Find an Affordable Health Insurance Plan in Catawba County
in North Carolina
Nationwide (BlueCard®)
Blue Advantage® is a PPO health plan from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (Blue Cross NC) offering the company's largest nationwide network of doctors, specialists, and hospitals. More than 95% of North Carolina doctors and 98% of North Carolina hospitals are in-network, and coverage travels with you nationwide through the BlueCard® program, which is accepted in nearly 200 countries and territories worldwide.
Because it's a PPO, Blue Advantage gives you the fewest restrictions on which doctors you can see: no referrals to see a specialist, and out-of-network care is still covered (at a lower benefit level). It typically carries a higher premium than Blue Cross NC's in-state-only plans, so it's the plan we recommend when provider choice and nationwide access matter more than getting the lowest possible premium.
Blue Advantage is built for people who want the fewest restrictions on which doctors they can see. It's a strong fit if you travel frequently for work or split time between two states, have an established specialist relationship you don't want to disrupt, want emergency care covered at the in-network rate anywhere in the world, or simply value provider choice over the lowest possible monthly premium.
It's a weaker fit if you rarely leave North Carolina and don't need nationwide access. In that case, Blue Care offers nearly identical in-state provider access at a lower premium, and one of the regional Blue Home plans may lower your premium even further if your doctors belong to a single health system.
Nationwide network – Nationwide (BlueCard®)
Network: Anywhere in the U.S. and abroad2; 95%+ of NC doctors.1
Out-of-area care: Covered (lower benefit level).
Offered in Bronze, Silver, and Gold tiers.
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 in all North Carolina counties, except the following where it is available only off Marketplace: Alamance, Caswell, Chatham, Durham, Franklin, Johnston, Lee, Orange, Person, and Wake.
Blue Advantage is a PPO, which means you don't need a referral to see a specialist, and you're never limited to a single network — you're just paying more if you step outside it. If you see an in-network provider, you get the plan's full benefit level. If you see someone out-of-network, the plan still pays, just at a reduced benefit level, and you're responsible for the difference.
Because Blue Cross NC has more than 95% of North Carolina doctors and 98% of North Carolina hospitals in-network, most members rarely need to use that out-of-network benefit — but it's there if your situation calls for it.
Blue Advantage is the only Blue Cross NC individual plan built for people who leave the state. Through the BlueCard® program, your in-network benefits travel with you anywhere in the U.S. — so if you split time between two states, have kids away at college, or travel for work, you're not stuck finding a new plan or a new doctor.
Emergency care is covered at the in-network rate worldwide, including in nearly 200 countries and territories through BlueCard Worldwide®.
Blue Advantage typically carries a higher premium than Blue Cross NC's in-state-only plans like Blue Care® or the regional Blue Home℠ plans. That's the trade-off for the broadest network and out-of-network safety net Blue Cross NC offers. Like every Blue Cross NC ACA plan, it's available in Bronze, Silver, and Gold tiers, and most applicants qualify for a premium tax credit that lowers the monthly cost based on income and household size.
If nationwide access isn't something you need, it's worth comparing Blue Advantage against Blue Care or a Blue Home plan first — you may get nearly identical in-state coverage for meaningfully less.
You can enroll during the annual Open Enrollment Period (November 1 – January 15) or during a Special Enrollment Period if you've had a qualifying life event — a job change, a move, a new dependent, or losing other coverage.
A licensed Health Plans of NC agent can confirm your specific doctors are in-network, check what subsidy you qualify for, and compare Blue Advantage against the other six Blue Cross NC plans with you — at no cost. Call 800-797-0327.
Blue Advantage is a PPO (Preferred Provider Organization) plan. That means you can see out-of-network providers — you’ll just pay more — and you generally don’t need a referral to see a specialist. It’s the most flexible network Blue Cross NC offers.
Yes. Blue Advantage includes nationwide in-network access through the BlueCard® program, and emergency care is always covered at the in-network benefit level no matter where you are — including in nearly 200 countries and territories worldwide.
Yes, Blue Advantage is available in all 100 North Carolina counties. In 25 of them it’s available off-Marketplace only, meaning you’d enroll directly (through an agent or Blue Cross NC) rather than through HealthCare.gov. A Health Plans of NC agent can handle either path for you.
Both give you nearly the same broad in-state network (about 95% of NC doctors), but Blue Advantage is a PPO that adds nationwide out-of-network coverage, while Blue Care is an HMO limited to North Carolina with no out-of-network benefit except emergencies. Blue Advantage costs a bit more for that added flexibility.
