
Brunswick County residents can compare 15 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 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 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 North Carolina

Find affordable health insurance in Brunswick County, NC with Health Plans of NC. Health Plans of NC helps Brunswick County residents find and enroll in affordable health insurance coverage, working directly with local employers like Brunswick County Schools and health systems like Novant Health Brunswick Medical Center to ensure residents have access to plans that fit their needs and budgets.
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 |
Brunswick County's 145,889 residents, representing a 6.7 percent increase in population since 2020, have access to a broad range of health insurance options spanning ACA Marketplace plans, Medicaid, employer-sponsored coverage, and more. Major local employers such as Brunswick County Schools, the County of Brunswick, Walmart, Brunswick Community Hospital, and Duke Energy Progress provide employer-sponsored coverage to a significant share of the workforce, while residents outside those programs can access individual coverage through the marketplace. With 3.4 percent of residents being foreign-born, Health Plans of NC offers guidance to help all Brunswick County households navigate their coverage options regardless of background or employment status.
ACA Marketplace plans are available to Brunswick County residents who do not have access to employer coverage, connecting them to local health systems including Novant Health Brunswick Medical Center and Cape Fear Valley Health.
Medicaid coverage is available to eligible low-income Brunswick County adults and children following North Carolina's expansion, providing access to primary and specialty care across the region.
Employer-sponsored health insurance is offered by major Brunswick County employers including Brunswick County Schools, the County of Brunswick, and Duke Energy Progress, covering a large portion of local workers and their families.
Short-term health coverage can serve Brunswick County residents who are between jobs, recently relocated to the area, or outside of open enrollment and need temporary protection while pursuing permanent coverage.
COBRA continuation coverage allows Brunswick County workers who separate from employers such as Walmart or Brunswick Community Hospital to temporarily maintain their existing employer plan while transitioning to a new option.
Small business SHOP plans through the ACA Marketplace are available to Brunswick County small business owners who want to offer group health benefits to their employees without the administrative complexity of large group plans.
Brunswick County residents have access to three distinct Blue Cross NC plan networks for 2026, including Blue Advantage, Blue Care, and Blue Value, each offering a different balance of provider access and plan structure. Blue Advantage and Blue Care are PPO plans that allow members to see providers across broad statewide and national networks, while Blue Value is an HMO plan designed for residents who prefer a value-focused structure with lower monthly premiums. All three networks include access to key regional facilities such as Novant Health Brunswick Medical Center in Bolivia and Dosher Memorial Hospital in Southport, making in-network care accessible throughout Brunswick County.
Blue Advantage, a PPO plan, provides access to the largest nationwide network with more than 95 percent of NC doctors in-network, including providers at Novant Health Brunswick Medical Center.
Blue Care, a PPO plan, offers a broad statewide network covering more than 92 percent of NC doctors in-network, connecting Brunswick County residents to regional facilities like Novant Health New Hanover in Wilmington.
Blue Value, an HMO plan, delivers value-focused coverage with lower monthly premiums for Brunswick County residents who are comfortable coordinating care through a primary care provider.
PPO plan structures under Blue Advantage and Blue Care give Brunswick County members the flexibility to seek care at facilities like Dosher Memorial Hospital in Southport without requiring a referral.
HMO plan structure under Blue Value is well suited for Brunswick County residents who primarily use Novant Health Brunswick Medical Center and prefer predictable, lower-cost plan design.
All three plan networks cover essential health benefits required under the ACA, ensuring Brunswick County residents have access to preventive care, emergency services, and specialist visits through in-network providers.
Bronze plans in Brunswick County start at approximately $482.73/month before subsidies. With a median household income of $74,034, many residents qualify for premium tax credits. Subsidies may reduce your monthly premium significantly based on income.
Bronze plans start at $482.73 per month for a 35-year-old in Brunswick County, offering the lowest monthly premiums with higher deductibles for those who want protection against major medical events.
Silver plans start at $620.43 per month for a 35-year-old in Brunswick County and are the only tier eligible for cost-sharing reductions, which lower out-of-pocket costs for qualifying households.
Gold plans start at $641.58 per month for a 35-year-old in Brunswick County, providing lower out-of-pocket costs throughout the year in exchange for higher monthly premiums.
Brunswick County households with a median income of $74,034 often qualify for Advance Premium Tax Credits that reduce monthly premiums across Bronze, Silver, and Gold plan tiers.
Residents with income between 100 and 150 percent of the federal poverty level may qualify for a zero-dollar premium Silver plan after enhanced tax credits are applied, making comprehensive coverage essentially free each month.
Out-of-pocket maximums for 2026 ACA plans cap annual expenses for Brunswick County residents, protecting families from catastrophic costs even when using services frequently throughout the year.
