Find Your Most Affordable Health Insurance Plan in Clay County
in North Carolina
Clay 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 Clay County, NC with Health Plans of NC. Health Plans of NC helps Clay County residents find affordable health coverage through Blue Cross NC, connecting families and individuals served by Murphy Medical Center with plans that fit their lives and budgets.
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 |
Clay County is home to 11,391 residents across communities like Hayesville, Shooting Creek, and Brasstown, and the county has grown 2.7% since 2020, reflecting steady demand for reliable health coverage options. Major local employers including Clay County Schools, the County of Clay, Ingles Markets, Advanced Digital Cable, and Amazon connect many residents to employer-sponsored coverage, while others rely on ACA Marketplace plans or public programs. With 3.8% of residents being foreign-born and healthcare anchored by systems like Murphy Medical Center and Mission Health HCA, Clay County families have a range of coverage pathways to explore with the help of Health Plans of NC.
ACA Marketplace plans through Blue Cross NC give self-employed Clay County residents and those without employer coverage access to comprehensive benefits at local facilities like Erlanger Western Carolina Hospital in Murphy.
Medicaid coverage is available to qualifying Clay County residents, including many who work part-time or seasonal roles at employers like Ingles Markets and may not have access to employer-sponsored benefits.
Employer-sponsored group health insurance is available to many Clay County workers through organizations like Clay County Schools and the County of Clay, providing in-network access to Murphy Medical Center and Mission Health HCA.
Short-term health plans offer Clay County residents between jobs or awaiting open enrollment a temporary coverage bridge to clinics and hospitals in Murphy, Franklin, and Highlands.
COBRA continuation coverage allows Clay County residents who recently left jobs with employers like Advanced Digital Cable or Amazon to maintain their existing health benefits for a limited period.
Small business SHOP plans allow Clay County small business owners to offer group health coverage to employees, helping attract and retain workers in a competitive local job market.
For 2026, Clay County residents can choose from plans offered under two Blue Cross NC networks, Blue Advantage and Blue Care, both of which connect enrollees to hospitals and specialists in western North Carolina. Blue Advantage is a PPO with the largest nationwide network, making it a strong fit for Clay County residents who travel or seek specialty care beyond the immediate area, while Blue Care is also a PPO with broad statewide coverage suited to those who primarily use providers in Murphy, Franklin, and Highlands. Health Plans of NC agents can help Clay County residents compare both networks side-by-side to identify which plan structure best aligns with their preferred providers and care patterns.
Blue Advantage, a PPO network, includes 95% or more of NC doctors in-network and provides Clay County residents access to Erlanger Western Carolina Hospital, Angel Medical Center in Franklin, and Highlands-Cashiers Hospital.
Blue Care, a PPO network, covers 92% or more of NC doctors statewide and connects Clay County residents to Murphy Medical Center, Mission Health HCA facilities, and specialist clinics in Franklin and Highlands.
Both Blue Advantage and Blue Care plans are available in Bronze, Silver, and Gold metal tiers, giving Clay County residents flexibility in balancing monthly premiums against out-of-pocket costs at local facilities.
Clay County residents who primarily use providers in Murphy can evaluate whether Blue Advantage or Blue Care offers the strongest in-network access to Murphy Medical Center and surrounding clinics.
Catastrophic plans are available to Clay County residents under age 30 or those with a qualifying hardship exemption, providing low-premium emergency protection tied to the Blue Cross NC network.
Health Plans of NC agents review every Blue Advantage and Blue Care plan option with Clay County residents at no cost, ensuring the chosen network matches their preferred hospitals and specialty care needs.
Bronze plans in Clay County start at approximately $427.27/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.
Bronze plans start at $427.27 per month for a 35-year-old in Clay County before subsidies, offering the lowest monthly premiums with higher deductibles for those who use medical care infrequently.
Silver plans start at $549.92 per month before subsidies and are the only metal tier eligible for cost-sharing reductions, which lower deductibles and copays for qualifying Clay County households.
Gold plans start at $587.73 per month before subsidies and feature lower out-of-pocket costs per visit, making them a strong value for Clay County residents who regularly see specialists or manage chronic conditions.
Clay County households earning between 100% and 400% of the federal poverty level qualify for premium tax credits, and those earning up to 600% of the federal poverty level may still receive meaningful subsidies under enhanced ACA rules.
Some Clay County households with incomes near the poverty line may qualify for a $0 premium Silver plan after tax credits are applied, making comprehensive coverage accessible at no monthly cost.
Out-of-pocket maximums for 2026 ACA plans cap the total annual spending a Clay County resident will owe, providing financial protection against large medical bills at area hospitals like Angel Medical Center or Erlanger Western Carolina Hospital.
For 2026, Blue Cross NC is the sole ACA Marketplace carrier offering plans in Clay County, with 15 total plans available to individuals, families, and small businesses in this market. Those 15 plans are offered across two PPO networks, Blue Advantage and Blue Care, giving residents meaningful choice in how broadly they can access doctors and hospitals across North Carolina and beyond. Blue Advantage connects Clay County enrollees to the largest nationwide PPO network, while Blue Care provides broad statewide PPO access well suited to residents relying on providers in Murphy, Franklin, and Highlands. The choice between these two networks directly affects whether Clay County residents can access nearby facilities like Erlanger Western Carolina Hospital, Angel Medical Center, and Highlands-Cashiers Hospital at in-network rates. Health Plans of NC agents compare every Blue Cross NC plan side-by-side at no cost, ensuring Clay County residents select the carrier network and metal tier that best matches their provider relationships and financial situation.
Blue Cross NC, PPO plans under Blue Advantage and Blue Care networks, 15 plans available to Clay County residents for 2026 across Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Catastrophic tiers.
North Carolina expanded Medicaid in December 2023, extending free or low-cost coverage to adults earning up to 138% of the federal poverty level, which opened a significant new coverage pathway for Clay County residents. Currently 15.3% of Clay County residents, approximately 2,000 people, are uninsured, and many of them may now qualify for Medicaid or heavily subsidized Marketplace coverage they were not previously eligible for. Children in Clay 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 comprehensive coverage for younger residents. Health Plans of NC offers free eligibility checks to help Clay County residents determine whether they qualify for Medicaid, CHIP, or a subsidized Marketplace plan through Blue Cross NC.
Working adults in Clay County earning at or below 138% of the federal poverty level may qualify for NC Medicaid Expansion at little or no cost, including coverage for visits to Murphy Medical Center and Mission Health HCA facilities.
Children in Clay County families earning up to 210% of the federal poverty level may qualify for NC Health Choice, providing low-cost dental, vision, and medical coverage for a county where nearly 20% of residents are under age 18.
Pregnant women in Clay County may qualify for Medicaid coverage throughout pregnancy and for a period after delivery, ensuring access to prenatal and postnatal care at area hospitals and clinics.
Clay County seniors with low incomes may qualify for dual eligibility programs combining Medicare and Medicaid benefits, helping cover premiums, copays, and long-term care services not covered by Medicare alone.
With a poverty rate of 13.5% in Clay County, a meaningful share of local households may qualify for $0 premium Medicaid plans or heavily subsidized Marketplace coverage, and Health Plans of NC can verify eligibility at no cost.
Health Plans of NC licensed agents serve Clay County residents at no cost, comparing every available Blue Cross NC plan side-by-side and guiding enrollees through the full application and enrollment process. Call 800-797-0327 today to get a free personalized quote and find the plan that best fits your healthcare 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 Clay 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 |
Clay County ZIP Codes include: 28902, 28904, and 28909
