Find an Affordable Health Insurance Plan in Franklin County
in North Carolina
Nationwide (BlueCard®)
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 in all North Carolina counties, except the following where it is available only off Marketplace: Alamance, Caswell, Chatham, Durham, Franklin, Johnston, Lee, Orange, Person, and Wake.
Triangle area
Blue Home℠ with UNC Health Alliance is a Blue Cross NC plan built around UNC Health's provider network, including more than 1,900 primary care providers, UNC Medical Center (nationally ranked in 4 adult and 9 pediatric specialties by U.S. News & World Report), and UNC Rex Hospital (rated high-performing in 1 adult specialty and 21 adult procedures and conditions).
Like the other Blue Home plans, this is a single-system regional network offered at a lower premium than broad-network options — only UNC Health Alliance providers are in-network. We recommend it for Triangle-area residents who already rely on a UNC Health doctor, especially for complex or pediatric care.
Good fit if you have an ongoing relationship with a UNC Health specialist, especially for a complex or chronic condition, prefer pediatric care coordinated through UNC's academic health system, or live in one of the eligible Triangle-area counties.
Poor fit if your regular doctors are with Cone Health, Duke Health, or WakeMed — all three are out-of-network here.
Regional network – Triangle area
Network: UNC Health Alliance only1 (incl. UNC Medical Center).2
Out-of-area care: Emergency / urgent only.
Offered in Bronze, Silver, and Gold tiers.
Notes
Blue Cross NC has collaborated with UNC Health to bring you Blue Home℠ with UNC Health Alliance. Blue Home with UNC Health Alliance is a health insurance plan offered by Blue Cross NC that provides access to a limited network of providers. UNC Health is an independent company that is solely responsible for the physicians and medical facilities it owns and operates. UNC Health does not offer Blue Cross or Blue Shield products or services.
UNC Health, www.unchealthcare.org/health-alliance/ (Accessed August 2024).
U.S. News and World Report, www.usnews.com/best-hospitals/area/nc/university-of-north-carolina-hospitals-6360260 (Accessed August 2024).
U.S. News and World Report, www.usnews.com/best-hospitals/area/nc/rex-healthcare-6361210 (Accessed August 2024).
Blue Home with UNC Health Alliance is available on and off Marketplace to residents of these North Carolina counties: Alamance, Caswell, Chatham, Durham, Franklin, Johnston, Lee, Nash, Orange, Person, and Wake.
This plan is built around a single system, UNC Health Alliance, which keeps the premium lower than Blue Cross NC's broad-network plans. Only UNC Health Alliance providers are in-network — outside of emergency and urgent care, Duke Health and WakeMed are not covered, even though both operate in the same Triangle-area counties.
The network includes more than 1,900 primary care providers, UNC Medical Center — nationally ranked in four adult and nine pediatric specialties by U.S. News & World Report — and UNC Rex Hospital, rated high-performing in one adult specialty and 21 adult procedures and conditions.
For members managing a complex or chronic condition, or families needing pediatric specialty care, having that care coordinated through one academic health system is often the main draw of this plan over a broader but less integrated network.
The lower premium is the trade-off for narrowing to one system. It's offered in Bronze, Silver, and Gold tiers, and most applicants qualify for a premium tax credit based on income and household size.
This plan is available across 11 Triangle-area counties, including Wake, Durham, and Orange. If your doctors are with Duke Health or WakeMed instead, this plan won't cover them outside of an emergency.
You can enroll during the annual Open Enrollment Period (November 1 – January 15) or during a Special Enrollment Period if you've had a qualifying life event — a job change, a move, a new dependent, or losing other coverage.
A licensed Health Plans of NC agent can confirm your UNC Health providers are in-network, check your subsidy, and compare this plan against Blue Advantage® and Blue Care® — at no cost. Call 800-797-0327.
Yes — UNC Medical Center, nationally ranked by U.S. News & World Report in several adult and pediatric specialties, is part of this network, along with more than 1,900 primary care providers across the Triangle.
No. Duke Health and WakeMed are out-of-network on Blue Home℠ with UNC Health Alliance, along with their affiliated providers. If your regular doctors are with Duke or WakeMed, this isn’t the right plan.
