Find Your Most Affordable Health Insurance Plan in Cherokee County
in North Carolina
Cherokee 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 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 Cherokee County, NC with Health Plans of NC. Health Plans of NC helps Cherokee County, NC residents compare and enroll in 2026 health insurance coverage, connecting families and workers to quality local care through providers like Murphy Medical Center and the broader Mission Health HCA network.
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 |
Cherokee County's 29,197 residents, a population that has grown 1.5% since 2020, have access to multiple types of health insurance coverage ranging from ACA Marketplace plans to employer-sponsored benefits through major local employers like Cherokee County Schools, Murphy Medical Center, Cherokee County government, Walmart, and Moog. The county's health systems, anchored by Murphy Medical Center and Mission Health HCA, serve a community that includes a 1.9% foreign-born resident population who may benefit from navigator assistance when comparing coverage options. Health Plans of NC helps every Cherokee County resident, regardless of employment status or background, identify the right type of coverage at no cost.
ACA Marketplace plans are available to Cherokee County residents who are self-employed, between jobs, or whose employers do not offer affordable coverage through local health systems like Murphy Medical Center.
Medicaid coverage serves lower-income Cherokee County adults and families following North Carolina's Medicaid expansion, providing access to local providers across the Murphy Medical Center and Mission Health HCA networks.
Employer-sponsored plans are offered through major Cherokee County employers including Cherokee County Schools, Murphy Medical Center, Cherokee County government, Walmart, and Moog, covering a significant share of the local workforce.
Short-term health coverage serves Cherokee County residents in transitional situations, such as those between jobs at area employers or waiting for employer benefits to begin at facilities like Murphy Medical Center.
COBRA continuation coverage allows Cherokee County workers who recently left employment with local employers like Walmart or Moog to maintain their existing group health plan temporarily while exploring other options.
Small business SHOP Marketplace plans serve Cherokee County business owners and their employees, providing a structured way for smaller local employers to offer competitive health benefits and attract workers in the region.
For 2026, Cherokee County residents can choose from 15 ACA-compliant plans offered through two Blue Cross NC networks: Blue Advantage and Blue Care, both structured as PPO plans that provide flexibility in accessing local providers. The Blue Advantage PPO network is the broader of the two, connecting Cherokee County residents to an extensive range of in-network physicians and facilities including Erlanger Western Carolina Hospital and Murphy Medical Center, while the Blue Care PPO network offers a broad statewide footprint that also reaches key local providers. Health Plans of NC agents help Cherokee County residents evaluate which network best fits their provider relationships and coverage needs before enrolling.
Blue Advantage PPO, the largest nationwide network available in Cherokee County, includes 95% or more of North Carolina doctors and connects residents to local facilities like Erlanger Western Carolina Hospital and Murphy Medical Center.
Blue Care PPO, a broad statewide network covering 92% or more of North Carolina doctors, provides Cherokee County residents with strong access to local providers including Murphy Medical Center and regional specialty clinics.
Both Blue Advantage and Blue Care PPO plans allow Cherokee County residents to see specialists at Atlanta Gastroenterology Associates in Murphy without requiring a primary care referral, as is typical with PPO structures.
Blue Advantage PPO plan members in Cherokee County can access cardiology services through Asheville Cardiology Associates at in-network rates, supporting residents with ongoing cardiovascular care needs.
Blue Care PPO plans in Cherokee County provide in-network access to Mission Health HCA affiliated facilities, benefiting residents who rely on Mission-connected providers across the western North Carolina region.
Catastrophic-level coverage is also available for eligible Cherokee County residents under age 30 or those with a qualifying hardship exemption, offering protection against major medical events at the lowest monthly premium tier.
Bronze plans in Cherokee County start at approximately $427.27/month before subsidies. With a median household income of $51,496, many residents qualify for premium tax credits. Subsidies may reduce your monthly premium significantly based on income.
Bronze plans in Cherokee County start at $427.27 per month before subsidies for a 35-year-old, offering the lowest monthly premium with higher out-of-pocket costs when care is needed.
Silver plans start at $549.92 per month before subsidies and are the only tier eligible for cost-sharing reductions, which lower deductibles and copays for qualifying Cherokee County residents.
Gold plans start at $587.73 per month before subsidies and provide lower out-of-pocket costs throughout the year, making them well-suited for residents who use medical services frequently.
Many Cherokee County residents with household incomes near or below the county median of $51,496 qualify for premium tax credits that meaningfully reduce monthly marketplace plan costs.
Cherokee County residents with incomes between 100% and 150% of the federal poverty level may qualify for a Silver plan with a zero-dollar or near-zero monthly premium after tax credits are applied.
Out-of-pocket maximums on all 2026 ACA-compliant plans cap total annual costs, protecting Cherokee County residents from catastrophic medical expenses even on lower-tier Bronze coverage.
Blue Cross NC is the sole ACA Marketplace carrier serving Cherokee County for 2026, offering 15 plans across all available coverage levels to county residents. These 15 plans are structured across two PPO networks, Blue Advantage and Blue Care, each providing different levels of network breadth and provider access throughout the region. The Blue Advantage network connects Cherokee County enrollees to the largest nationwide provider footprint, while the Blue Care network delivers broad statewide coverage with strong ties to local health systems including Murphy Medical Center and Mission Health HCA. The network a resident selects determines which hospitals, clinics, and specialists, including local providers like Atlanta Gastroenterology Associates in Murphy and Asheville Cardiology Associates, can be accessed at in-network rates. Health Plans of NC agents compare all 15 Blue Cross NC plans side-by-side at no cost, helping Cherokee County residents make informed enrollment decisions based on their specific provider needs and budget.
