Find Your Most Affordable Health Insurance Plan in Columbus County
in North Carolina
Columbus County residents can compare 17 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 Columbus County, NC with Health Plans of NC. Health Plans of NC helps Columbus County residents find and compare affordable health insurance options, with local licensed agents ready to guide individuals, families, and employees of Columbus Regional Healthcare System through every available plan at no cost.
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 |
Columbus County is home to 50,453 residents, with a population that has shifted by -0.3% since 2020 and a foreign-born resident share of 2.2%, reflecting a community with diverse coverage needs across employment situations and life stages. Major employers including Columbus County Schools, Columbus Regional Healthcare System, the NC Department of Adult Corrections, Columbus County government, and GCF US Holdings shape the landscape of employer-sponsored and marketplace coverage available to local workers and their families. Whether a resident works for one of these major employers, is self-employed, or is between jobs, there is a coverage pathway available through the ACA Marketplace, Medicaid, or other programs.
ACA Marketplace plans are available to Columbus County residents who are self-employed, work part-time, or are not offered employer coverage by businesses like GCF US Holdings or other local employers.
Medicaid coverage connects low-income Columbus County adults, children, and families to providers within the Columbus Regional Healthcare System network at little to no cost.
Employer-sponsored group plans are offered by major Columbus County employers such as Columbus County Schools and the NC Department of Adult Corrections, providing workplace health benefits to eligible employees.
Short-term coverage plans serve Columbus County residents who are transitioning between jobs or waiting for employer benefits to begin, providing interim access to local hospitals and clinics.
COBRA continuation coverage allows former employees of Columbus County employers, including those who previously worked for Columbus Regional Healthcare System, to maintain their existing health plan temporarily after leaving a job.
Small business SHOP plans allow Columbus County small business owners to offer group health benefits to their employees, with access to the Columbus Regional Healthcare System network for routine and specialty care.
For 2026, Columbus County residents can choose from plans across three Blue Cross NC networks, including Blue Advantage, Blue Care, and Blue Value, each offering different levels of provider access and plan structure to fit varying healthcare needs. Blue Advantage and Blue Care are PPO plans that provide access to a broad range of in-network providers, while Blue Value is an HMO plan designed for residents who prefer a more structured, cost-focused approach to accessing care through Columbus Regional Healthcare System. Health Plans of NC agents help Columbus County residents compare these network options side-by-side to identify which plan connects them to their preferred local providers.
Blue Advantage, a PPO network, offers Columbus County residents access to the largest nationwide provider network, including Columbus Regional Healthcare System and affiliated specialty clinics.
Blue Care, a PPO network, provides broad statewide provider access with 92% or more of NC doctors in-network, covering Columbus Regional Healthcare System and surrounding area facilities.
Blue Value, an HMO network, is a value-focused plan with lower premiums that connects Columbus County residents to care through a defined network including Columbus Regional Healthcare System.
PPO plans such as Blue Advantage and Blue Care give Columbus County residents the flexibility to see specialists, including those at the Columbus Regional Cancer Center and Columbus Regional Cardiology Clinic, without a referral.
HMO plans such as Blue Value require Columbus County residents to coordinate care through a primary care provider, making them well suited for residents who primarily use Columbus Regional Healthcare System for their healthcare needs.
All three networks, Blue Advantage, Blue Care, and Blue Value, are offered exclusively through Blue Cross NC and are available to individuals, families, and small businesses in Columbus County.
Bronze plans in Columbus County start at approximately $403.47/month before subsidies. With a median household income of $48,184, many residents qualify for premium tax credits. Subsidies may reduce your monthly premium significantly based on income.
Bronze plans in Columbus County start at $403.47 per month before subsidies for a 35-year-old, offering the lowest monthly premiums with higher out-of-pocket costs when care is needed.
Silver plans in Columbus County start at $518.72 per month before subsidies for a 35-year-old, and Silver is the only tier eligible for additional cost-sharing reductions that lower deductibles and copays.
Gold plans in Columbus County start at $536.24 per month before subsidies for a 35-year-old, providing lower out-of-pocket costs in exchange for a higher monthly premium.
Columbus County residents with household incomes between 100% and 400% of the federal poverty level qualify for premium tax credits that can substantially reduce monthly plan costs.
Residents near the lower end of the federal poverty level income scale may qualify for $0 or near-zero premium Silver plans after enhanced subsidies are calculated for their household.
Out-of-pocket maximums, deductibles, and copays vary across all 17 available plans, so comparing total annual cost rather than monthly premium alone gives Columbus County residents the most accurate picture of coverage value.
