • Charles A Cannon Jr Meml Hosp, 434 Hospital Dr, Newland, NC, 28657, (828) 737-7000

  • Forum Health Asheville, 1312 Patton Ave, Asheville, NC, 28806, (828) 252-9833

  • Mission Children's Hospital, 11 Vanderbilt Park Dr, Asheville, NC, 28803, (828) 213-1740

  • Mission Hospital Mcdowell, 430 Rankin Dr, Marion, NC, 28752, (828) 659-5000

  • Mission Hospital, 509 Biltmore Ave, Asheville, NC, 28801, (828) 213-1111

  • Pardee UNC Health Care, 800 N Justice St, Hendersonville, NC, 28791, (828) 696-1000

  • St Luke's Hospital, 101 Hospital Dr, Columbus, NC, 28722, (828) 894-3311

  • St Lukes Hospital, 101 Hospital Dr, Columbus, NC, 28722, (828) 894-3311

  • UNC Health Blue Ridge, 2201 S Sterling St, Morganton, NC, 28655, (828) 580-5000

  • UNC Health Care Blue Ridge, 720 Malcolm Blvd, Valdese, NC, 28690, (828) 580-7640

Area Medical Clinics
  • AMCHC, 225 Patton Ave # 200, Asheville, NC, 28801, (828) 412-5315

  • Apex Brain Ctr, 600 Julian Ln # 650, Arden, NC, 28704, (828) 708-5274

  • Asheville Cardiology Assoc-MRN, 472 Rankin Dr # Entrance3, Marion, NC, 28752, (828) 652-0005

  • Asheville Cardiology Assoc, 189 Hospital Dr # 2ndfloor, Spruce Pine, NC, 28777, (828) 274-6000

  • Asheville Cardiology Assoc, 387 US 70 W, Marion, NC, 28752, (828) 274-6000

  • Asheville Cardiology Assoc, 589 Peniel Rd, Columbus, NC, 28722, (828) 274-6000

  • Asheville Children's Med Ctr, 7 Vanderbilt Park Dr # 100a, Asheville, NC, 28803, (828) 258-0969

  • Asheville Orthopaedic Assoc, 1 Hospital Dr, Asheville, NC, 28801, (828) 252-7331

  • Asheville Orthopaedic Assoc, 2315 Asheville Hwy, Hendersonville, NC, 28791, (828) 782-9330

  • Asheville Orthopaedic Assoc, 472 Rankin Dr # Entrance3, Marion, NC, 28752, (828) 252-7331

  • Atrium Health At Hm-Hm Med, 141 Fiddlers Run Blvd, Morganton, NC, 28655, (828) 879-9050

  • Atrium Health At Home, 141 Fiddlers Run Blvd, Morganton, NC, 28655, (828) 580-6450

  • Atrium Health Shelby Women's, 446 N Carolina 108, Rutherfordton, NC, 28139, (980) 487-2570

  • Blue Ridge Med Ctr Mayland, , Spruce Pine, NC, 28777, (828) 765-4113

  • Blue Ridge Med Ctr Yancy Cmps, 800 Medical Campus Dr, Burnsville, NC, 28714, (828) 682-0200

  • Blue Ridge Med Ctr-Yancey Cmps, 125 Hospital Dr, Spruce Pine, NC, 28777, (828) 765-4201

  • Carolina Spine & Neurosurgery, 2315 Asheville Hwy, Hendersonville, NC, 28791, (828) 255-7776

  • Carolinas Healthcare Syst Blue, 1766 Connelly Springs Rd, Lenoir, NC, 28645, (828) 728-8224

  • Carolinas Medical Ctr At Hm, 141 Fiddlers Run Blvd, Morganton, NC, 28655, (828) 580-6441

  • Catawba Valley Medical Ctr, 309 S College St, Morganton, NC, 28655, (828) 326-3803

  • Fastmed Family Medicine, 160 Hendersonville Rd, Asheville, NC, 28803, (828) 210-2835

  • Gastroenterology-Mission, 11 Vanderbilt Park Dr # 2, Asheville, NC, 28803, (828) 213-1740

  • Happy Valley Medical Ctr, 1345 NC Highway 268, Lenoir, NC, 28645, (828) 754-6850

  • Keys Of Hope Medical Ctr, 295 Carson St # K, Marion, NC, 28752, (828) 659-6334

  • Levine Cancer Inst-Blue Ridge, 720 Malcolm Blvd, Connelly Springs, NC, 28612, (828) 580-7536