Blue Cross NC, offering 15 ACA Marketplace plans to Cherokee County residents for 2026, available as PPO plans across the Blue Advantage and Blue Care provider networks.
North Carolina expanded Medicaid in December 2023, opening eligibility to adults earning up to 138% of the federal poverty level and making free or low-cost coverage available to thousands of additional Cherokee County residents who previously had no affordable option. Currently, 14.8% of Cherokee County residents, approximately 4,000 people, remain uninsured, and many may now qualify for Medicaid or marketplace coverage with subsidies they have not yet claimed. Children in Cherokee County families earning up to 210% of the federal poverty level may qualify for NC Health Choice, the state's CHIP program, providing low-cost or no-cost coverage for qualifying minors. Health Plans of NC offers free eligibility checks so Cherokee County residents can quickly determine whether they qualify for Medicaid, CHIP, or a subsidized marketplace plan.
Working adults in Cherokee County earning up to 138% of the federal poverty level now qualify for NC Medicaid Expansion coverage at little or no cost following the December 2023 expansion.
Children in Cherokee County families may qualify for NC Health Choice, the state CHIP program, providing low-cost or no-cost coverage for minors in households earning up to 210% of the federal poverty level.
Pregnant women in Cherokee County qualify for expanded Medicaid coverage that includes prenatal, delivery, and postpartum care through local providers in the Murphy Medical Center and Mission Health HCA networks.
Cherokee County's 14.6% poverty rate means a meaningful share of residents may qualify for Medicaid at no cost, making it especially important for lower-income households to complete a free eligibility check.
Seniors and people with disabilities in Cherokee County who have low income may qualify for dual eligibility programs that combine Medicare and Medicaid benefits, significantly reducing total out-of-pocket health costs.
Health Plans of NC licensed agents serve Cherokee County residents at no cost, comparing all available 2026 plans side-by-side and guiding enrollees through every step of the application and enrollment process. Call 800-797-0327 today to speak with a local expert who can help you find the right plan 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 Cherokee 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 |
|---|---|---|
Angel Medical Ctr | 124 One Center Ct, Franklin, NC 28734 | (828) 524-8411 |
Cherokee Indian Hospital | 1 Hospital Rd, Cherokee, NC 28719 | (828) 497-9163 |
Erlanger Western Carolina Hosp | 3990 E US 64 Alt, Murphy, NC 28906 | (828) 837-8161 |
Harris Regional Hospital | 68 Hospital Rd, Sylva, NC 28779 | (828) 586-7000 |
Haywood Regional Medical Ctr | 262 Leroy George Dr, Clyde, NC 28721 | (828) 456-7311 |
Highlands-Cashiers Hospital | 190 Hospital Dr, Highlands, NC 28741 | (828) 526-1200 |
Swain Community Hospital | 45 Plateau St # 230, Bryson City, NC 28713 | (828) 488-2155 |
Transylvania Regional Hospital | 260 Hospital Dr, Brevard, NC 28712 | (828) 884-9111 |
Unity Healing Ctr | 448 Sequoyah Trl, Cherokee, NC 28719 | (828) 497-1800 |
Clinic | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
Angel Medical Ctr | 56 Medical Park Dr, Franklin, NC 28734 | (828) 542-8411 |
Asheville Cardiology Assoc | 190 Hospital Dr # 104, Highlands, NC 28741 | (828) 274-6000 |
Atlanta Gastroenterology Assoc | 145 Medical Park Ln # K, Murphy, NC 28906 | (404) 257-9000 |
Center For Family Medicine | 55 Holly Springs Park Dr, Franklin, NC 28734 | (828) 349-3550 |
Haywood Regional Medical Ctr | , Waynesville, NC 28786 | (828) 452-8070 |
Mission Community Primary Care | 57 White Owl Ln, Cashiers, NC 28717 | (828) 743-2491 |
Mission Health Ctr Highlands | 190 Hospital Dr, Highlands, NC 28741 | (828) 526-4942 |
Mission Urology-Brevard | 89 Hospital Dr # C, Brevard, NC 28712 | (828) 883-5858 |
Murphy Medical Ctr Emergency | 3990 E US 64 Alt, Murphy, NC 28906 | (828) 837-8300 |
Murphy Medical Ctr Human RSRCS | , Murphy, NC 28906 | (828) 835-7683 |
Murphy Medical Ctr Radiology | 3990 E US 64 Alt, Murphy, NC 28906 | (828) 835-7540 |
Murphy Medical Ctr | 3990 E US Highway 64 Alternate, Murphy, NC 28906 | (828) 835-7502 |
Murphy Medical Ctr | 4130 115 Highway 64 E, Murphy, NC 28906 | (828) 835-7505 |
Orthopedics-Sports Medicine | 190 Riverview St, Franklin, NC 28734 | (828) 349-8260 |
Ozarks Medical Ctr | PO Box 330, Marble, NC 28905 | (417) 257-5802 |
Primary Care Franklin | 190 Riverview St, Franklin, NC 28734 | (828) 349-6800 |
VA Medical Ctr | 45 HI Lane St, Canton, NC 28716 | (828) 298-7911 |
Cherokee County ZIP Codes include: 28901, 28903, 28905, and 28906