Blue Cross NC is the sole ACA Marketplace carrier offering health insurance plans in Brunswick County for 2026, with 15 individual and family plans available through the marketplace. These plans are organized across three networks including Blue Advantage, Blue Care, and Blue Value, giving residents a choice between PPO and HMO plan structures depending on their provider preferences and budget priorities. Blue Advantage and Blue Care PPO networks connect Brunswick County members to a wide range of regional hospitals and specialists, including Novant Health Brunswick Medical Center in Bolivia and Dosher Memorial Hospital in Southport, while Blue Value's HMO structure focuses coverage through a coordinated network of local and regional providers. The network a Brunswick County resident selects directly determines which hospitals and physicians are considered in-network, making it essential to verify that preferred providers are covered before enrolling. Health Plans of NC agents compare every available Blue Cross NC plan side-by-side at no cost, helping Brunswick County households select the network and coverage tier that aligns with their care needs and financial situation.
Blue Cross NC, offering 15 ACA-compliant health insurance plans in Brunswick County for 2026, including PPO options under Blue Advantage and Blue Care, and an HMO option under Blue Value.
North Carolina expanded Medicaid in December 2023, extending free or low-cost coverage to adults in Brunswick County earning up to 138 percent of the federal poverty level, opening the program to thousands of residents who were previously ineligible. Brunswick County currently has an uninsured rate of 8.0 percent, representing approximately 12,000 residents without coverage, many of whom may now qualify for Medicaid or subsidized marketplace plans without realizing it. Children in Brunswick County families earning up to 210 percent of the federal poverty level may qualify for NC Health Choice, the state's CHIP program, which provides low-cost coverage independent of marketplace enrollment. With a county poverty rate of 9.4 percent, a meaningful share of Brunswick County households may be eligible for Medicaid at little to no cost, and Health Plans of NC can perform a free eligibility check to help families determine which program fits their situation.
Working adults in Brunswick County who are employed part-time or in lower-wage roles may qualify for expanded Medicaid if their household income falls at or below 138 percent of the federal poverty level.
Children in Brunswick County whose families earn up to 210 percent of the federal poverty level are eligible for NC Health Choice, which provides comprehensive low-cost coverage including dental and vision benefits.
Pregnant women in Brunswick County may qualify for Medicaid coverage that begins immediately upon eligibility determination, covering prenatal care, delivery, and postpartum services at no cost.
Brunswick County residents aged 65 and older with limited income may qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid simultaneously, with Medicaid helping to cover premiums, copays, and services not fully covered by Medicare.
People with disabilities in Brunswick County who meet income and functional criteria may qualify for Medicaid coverage that includes long-term services and supports not available through standard marketplace plans.
Health Plans of NC licensed agents serve Brunswick County residents at no cost, comparing every available plan side-by-side and walking households through enrollment from start to finish. Call 800-797-0327 today to speak with an agent who can help you find the right coverage for your family and budget.
Call 800-797-0327 (toll free) or 704-303-8256 to speak with a licensed agent and schedule a free appointment
Email [email protected] with questions about plans available in Brunswick County
Find a licensed agent and book directly at healthplansofnc.com/agents
No cost, no pressure. Health Plans of NC agents work for you, not the carrier.
Hospital | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
Brynn Marr Hospital | 192 Village Dr, Jacksonville, NC 28546 | (910) 577-1400 |
Cape Fear Vly Bladen County | 501 S Poplar St, Elizabethtown, NC 28337 | (910) 862-5100 |
Columbus Regional Healthcare | 500 Jefferson St, Whiteville, NC 28472 | (910) 642-8011 |
Dosher Memorial Hospital | 924 N Howe St, Southport, NC 28461 | (910) 457-3800 |
ECU Health Duplin Hospital | 401 N Main St, Kenansville, NC 28349 | (910) 296-0941 |
Naval Medical Ctr Camp Lejeune | 100 Brewster Blvd, Camp Lejeune, NC 28547 | (910) 450-4357 |
New Hanover Regional Med Ctr | 2131 S 17th St, Wilmington, NC 28401 | (910) 667-7000 |
New Hanover Regl Med Ctr-Rehab | 2131 S 17th St, Wilmington, NC 28401 | (910) 667-7835 |
NHRMC Betty H Cameron Women's | 2131 S 17th St, Wilmington, NC 28401 | (910) 667-7360 |
Novant Health Brunswick Med | 240 Hospital Dr NE, Bolivia, NC 28422 | (910) 721-1000 |
Novant Health New Hanover | 5301 Wrightsville Ave, Wilmington, NC 28403 | (910) 667-8100 |
Onslow Memorial Hospital | 317 Western Blvd, Jacksonville, NC 28546 | (910) 577-2345 |
Pender Memorial Hospital | 507 E Fremont St, Burgaw, NC 28425 | (910) 259-5451 |
Sampson Regional Medical Ctr | 607 Beaman St, Clinton, NC 28328 | (910) 592-8511 |
Southeastern Regional Med Ctr | 300 W 27th St, Lumberton, NC 28358 | (910) 671-5000 |
UNC Health Southeastern | 4300 Fayetteville Rd, Lumberton, NC 28358 | (910) 608-3078 |
Brunswick County ZIP Codes include: 28420, 28422, 28451, 28452, 28459, 28461, 28462, 28465, 28467, 28468, 28469, 28470, and 28479