Find Your Most Affordable Health Insurance Plan in Columbus County
in North Carolina
Columbus County residents can compare 17 health insurance options for 2025.
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.
in North Carolina
Find affordable health insurance in Columbus County, NC with Health Plans of NC. Columbus County, NC residents can compare health insurance plans through Health Plans of NC, with coverage options from Blue Cross NC available to individuals, families, and small businesses across the county. With 17 plans available and a local uninsured rate of 13.6%, representing roughly 7,000 Columbus County residents without coverage, finding the right plan is a pressing local need. Local licensed agents help residents navigate every available option at no cost, connecting Columbus County families to coverage that fits their budget and healthcare needs.
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 residents have access to a range of health insurance options depending on employment status, income, household size, and healthcare needs. Whether someone is self-employed, between jobs, working part-time without employer benefits, or simply looking for better coverage than they currently have, there are plans designed to meet those specific situations. Columbus Regional Healthcare System serves as the primary healthcare provider in the county, and choosing a plan with access to that network is a key consideration for most Columbus County families.
Individual and family marketplace plans serve Columbus County residents who are self-employed or work for employers that do not offer group benefits, with 17 plans available through Blue Cross NC for the current plan year.
Income-based subsidized plans are available to Columbus County households earning between 100% and 400% of the federal poverty level, helping offset costs in a county where the median household income is $48,184 per year.
Low-cost or $0 premium plans may be available to Columbus County residents whose income falls near the poverty line, which is especially important given the county's 18.8% poverty rate and the large share of residents currently uninsured.
Medicaid and NC Health Choice coverage serves low-income Columbus County adults, children, pregnant women, and individuals with disabilities who meet income thresholds, connecting them to providers like Columbus Regional Hospital and local family medicine clinics.
Short-term and gap coverage plans serve Columbus County residents in transition between jobs or waiting for employer benefits to begin, providing access to area hospitals and clinics during coverage gaps.
Small business and employer group plans serve Columbus County businesses looking to offer competitive health benefits to employees, with access to the Columbus Regional Healthcare System network and specialists including the Columbus Regional Cancer Center and Columbus Regional Cardiology Clinic.
Blue Cross NC is the carrier offering ACA-compliant plans in Columbus County for 2025, with 17 plans available to individuals, families, and small businesses across the county. These plans span a range of coverage structures including HMO, PPO, EPO, and catastrophic options, giving Columbus County residents flexibility in how they access care and manage costs. Carrier network design directly affects whether Columbus County residents can access Columbus Regional Healthcare System, the county's primary health system, as well as specialty services like the Columbus Regional Cancer Center and Columbus Regional Cardiology Clinic. Selecting the right plan tier and network type is critical to ensuring continuity of care with local providers, particularly for residents who rely on Columbus Regional Hospital for routine and emergency services. Health Plans of NC agents compare every available Blue Cross NC plan side-by-side at no cost, helping residents identify the option that best fits their provider preferences and household budget. With a median household income of $48,184, a poverty rate of 18.8%, and approximately 7,000 uninsured residents in Columbus County, understanding the differences between available carrier plans and subsidy options has a direct and meaningful impact on local families.
Blue Cross NC (Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina)
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.
Entry-level individual plans start at $403.47 per month before subsidies, meaning subsidy eligibility can dramatically reduce what Columbus County residents actually pay each month.
Columbus County residents earning between 100% and 400% of the federal poverty level qualify for federal premium tax credits that can significantly lower monthly costs depending on household size and income.
Residents near the 100% federal poverty level may qualify for $0 or near-zero premium plans after enhanced subsidies are applied, a critical option in a county where the poverty rate is 18.8%.
North Carolina's Medicaid expansion makes low-income Columbus County adults earning up to 138% of the federal poverty level eligible for full Medicaid coverage at little to no cost, directly addressing the county's 13.6% uninsured rate.
Approximately 7,000 uninsured Columbus County residents may be leaving significant subsidy dollars unclaimed by not enrolling during open enrollment or a qualifying special enrollment period.
Out-of-pocket costs, deductibles, and copays vary widely across the 17 available plans in Columbus County, so evaluating total annual cost rather than monthly premium alone is the most accurate way to compare coverage value.
Individual and Family plan premiums in Columbus County before subsidies: Bronze plans start at $403.47/month (lowest premiums, highest deductible); Silver plans start at $518.72/month (mid-range cost, eligible for cost-sharing reductions); Gold plans start at $536.24/month (higher premiums, lower out-of-pocket). Catastrophic coverage is also available for Columbus County residents under 30 or with a hardship exemption. Most Columbus County residents qualify for ACA premium tax credits that can significantly lower monthly costs. Health Plans of NC provides free personalized quotes with exact subsidy calculations.
North Carolina expanded Medicaid in December 2023. Columbus County residents earning up to 138% of the federal poverty level may qualify for free or low-cost coverage. Currently 13.6% of Columbus County residents (about 7,000 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.
Columbus County is home to 50,453 residents. The median household income is $48,184. The county has grown -0.3% since 2020. The uninsured rate is 13.6%. 2.2% of residents are foreign-born. Health Plans of NC helps Columbus County residents find the right plan at no cost.
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