Our recommendation: choose Blue Advantage if you travel, split time between states, or want maximum provider choice; choose Blue Care if you stay in NC and want to save on premium.
Statewide NC network
Blue Care® is an HMO health plan from Blue Cross NC that offers the company's largest in-state network — more than 95% of North Carolina doctors and 98% of NC hospitals in-network — at a lower monthly premium than the nationwide Blue Advantage PPO.
The trade-off for that lower premium is that Blue Care keeps your care inside North Carolina: outside of urgent and emergency situations, only in-network NC providers are covered, and there's no out-of-network benefit. For NC residents who rarely travel, Blue Care delivers almost the same broad provider choice as Blue Advantage for less money — which is why we often recommend it as the best-value option for people who stay in-state.
Blue Care fits residents who live and receive their care entirely within North Carolina, want broad in-state provider choice without paying for nationwide coverage they won't use, and are comfortable with no out-of-network benefit outside of emergencies.
It's a poor fit if you split time between states, have kids at out-of-state college, or travel frequently for work — non-emergency care outside North Carolina isn't covered. If that's you, Blue Advantage is the better choice.
Statewide network – Statewide NC network
Network: North Carolina only. A large network, with more than 95% of North Carolina doctors and 98% of North Carolina hospitals in-network.
Out-of-area care: Emergency / urgent only.
Offered in Bronze, Silver, and Gold tiers.
Blue Care is available in all North Carolina counties, except: Alamance, Caswell, Chatham, Durham, Franklin, Johnston, Lee, Orange, Person, and Wake.
Blue Care is an HMO built on Blue Cross NC's largest in-state network — more than 95% of North Carolina doctors and 98% of NC hospitals in-network. It's priced lower than the nationwide Blue Advantage PPO because it trades nationwide access for coverage that stays inside North Carolina.
Outside of emergency and urgent care, only in-network NC providers are covered — there's no out-of-network benefit to fall back on, so it's worth confirming your specific doctors participate before you enroll.
Blue Care is sold in every NC county except Alamance, Caswell, Chatham, Durham, Franklin, Johnston, Lee, Orange, Person, and Wake — those counties fall inside the Triangle-area service area for the Blue Home℠ with UNC Health Alliance plan instead. If you live in one of the excluded counties, Blue Care isn't available to you regardless of which providers you use.
Because the in-state network is nearly as broad as Blue Advantage's, most Blue Care members never notice a difference in provider choice day to day — the difference only shows up if you need care outside North Carolina.
Blue Care's premium runs lower than Blue Advantage's specifically because it removes the nationwide and out-of-network safety net. It's offered in Bronze, Silver, and Gold tiers, and most applicants qualify for a premium tax credit that lowers the monthly cost based on income and household size.
You can enroll during the annual Open Enrollment Period (November 1 – January 15) or during a Special Enrollment Period if you've had a qualifying life event — a job change, a move, a new dependent, or losing other coverage.
A licensed Health Plans of NC agent can confirm your doctors are in-network, check your subsidy, and compare Blue Care against Blue Advantage and the regional plans — at no cost. Call 800-797-0327.
Yes. Blue Care is structured as an HMO with a statewide North Carolina network. Outside of urgent and emergency situations, care is only covered when you use in-network NC providers.
Only urgent and emergency care is covered outside your Blue Care network. Routine or non-emergency care while traveling out of state is not covered, so Blue Care is best for people who receive their care in North Carolina.
Blue Care isn’t offered in Alamance, Caswell, Chatham, Durham, Franklin, Johnston, Lee, Orange, Person, or Wake counties. In several of those counties, Blue Home℠ with UNC Health Alliance is offered instead.
Limited statewide network
Blue Value℠ is a Blue Cross NC plan offering a limited statewide network at a lower monthly premium than broader-network options. The network includes Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist, CaroMont Health, Duke Health Lake Norman Regional Medical Center, Duke LifePoint Healthcare, Novant Health, and UNC Health Alliance — but it does not include the rest of Atrium Health, the rest of Duke Health, or WakeMed Health.
Unlike the single-system Blue Home℠ plans, Blue Value spans several regional systems, but it's still a limited network built to keep premiums low. We recommend it for generally healthy individuals and families who prioritize the lowest premium and are flexible about which specific doctors and hospitals they use — as long as you confirm your providers are in the Blue Value network first.
Good fit if you're generally healthy and rarely need specialist care, prioritize the lowest possible premium over provider choice, and are flexible about which specific doctors and hospitals you use.
Poor fit if you're managing an ongoing condition and want a stable relationship with one large hospital system, or if your regular doctors are with the excluded parts of Atrium Health, Duke Health, or WakeMed.
