Find Your Most Affordable Health Insurance Plan in Burke County
in North Carolina
Burke 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 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.
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.
in North Carolina
Find affordable health insurance in Burke County, NC with Health Plans of NC. Health Plans of NC helps Burke County, NC residents compare and enroll in health insurance coverage at no cost, connecting families and individuals to plans that work with local providers like UNC Health Blue Ridge in Morganton and Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center Burke.
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 |
Burke County is home to 87,863 residents, a community that has grown 0.3 percent since 2020 and includes 5.6 percent foreign-born residents who may need guidance navigating health coverage options. Major employers in the county include Broughton Hospital operated by NCDHHS, Burke County Public Schools, Blue Ridge Healthcare Hospitals, Case Farms Processing, and Burke County government, each presenting different coverage situations for their workers and dependents. Residents who do not receive coverage through these employers, or who need to supplement their workplace benefits, have several pathways to comprehensive health insurance through the ACA Marketplace, Medicaid, COBRA, and other options.
ACA Marketplace coverage is available for Burke County residents who are self-employed, work part-time at Case Farms Processing, or do not receive benefits through their employer.
Medicaid coverage connects qualifying low-income Burke County adults and families to providers including the Burke County Health Department and Partners Behavioral Health Management.
Employer-sponsored coverage is available to many Burke County residents working for major employers such as Broughton Hospital, Burke County Public Schools, and Blue Ridge Healthcare Hospitals.
COBRA continuation coverage allows Burke County residents who lose employer-sponsored benefits from employers like Burke County government to maintain their existing plan temporarily.
Short-term health plans may provide a bridge for Burke County residents between jobs or awaiting open enrollment, though these plans do not meet ACA standards and offer limited protections.
Small business SHOP Marketplace plans are available for Burke County small business owners who want to offer group health benefits to their employees and gain access to federal tax credits.
For 2026, Burke County residents can choose from 17 plans offered by Blue Cross NC across three distinct plan networks, each designed to serve different coverage preferences and provider access needs. The available networks include Blue Advantage, Blue Care, and Blue Value, giving residents options ranging from broad nationwide PPO access to value-focused HMO coverage that prioritizes lower monthly costs. Each network connects Burke County enrollees to key local facilities including UNC Health Blue Ridge in Morganton, Broughton Hospital, Caldwell UNC Health Care in Lenoir, and the UNC Health Care Blue Ridge campus in Valdese.
Blue Advantage, a PPO, offers the largest nationwide network with more than 95 percent of North Carolina doctors in-network, including physicians at UNC Health Blue Ridge and surrounding regional facilities.
Blue Care, a PPO, provides broad statewide network coverage with more than 92 percent of North Carolina doctors in-network, supporting access to providers across Burke County and neighboring communities.
Blue Value, an HMO, delivers value-focused coverage with lower monthly premiums, connecting Burke County residents to a defined local network of providers including those affiliated with Blue Ridge Healthcare Hospitals.
All three plan networks include access to key Burke County facilities such as UNC Health Blue Ridge at 2201 S Sterling St in Morganton and the UNC Health Care Blue Ridge campus in Valdese.
Burke County residents with specific specialty care needs, such as oncology services at the Levine Cancer Institute at Blue Ridge in Connelly Springs, should confirm in-network status for their preferred providers when selecting a network.
Health Plans of NC agents can compare all three Blue Cross NC networks side by side to help Burke County residents select the plan that keeps their preferred doctors and hospitals in-network at the lowest available cost.
Bronze plans in Burke County start at approximately $491.92/month before subsidies. With a median household income of $55,684, many residents qualify for premium tax credits. Subsidies may reduce your monthly premium significantly based on income.
Bronze plans in Burke County start at $491.92 per month for a 35-year-old before subsidies, offering the lowest premiums with higher out-of-pocket costs when care is needed.
Silver plans start at $644.87 per month before subsidies and are the only tier eligible for cost-sharing reductions, which lower deductibles and copays for qualifying enrollees.
Gold plans start at $669.68 per month before subsidies and feature lower out-of-pocket costs at the time of care, making them a strong fit for residents who use medical services frequently.
Burke County residents whose household income falls between 100 and 400 percent of the federal poverty level qualify for premium tax credits that reduce monthly marketplace costs based on household size and income relative to the county median of $55,684.
Households earning between 100 and 250 percent of the federal poverty level may qualify for cost-sharing reductions on Silver plans, lowering deductibles and copays for services at local providers.
Some lower-income Burke County residents may qualify for a $0 premium Silver plan after enhanced premium tax credits are applied, providing comprehensive coverage including emergency care, mental health services, and maternity care at no monthly cost.
For 2026, Blue Cross NC is the sole carrier offering ACA-compliant Marketplace plans in Burke County, with 17 plans available to individuals and families across the county. These 17 plans are organized across three networks: Blue Advantage, a PPO with the largest nationwide coverage; Blue Care, a PPO with broad statewide reach; and Blue Value, an HMO focused on lower-premium local network access. Each network is designed to connect Burke County residents to different tiers of provider access, from nationwide PPO flexibility under Blue Advantage to the more defined local network structure of the Blue Value HMO. Choosing the right network matters significantly in Burke County given the spread of care across Morganton, Valdese, and neighboring Lenoir, where out-of-network costs at regional facilities can be substantial. Health Plans of NC licensed agents compare every available Blue Cross NC plan side by side at no cost, helping residents identify the plan and network that best fits their provider preferences and budget.
Blue Cross NC, doing business as Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina, offers all 17 ACA Marketplace plans available in Burke 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, and Burke County adults whose household income falls at or below 138 percent of the federal poverty level may now qualify for free or low-cost Medicaid coverage. Currently, approximately 10,000 Burke County residents, representing an uninsured rate of 11.5 percent, are without health coverage, and many of these individuals may be eligible for Medicaid or subsidized Marketplace plans they have not yet enrolled in. Children in Burke 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 comprehensive coverage for eligible minors. Health Plans of NC provides free eligibility checks for Burke County residents interested in Medicaid, CHIP, or Marketplace coverage, with no cost or obligation to enroll.
Working adults in Burke County who earn at or below 138 percent of the federal poverty level and do not have access to affordable employer coverage may qualify for full Medicaid benefits.
Children in Burke County families qualify for NC Health Choice (CHIP) if household income is up to 210 percent of the federal poverty level, providing access to pediatric care, dental, and vision services.
Pregnant women in Burke County may qualify for Medicaid coverage that includes prenatal care, labor and delivery services, and postpartum care through local providers like UNC Health Blue Ridge.
Burke County residents with disabilities or who receive Supplemental Security Income may qualify for Medicaid benefits that cover a broad range of medical, behavioral health, and long-term care services.
With a poverty rate of 17.9 percent in Burke County, a significant share of residents may qualify for Medicaid or CHIP and can confirm eligibility at no cost by contacting Health Plans of NC at 800-797-0327.
Health Plans of NC licensed agents serve Burke County residents at no cost, comparing every available plan side by side and guiding individuals and families through enrollment from start to finish. Call 800-797-0327 today to speak with an agent who knows the Burke County market and can help you find the right coverage.
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 Burke 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 |
|---|---|---|
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 |
Clinic | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
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 |
Burke County ZIP Codes include: 28612, 28619, 28628, 28637, 28655, 28666, 28671, 28680, and 28690
