Find Your Most Affordable Health Insurance Plan in Clay County
in North Carolina
Clay County residents can choose from two healthcare options: Blue Advantage and Blue Care.
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.
in North Carolina
Find affordable health insurance in Clay County, NC with Health Plans of NC. Clay County, NC, nestled in the far west of North Carolina, is home to approximately 11,391 residents who enjoy beautiful natural scenery, affordable living, and small-town charm across communities like Hayesville, Shooting Creek, and Brasstown. Health Plans of NC helps Clay County families, individuals, and small businesses find coverage through Blue Cross NC, the carrier offering plans in this market. With a local uninsured rate of 15.3%, representing roughly 2,000 Clay County residents without coverage, connecting with the right plan has never been more important.
Clay County residents have access to 81 health insurance plans through the ACA marketplace, giving families, self-employed workers, and individuals a wide range of coverage structures to choose from based on their budget and how often they use medical care. Residents who rely on nearby facilities like Erlanger Western Carolina Hospital in Murphy or Angel Medical Center in Franklin will want to verify network access when comparing plans. Local agents can help Clay County residents evaluate every available option at no cost, ensuring they find coverage that fits both their healthcare needs and their household income.
Catastrophic and lower-premium plans suit healthy young adults in Clay County who want financial protection against emergencies at Erlanger Western Carolina Hospital while keeping monthly costs minimal.
Mid-tier coverage options with moderate premiums and deductibles are well suited for Clay County families with children, given that nearly 20% of the county's population is under 18 years old.
Higher-premium, lower-deductible plans benefit Clay County residents managing chronic conditions who regularly visit primary care clinics or specialists in Murphy, Franklin, or Highlands.
Employer-sponsored coverage through small businesses in Clay County provides group health benefits that local workers can supplement with individual marketplace plans during open enrollment.
Medicaid and NC Medicaid Expansion coverage is available to Clay County residents with household incomes near or below the federal poverty level, particularly relevant given the county's 13.5% poverty rate.
Short-term and supplemental plans can fill coverage gaps for Clay County residents between jobs or waiting for open enrollment, providing interim access to the area's medical clinics and specialists.
Blue Cross NC and other leading carriers offer ACA-compliant plans in Clay County. There are 81 plans available for 2025. Our agents compare every plan side-by-side at no cost.
Blue Cross NC (Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina)
Bronze plans in Clay County start at approximately $427.27/mo/month before subsidies. With a median household income of $53,645, many residents qualify for premium tax credits. Subsidies may reduce your monthly premium significantly based on income.
Lower-premium marketplace plans in Clay County start at $427.27 per month before subsidies, making pre-subsidy cost awareness essential for household budgeting.
Clay County residents with a household income around the county median of $53,645 per year likely qualify for federal premium tax credits that reduce monthly marketplace plan costs.
Residents earning up to 138% of the federal poverty level may qualify for NC Medicaid, which covers medical visits to local clinics like Murphy Medical Center at little or no out-of-pocket cost.
Clay County households with incomes between 100% and 400% of the federal poverty level can qualify for premium subsidies, and those up to 600% may qualify under enhanced ACA subsidy rules.
With a poverty rate of 13.5% in Clay County, a meaningful portion of local residents may qualify for $0 or very low premium plans through Medicaid or heavily subsidized marketplace coverage.
Self-employed residents and small business owners in Clay County can deduct health insurance premiums and may also qualify for the Small Business Health Care Tax Credit when offering group coverage to employees.
North Carolina expanded Medicaid in December 2023. Clay County residents earning up to 138% of the federal poverty level may qualify for free or low-cost coverage. Currently 15.3% of Clay County residents (about 2,000 people) are uninsured. Many may now qualify. Children in families earning up to 210% FPL may qualify for NC Health Choice (CHIP). Call Health Plans of NC for a free eligibility check.
Clay County is home to 11,391 residents. The median household income is $53,645. The county has grown 2.7% since 2020. The uninsured rate is 15.3%. 3.8% of residents are foreign-born. Health Plans of NC helps Clay County residents find the right plan at no cost.
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 |
Clay County ZIP Codes include: 28902, 28904, and 28909