Limited network – Limited statewide network
Network: A limited multi-system NC network.
Out-of-area care: Emergency services and urgent care outside of NC are covered at the in-network benefit level. All other non-emergency covered services are covered at the out-of-network benefit level.
Offered in Bronze, Silver, and Gold tiers.
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 Value trades network breadth for the lowest premium among Blue Cross NC's individual plans. Unlike the single-system Blue Home and Blue Local℠ plans, it spans several regional health systems rather than just one — but the network is still limited. Care from providers outside the Blue Value network is covered only at the higher-cost out-of-network benefit level, so you pay the least by staying with the specific systems in the network.
The Blue Value network includes Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist, CaroMont Health, Duke LifePoint Healthcare (including Lake Norman Regional Medical Center), Novant Health, and UNC Health Alliance. It does not include the rest of Atrium Health, the rest of Duke Health, or WakeMed Health — so a provider being “Atrium” or “Duke” isn't enough to confirm coverage; the specific facility matters.
Because the network mixes several systems rather than centering on one, this plan works best for people who don't have an established relationship with a specific health system and are comfortable confirming coverage facility-by-facility.
Blue Value is generally the lowest-premium option Blue Cross NC offers, which makes it attractive if you're healthy and expect to use care infrequently. It's offered in Bronze, Silver, and Gold tiers, and most applicants qualify for a premium tax credit based on income and household size.
This plan is available across 15 counties, mostly in the western Piedmont and southeastern coastal areas of the state.
You can enroll during the annual Open Enrollment Period (November 1 – January 15) or during a Special Enrollment Period if you've had a qualifying life event — a job change, a move, a new dependent, or losing other coverage.
A licensed Health Plans of NC agent can confirm your specific providers are in the Blue Value network, check your subsidy, and compare this plan against the others — at no cost. Call 800-797-0327.
Blue Value is positioned as a lower-premium option because it uses a limited network. Whether it’s actually the cheapest for you depends on your age, county, and subsidy eligibility, so get a personalized quote to confirm.
The Blue Value network includes Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist, CaroMont Health, Duke Health Lake Norman Regional Medical Center, Duke LifePoint Healthcare, Novant Health, and UNC Health Alliance. It does not include the rest of Atrium Health, the rest of Duke Health, or WakeMed Health.
Emergency and urgent care are covered at the in-network rate anywhere. All other care outside North Carolina is covered only at the higher out-of-network benefit level, so Blue Value is best for people who get their care in NC.
Every Blue Cross NC individual plan comes in three “metal” tiers that describe how you and the plan split covered costs. Bronze plans have the lowest monthly premium but pay about 60% of covered costs, so you pay roughly 40% when you use care. Silver plans pay about 70% (you pay ~30%), and Gold plans pay about 80% (you pay ~20%) in exchange for a higher premium.
As a rule of thumb: Bronze suits people who rarely use care and want the lowest premium, Gold suits people who use regular or ongoing care, and Silver is the middle ground. Silver is also the only tier that unlocks Cost-Sharing Reductions (CSRs) — extra savings on deductibles and copays if your income qualifies — so many subsidy-eligible shoppers get the best overall value from a Silver plan. A licensed Health Plans of NC agent can run the numbers for your situation at no cost.
The most important step before choosing any plan is confirming your doctors, specialists, and preferred hospitals are in that plan’s network. Networks differ a lot between Blue Cross NC plans — a doctor who is in-network on one plan may be out-of-network, and far more expensive, on another.
You can check each plan’s provider directory on bcbsnc.com, or — the easier route — call a Health Plans of NC agent at 800-797-0327 and we’ll verify your specific providers before you enroll, at no charge.
Most North Carolinians who buy their own coverage qualify for a premium tax credit — a subsidy based on your income and household size that lowers what you pay each month. Subsidy amounts and eligibility rules can change from year to year, so the only way to know your real price is to run a personalized quote.
Health Plans of NC can check your subsidy eligibility and show you the after-subsidy premium for any of these plans for free. Call 800-797-0327 or request a quote online.
You can enroll during the annual Open Enrollment Period, which runs each fall (generally starting November 1) for coverage that begins the following year. Outside that window, you can still enroll if you have a qualifying life event — such as losing other coverage, moving, marriage, or having a baby — which opens a 60-day Special Enrollment Period.
Because enrollment dates and rules can change, it’s worth confirming the current deadline. A Health Plans of NC agent can tell you whether you’re eligible to enroll right now — call 800-797-0327.