Blue Cross NC is the ACA Marketplace carrier offering plans in Columbus County for 2026, with a total of 17 plans available to individuals, families, and small businesses across the county. These 17 plans span three distinct networks, Blue Advantage, Blue Care, and Blue Value, each with a different plan type and provider access structure including PPO and HMO options. The Blue Advantage and Blue Care PPO networks connect Columbus County residents to broad statewide and nationwide provider access, while the Blue Value HMO network is designed for residents who prioritize lower premiums and are comfortable coordinating care within a defined local network. Network selection directly affects whether Columbus County residents can access Columbus Regional Healthcare System, the Columbus Regional Cancer Center, and the Columbus Regional Cardiology Clinic as in-network providers, making the choice of network as important as the choice of tier. Health Plans of NC agents compare all 17 Blue Cross NC plans side-by-side at no cost, helping every Columbus County resident identify the right combination of network, tier, and price.
Blue Cross NC, offering PPO plans through Blue Advantage and Blue Care networks and an HMO plan through the Blue Value network, with 17 total plans available in Columbus County for 2026.
North Carolina expanded Medicaid in December 2023, making Columbus County adults earning up to 138% of the federal poverty level eligible for full Medicaid coverage at little to no cost. Columbus County currently has an uninsured rate of 13.6%, representing approximately 7,000 residents without coverage, many of whom may now qualify for Medicaid or a subsidized Marketplace plan. Children in Columbus County families earning up to 210% of the federal poverty level may qualify for NC Health Choice, the state's CHIP program, which provides comprehensive pediatric coverage at low or no cost. Health Plans of NC offers free eligibility checks to help Columbus County residents determine whether they qualify for Medicaid, CHIP, or another coverage program.
Working adults in Columbus County earning up to 138% of the federal poverty level may now qualify for full Medicaid coverage following North Carolina's December 2023 expansion.
Children in Columbus County households qualify for NC Health Choice, also known as CHIP, when family income is at or below 210% of the federal poverty level.
Pregnant women in Columbus County are eligible for Medicaid coverage that includes prenatal care, labor and delivery services, and postpartum care through local providers.
Columbus County residents with disabilities or serious health conditions may qualify for Medicaid regardless of age if they meet income and functional eligibility requirements.
With a poverty rate of 18.8% in Columbus County, a significant share of residents may be eligible for Medicaid or CHIP and can receive a free eligibility check through Health Plans of NC.
Health Plans of NC licensed agents serve Columbus County residents at no cost, comparing every available plan side-by-side and providing personalized guidance through the enrollment process from start to finish. Call 800-797-0327 to speak with a local agent who can help you find the right coverage 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 Columbus 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 |
|---|---|---|
Brynn Marr Hospital | 192 Village Dr, Jacksonville, NC 28546 | (910) 577-1400 |
Cape Fear Vly Bladen County | 501 S Poplar St, Elizabethtown, NC 28337 | (910) 862-5100 |
Columbus Regional Healthcare | 500 Jefferson St, Whiteville, NC 28472 | (910) 642-8011 |
Dosher Memorial Hospital | 924 N Howe St, Southport, NC 28461 | (910) 457-3800 |
ECU Health Duplin Hospital | 401 N Main St, Kenansville, NC 28349 | (910) 296-0941 |
Naval Medical Ctr Camp Lejeune | 100 Brewster Blvd, Camp Lejeune, NC 28547 | (910) 450-4357 |
New Hanover Regional Med Ctr | 2131 S 17th St, Wilmington, NC 28401 | (910) 667-7000 |
New Hanover Regl Med Ctr-Rehab | 2131 S 17th St, Wilmington, NC 28401 | (910) 667-7835 |
NHRMC Betty H Cameron Women's | 2131 S 17th St, Wilmington, NC 28401 | (910) 667-7360 |
Novant Health Brunswick Med | 240 Hospital Dr NE, Bolivia, NC 28422 | (910) 721-1000 |
Novant Health New Hanover | 5301 Wrightsville Ave, Wilmington, NC 28403 | (910) 667-8100 |
Onslow Memorial Hospital | 317 Western Blvd, Jacksonville, NC 28546 | (910) 577-2345 |
Pender Memorial Hospital | 507 E Fremont St, Burgaw, NC 28425 | (910) 259-5451 |
Sampson Regional Medical Ctr | 607 Beaman St, Clinton, NC 28328 | (910) 592-8511 |
Southeastern Regional Med Ctr | 300 W 27th St, Lumberton, NC 28358 | (910) 671-5000 |
UNC Health Southeastern | 4300 Fayetteville Rd, Lumberton, NC 28358 | (910) 608-3078 |
Columbus County ZIP Codes include: 28423, 28424, 28430, 28431, 28432, 28436, 28438, 28439, 28442, 28450, 28455, 28456, 28463, and 28472