  • Mars Hill Medical Ctr, 119 Mountain View Rd, Mars Hill, NC, 28754, (828) 689-3507

  • Mauzy-Phillips Ctr, 125 Hospital Dr, Spruce Pine, NC, 28777, (828) 766-3555

  • Mission Children's Outpatient, 11 Vanderbilt Park Dr, Asheville, NC, 28803, (828) 213-1740

  • Mission Children's Specialists, 11 Vanderbilt Prk Dr # 2ndfloor, Asheville, NC, 28803, (828) 213-1740

  • Mission Community Medicine-Brk, 149 W Parker Rd, Morganton, NC, 28655, (828) 433-4933

  • Mission Community Medicine-Nb, 339 Nebo School Rd, Nebo, NC, 28761, (828) 652-6326

  • Mission Community Orthopedics, 189 Hospital Dr # 2ndfloor, Spruce Pine, NC, 28777, (828) 766-3555

  • Mission Community Urological, 189 Hospital Dr # 2ndfloor, Spruce Pine, NC, 28777, (828) 766-3555

  • Mission Health Ctr Highway 70, 387 US 70 W, Marion, NC, 28752, (828) 652-6386

  • Mission Health Ctr Sugar Hill, 1633 Sugar Hill Rd, Marion, NC, 28752, (828) 652-7776

  • Mission Health Mauzy-Phillips, 189 Hospital Dr # 2ndfloor, Spruce Pine, NC, 28777, (828) 766-3555

  • Mission Health Partners, 50 Schenck Pkwy, Asheville, NC, 28803, (828) 213-3250

  • Mission Hospital-Smoking, 1 Hospital Dr, Asheville, NC, 28801, (828) 213-5527

  • Mission Hospital-St Joseph, 428 Biltmore Ave, Asheville, NC, 28801, (828) 213-1111

  • Mission Medical Oncology, 430 Rankin Dr # Entrance3, Marion, NC, 28752, (800) 506-2550

  • Mission Neurology Svc, 509 Biltmore Ave, Asheville, NC, 28801, (828) 213-1439

  • Mission Neurology-Outpatient, 1 Hospital Dr # 3200, Asheville, NC, 28801, (828) 213-9530

  • Mission Orthopedic Trauma Svc, 1 Hospital Dr # 4200, Asheville, NC, 28801, (828) 213-1994

  • Mission Outpatient Svc Sugar, 1633 Sugar Hill Rd # Entranceb, Marion, NC, 28752, (828) 252-7331

  • Mission St Joseph's Health, 890 Hendersonville Rd, Asheville, NC, 28803, (828) 274-7026

  • Mission Urology-Asheville, 1 Hospital Dr # 4100, Asheville, NC, 28801, (828) 254-8883

  • Mission Urology-Mcdowell, 472 Rankin Dr # Entrance3, Marion, NC, 28752, (828) 659-5700

  • Mission Weight Management, 1 Hospital Dr # 3400, Asheville, NC, 28801, (828) 213-4100

  • Mission Women's Care-Spruce Pn, 189 Hospital Dr # 2ndfloor, Spruce Pine, NC, 28777, (828) 766-3555

  • Mission Workwell-Medical Park, 2 Medical Park Dr # 102, Asheville, NC, 28803, (828) 213-9600

  • Occupational Medicine Ctr, 288 S Ridgecrest Ave, Rutherfordton, NC, 28139, (828) 286-5508

  • Sloop Medical Office Plaza, 436 Hospital Dr, Newland, NC, 28657, (828) 733-0280

  • Stonecreek Health & Rehab LLC, 455 Victoria Rd, Asheville, NC, 28801, (828) 225-3829

  • Surgical Specialist-Carolina, 1998 Hendersonville Rd # 40, Asheville, NC, 28803, (828) 585-2575

  • Valdese Patient Svc Ctr, 730 Malcolm Blvd # 160, Rutherford College, NC, 28671, (828) 580-7456

  • Whiteville Medical Offices LLC, 1978 Hendersonville Rd # 130, Asheville, NC, 28803, Not Available

Individual/Family Common Questions

North Carolina Healthcare News & Guides

Individual & Family Plans

Avery County ZIP Codes include: 28616, 28622, 28641, 28646, 28647, 28652, 28653, 28657, 28662, and 28664

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