Nothing. Health Plans of North Carolina is an independent, authorized agency licensed to sell Blue Cross NC plans, and our help — comparing plans, checking your doctors, estimating subsidies, and enrolling — is completely free to you. Agents are paid by the insurance company, and the plan price is the same whether you enroll with us or on your own.
Call 800-797-0327 to talk with a licensed local agent.
| Carrier | Distinct plans |
|---|---|
| Blue Cross and Blue Shield of NC | 27 |
| Ambetter of North Carolina | 15 |
| UnitedHealthcare | 13 |
| AmeriHealth Caritas Next | 8 |
| Total | 63 |
Source: CMS QHP Landscape PY2026, Individual Market Medical, updated August 26, 2026 (data.healthcare.gov). Counts distinct Plan IDs offered on the Marketplace in Catawba County, once per carrier.
in North Carolina
Find affordable health insurance in Catawba County, NC with Health Plans of NC. Health Plans of NC helps Catawba County residents find affordable health insurance coverage that fits their needs and budget, with access to local health systems like Catawba Valley Medical Center. Whether you are employed at Corning Optical Communications, self-employed, or between jobs, Health Plans of NC can guide you to the right plan at no cost.
Plan Network | Type | Network Coverage |
|---|---|---|
Blue Advantage® | PPO | Largest nationwide network, 95%+ of NC doctors in-network |
Blue Care® | HMO | Broad statewide network, 95%+ of NC doctors in-network |
Blue Value℠ | POS | Value-focused HMO with lower premiums |
Catawba County is home to 162,051 residents, a population that has grown 0.9 percent since 2020, with 6.7 percent of residents being foreign-born, reflecting the county's diverse and expanding community. Major employers including Corning Optical Communications, Catawba Valley Medical Center, Catawba County Schools, Catawba County Government, and Walmart provide a range of employment situations that shape how residents access health coverage. Health Plans of NC works with Catawba County residents across all coverage types to ensure they have access to providers including Catawba Valley Medical Center and Frye Regional Medical Center.
ACA Marketplace plans through Blue Cross NC offer comprehensive individual and family coverage for self-employed residents, part-time workers at local businesses, and those not covered through an employer.
Medicaid coverage provides free or low-cost health benefits to income-qualifying Catawba County residents, including workers in lower-wage positions at major local employers.
Employer-sponsored insurance is available to many full-time employees at large Catawba County employers such as Corning Optical Communications and Catawba County Schools, often with shared premium costs.
Short-term health plans can provide temporary coverage for Catawba County residents between jobs or waiting for employer benefits to begin at a new position.
COBRA continuation coverage allows employees who leave positions at Catawba Valley Medical Center, Catawba County Government, or other local employers to maintain their existing group plan for a limited time.
Small business SHOP plans are available to Catawba County employers like local retailers and service providers who want to offer group health benefits to their teams through the ACA marketplace.
For 2026, Catawba County residents can choose from plans offered under three Blue Cross NC networks, including Blue Advantage, Blue Care, and Blue Value, each structured to connect enrollees to local providers at in-network rates. Blue Advantage and Blue Care are plans offering broad provider access, while Blue Value is a POS plan designed for cost-conscious enrollees who prefer a more structured care model. All three networks are designed to include access to key Catawba County health systems such as Catawba Valley Medical Center and Frye Regional Medical Center in Hickory.
Blue Advantage, a PPO network, provides the largest nationwide coverage with more than 95 percent of North Carolina doctors in-network, including providers at Catawba Valley Medical Center.
Blue Care, an HMO network, offers broad statewide access with more than 95 percent of North Carolina doctors in-network, connecting Catawba County residents to a wide range of local specialists.
Blue Value, a POS network, is a value-focused plan with lower monthly premiums, structured around a defined network of providers including local Catawba County facilities.
Plans under Blue Advantage and Blue Care allow Catawba County residents to visit specialists without requiring a primary care referral, offering greater scheduling flexibility.
Plans under Blue Value coordinate care through a primary care provider, which can help residents near Frye Regional Medical Center manage ongoing healthcare needs in a structured way.
All three plan networks are available across multiple coverage tiers, giving Catawba County residents the ability to choose both a network type and a cost-sharing level that fits their health needs.
Bronze plans in Catawba County start at approximately $482.73/month before subsidies. With a median household income of $64,544, 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 before subsidies for a 35-year-old in Catawba County, offering the lowest monthly premiums with higher deductibles for those who use care infrequently.
Silver plans start at $620.43 per month before subsidies and are the only tier eligible for cost-sharing reductions, which lower deductibles and copays for qualifying Catawba County residents.
