Find Your Most Affordable Health Insurance Plan in Caldwell County
in North Carolina
Caldwell County residents can compare 18 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 North Carolina
Find affordable health insurance in Caldwell County, NC with Health Plans of NC. Health Plans of NC helps Caldwell County, NC residents find affordable health coverage that fits their lives, whether they receive care at Caldwell UNC Health Care in Lenoir or work for major local employers like Merchants Distributors or Bernhardt Furniture. Our licensed agents guide you through every available option at no cost, from ACA Marketplace plans to Medicaid, so you can enroll with confidence.
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 |
Caldwell County is home to 80,618 residents across Lenoir and surrounding communities, with a population that has held essentially stable at -0.0% growth since 2020 and a foreign-born resident share of 3.3%. Major employers including Merchants Distributors, Caldwell County Schools, Rex Healthcare, Bernhardt Furniture, and Walmart provide a mix of employer-sponsored and individually purchased coverage needs throughout the county. Residents can also access care through two primary health systems, Caldwell UNC Health Care and Atrium Health, making local provider network fit an important factor when selecting a plan.
ACA Marketplace coverage is available for Caldwell County residents who do not receive insurance through employers like Merchants Distributors or Caldwell County Schools and need individual or family plans.
Medicaid coverage provides free or low-cost health insurance for qualifying low-income adults and families in Caldwell County following North Carolina's Medicaid expansion.
Employer-sponsored group health insurance is offered by major Caldwell County employers including Walmart, Rex Healthcare, and Bernhardt Furniture as part of employee compensation packages.
COBRA continuation coverage allows Caldwell County workers who lose employer-sponsored benefits from local companies to temporarily maintain their existing group health plan.
Short-term health plans provide temporary coverage for Caldwell County residents in transition periods, such as those between jobs at local employers or waiting for new benefits to begin.
Small business SHOP plans are available for small employers in Caldwell County who want to offer group health benefits to their employees through the ACA marketplace.
For 2026, Caldwell County 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 premium structures. Blue Advantage and Blue Care are PPO plans that allow access to both local facilities like Caldwell UNC Health Care in Lenoir and regional providers including UNC Health Blue Ridge in Morganton and Mission Hospital in Asheville, while Blue Value is an HMO plan designed for residents seeking lower monthly premiums with a more defined network. Comparing which network includes your preferred local doctors and specialists is essential before enrolling, and Health Plans of NC agents can verify in-network status for any provider at no cost.
Blue Advantage, a PPO plan, offers the largest nationwide network with over 95% of North Carolina doctors in-network, including providers at Caldwell UNC Health Care in Lenoir.
Blue Care, a PPO plan, provides a broad statewide network with over 92% of North Carolina doctors in-network, covering access to regional facilities like UNC Health Blue Ridge in Morganton.
Blue Value, an HMO plan, is a value-focused option with lower monthly premiums, suited for Caldwell County residents who prefer a structured network and predictable costs.
PPO plans under Blue Advantage and Blue Care allow Caldwell County residents to see specialists and out-of-area providers without a referral, offering greater flexibility for those using multiple facilities.
The Blue Value HMO network is best suited for Caldwell County residents whose primary care and specialist needs are concentrated within the defined local and regional provider network.
All three plan networks include access to Atrium Health facilities serving the Caldwell County area, making them viable options for residents who rely on Atrium-affiliated care.
Bronze plans in Caldwell County start at approximately $522.41/month before subsidies. With a median household income of $55,401, many residents qualify for premium tax credits. Subsidies may reduce your monthly premium significantly based on income.
Bronze plans start at $522.41 per month before subsidies for a 35-year-old, offering the lowest premiums with higher deductibles for those who want protection against major medical costs.
Silver plans start at $671.42 per month before subsidies for a 35-year-old and are the only tier eligible for cost-sharing reductions, which lower deductibles and copays for qualifying residents.
Gold plans start at $694.31 per month before subsidies for a 35-year-old, providing higher monthly premiums in exchange for lower out-of-pocket costs when care is needed.
Residents earning between 100% and 400% of the federal poverty level qualify for premium tax credits that can reduce monthly costs well below the published starting prices.
Some Caldwell County residents at lower income levels may qualify for $0 premium Silver plans after tax credits are applied, making comprehensive coverage available at no monthly cost.
Caldwell County's median household income of $55,401 means many working families should check their subsidy eligibility before assuming any plan tier is out of reach financially.
Blue Cross NC is the sole ACA Marketplace carrier serving Caldwell County for 2026, offering 18 compliant individual and family plans across the county. These 18 plans are organized across three networks, Blue Advantage, Blue Care, and Blue Value, giving residents a choice between PPO structures with broad statewide access and an HMO structure with lower monthly premiums. Blue Advantage and Blue Care PPO networks connect Caldwell County residents to local providers including Caldwell UNC Health Care in Lenoir and Atrium Health facilities, as well as regional hospitals such as UNC Health Blue Ridge in Morganton and Mission Hospital in Asheville. The network you select determines which doctors, specialists, and hospitals are covered at in-network rates, so choosing the right network for your regular providers is as important as comparing premiums. Health Plans of NC compares every available Blue Cross NC plan side-by-side at no cost to help Caldwell County residents find the option that best matches their healthcare needs and budget.
Blue Cross NC (Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina), offering PPO and HMO plan types across Blue Advantage, Blue Care, and Blue Value networks, with 18 plans available in Caldwell County for 2026.
North Carolina expanded Medicaid in December 2023, extending free or low-cost coverage to adults earning up to 138% of the federal poverty level, including many working Caldwell County residents who previously had no affordable coverage option. Currently 11.3% of Caldwell County residents, approximately 9,000 people, remain uninsured, and a meaningful portion of them may already qualify for Medicaid or heavily subsidized marketplace coverage. 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 kids whose families earn too much for Medicaid. Health Plans of NC offers free eligibility checks for Caldwell County residents who want to find out whether Medicaid, CHIP, or a subsidized marketplace plan is the best fit for their household.
Working adults in Caldwell County earning at or below 138% of the federal poverty level may now qualify for full Medicaid coverage following the December 2023 NC Medicaid expansion.
Children in Caldwell County families earning up to 210% of the federal poverty level may qualify for NC Health Choice CHIP coverage at little or no cost.
Pregnant women in Caldwell County may qualify for Medicaid coverage that begins immediately upon eligibility determination, covering prenatal and delivery care at local facilities.
Caldwell County residents with disabilities or certain qualifying medical conditions may be eligible for Medicaid regardless of age, providing comprehensive coverage for ongoing healthcare needs.
With a poverty rate of 12.7% in Caldwell County, a significant share of residents may qualify for Medicaid at no cost or for deeply subsidized marketplace plans, and Health Plans of NC can confirm eligibility at no charge.
Health Plans of NC licensed agents serve Caldwell County residents at no cost, comparing all 18 available plans side-by-side and guiding you through enrollment so you never pay more than necessary for your coverage. Call us today at 800-797-0327 to get a free personalized quote and find the plan that works best for your household.
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 Caldwell 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 |
Caldwell County ZIP Codes include: 28611, 28630, 28633, 28638, 28645, 28661, and 28667