Gold plans start at $641.58 per month before subsidies and provide lower out-of-pocket costs throughout the year, making them a strong fit for residents who use healthcare services regularly.
Catawba County residents with household incomes between 100 and 400 percent of the federal poverty level qualify for premium tax credits that can bring monthly costs well below the Bronze starting price.
Some lower-income Catawba County residents may qualify for a zero-dollar premium Silver plan through enhanced subsidy rules, making comprehensive coverage accessible at no monthly cost.
The county's median household income of $64,544 places many two-person and small family households within the subsidy-eligible range for meaningful ACA premium assistance on Blue Cross NC plans.
For 2026, Blue Cross NC is one of four ACA Marketplace carriers serving Catawba County, offering a total of 27 plans across multiple coverage tiers. These plans are available through three distinct networks, Blue Advantage, Blue Care, and Blue Value, which differ in network size, out-of-network coverage, and monthly premium levels. Blue Advantage and Blue Care are networks that provide broad provider access across North Carolina, while Blue Value is a POS network structured around a more defined set of local and regional providers including those in the Hickory area. The network a Catawba County resident selects directly determines which hospitals, specialists, and primary care providers are covered at in-network rates, making network selection as important as tier selection when comparing plans. Health Plans of NC compares every available Blue Cross NC plan side-by-side for Catawba County residents at no cost, so enrollees can make an informed decision without paying broker fees.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina, offering PPO, HMO and POS plan types across Blue Advantage, Blue Care, and Blue Value networks, with 27 plans available in Catawba County for 2026.
North Carolina expanded Medicaid in December 2023, extending free or low-cost coverage to adults earning up to 138 percent of the federal poverty level, which opened eligibility to many Catawba County residents who previously had no coverage options. Currently, 11.8 percent of Catawba County residents, approximately 19,000 people, remain uninsured, and a meaningful share of this group may now qualify for Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance Program under expanded eligibility rules. Children in families earning up to 210 percent of the federal poverty level may qualify for NC Health Choice, North Carolina's CHIP program, which provides comprehensive pediatric coverage at little or no cost. Health Plans of NC offers free eligibility checks for Catawba County residents who want to find out whether they or their children qualify for Medicaid or CHIP before enrolling.
Working adults in Catawba County who earn low wages and lack employer-sponsored coverage may qualify for expanded Medicaid following North Carolina's December 2023 expansion.
Children in Catawba County households with moderate incomes may qualify for NC Health Choice CHIP coverage, which covers doctor visits, dental care, and preventive services.
Pregnant women in Catawba County may qualify for Medicaid coverage that includes prenatal care, labor and delivery services, and postpartum follow-up at local health facilities.
Catawba County's poverty rate of 12.8 percent means a significant share of residents may meet income thresholds for full Medicaid benefits at no monthly premium cost.
Seniors and people with disabilities in Catawba County with limited income may qualify for dual eligibility under both Medicaid and Medicare, reducing out-of-pocket costs across most healthcare services.
Health Plans of NC licensed agents serve Catawba County residents at no cost, comparing every available plan side-by-side and walking you through enrollment from start to finish. Call 800-797-0327 today to speak with an agent who knows the Catawba County market and can help you find the right coverage for your needs 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 Catawba 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 |
|---|---|---|
Catawba Valley Medical Center | 810 Fairgrove Church Rd, Hickory, NC 28602 | |
Frye Regional Medical Center | 420 N Center St, Hickory, NC 28601 |
Clinic | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
Catawba Valley Family Medicine - Claremont | 3114 W Main St, Claremont, NC 28610 | |
Catawba Valley Family Medicine - Maiden | 137 Island Ford Rd, Maiden, NC 28650 | |
Catawba Valley Family Medicine - Northeast Hickory | 2365 Springs Road Northeast, Hickory, NC 28601 | |
Gaston Family Health Services - Kintegra at A Woman's View | 915 Tate Boulevard Southeast, Hickory, NC 28602 | |
Kintegra Behavioral Health - Hickory | 858 2nd St NE, Hickory, NC 28601 | |
Kintegra Family Dentistry - Hickory | 3070 11th Avenue Dr SE, Hickory, NC 28602 | |
Kintegra Family Medicine - Hickory | 133 1st Ave SE, Hickory, NC 28602 | |
Kintegra at Catawba Women's Center | 1501 Tate Blvd SE, Hickory, NC 28602 |
Catawba County ZIP Codes include: 28601, 28602, 28603, 28609, 28610, 28613, 28650, 28658, 28673, and 28682