No. UNC Health is an independent company solely responsible for its physicians and facilities. Blue Cross NC partners with UNC Health to offer this plan design, but UNC Health does not sell Blue Cross or Blue Shield products.
Every Blue Cross NC individual plan comes in three “metal” tiers that describe how you and the plan split covered costs. Bronze plans have the lowest monthly premium but pay about 60% of covered costs, so you pay roughly 40% when you use care. Silver plans pay about 70% (you pay ~30%), and Gold plans pay about 80% (you pay ~20%) in exchange for a higher premium.
As a rule of thumb: Bronze suits people who rarely use care and want the lowest premium, Gold suits people who use regular or ongoing care, and Silver is the middle ground. Silver is also the only tier that unlocks Cost-Sharing Reductions (CSRs) — extra savings on deductibles and copays if your income qualifies — so many subsidy-eligible shoppers get the best overall value from a Silver plan. A licensed Health Plans of NC agent can run the numbers for your situation at no cost.
The most important step before choosing any plan is confirming your doctors, specialists, and preferred hospitals are in that plan’s network. Networks differ a lot between Blue Cross NC plans — a doctor who is in-network on one plan may be out-of-network, and far more expensive, on another.
You can check each plan’s provider directory on bcbsnc.com, or — the easier route — call a Health Plans of NC agent at 800-797-0327 and we’ll verify your specific providers before you enroll, at no charge.
Most North Carolinians who buy their own coverage qualify for a premium tax credit — a subsidy based on your income and household size that lowers what you pay each month. Subsidy amounts and eligibility rules can change from year to year, so the only way to know your real price is to run a personalized quote.
Health Plans of NC can check your subsidy eligibility and show you the after-subsidy premium for any of these plans for free. Call 800-797-0327 or request a quote online.
You can enroll during the annual Open Enrollment Period, which runs each fall (generally starting November 1) for coverage that begins the following year. Outside that window, you can still enroll if you have a qualifying life event — such as losing other coverage, moving, marriage, or having a baby — which opens a 60-day Special Enrollment Period.
Because enrollment dates and rules can change, it’s worth confirming the current deadline. A Health Plans of NC agent can tell you whether you’re eligible to enroll right now — call 800-797-0327.
Nothing. Health Plans of North Carolina is an independent, authorized agency licensed to sell Blue Cross NC plans, and our help — comparing plans, checking your doctors, estimating subsidies, and enrolling — is completely free to you. Agents are paid by the insurance company, and the plan price is the same whether you enroll with us or on your own.
Call 800-797-0327 to talk with a licensed local agent.
| Carrier | Distinct plans |
|---|---|
| Blue Cross and Blue Shield of NC | 9 |
| Ambetter of North Carolina | 15 |
| UnitedHealthcare | 13 |
| Cigna Healthcare | 7 |
| Total | 44 |
Source: CMS QHP Landscape PY2026, Individual Market Medical, updated August 26, 2026 (data.healthcare.gov). Counts distinct Plan IDs offered on the Marketplace in Franklin County, once per carrier.
in North Carolina
Find affordable health insurance in Franklin County, NC with Health Plans of NC. Health Plans of NC helps Franklin County residents find and enroll in the right health insurance plan for 2026, with free, side-by-side comparisons of every available option. Whether you work for Franklin County Schools, receive care at UNC Health Johnston, or are shopping for individual coverage on your own, local licensed agents are ready to help at no cost.
Plan Network | Type | Network Coverage |
|---|---|---|
Blue Advantage® | PPO | Largest nationwide network, 95%+ of NC doctors in-network (off-Marketplace only) |
Blue Home℠ with UNC Health Alliance | EPO | UNC Health hospitals and affiliated providers |
Franklin County is home to 71,962 residents, a population that has grown 4.9% since 2020, including 5.4% who are foreign-born, reflecting a diverse and expanding community with varied health coverage needs. Major employers such as Franklin County Schools, the County of Franklin, Novozymes North America, Captive-Aire Systems, and Infrastructure Technology Services offer employer-sponsored coverage to many residents, while those without workplace plans can access individual and family options through the ACA Marketplace. Health systems including UNC Health Johnston and Duke Raleigh Hospital anchor the regional care network, giving Franklin County residents access to both local and specialist services depending on the plan they choose.
ACA Marketplace plans through Blue Cross NC are available to Franklin County residents who do not receive coverage through employers like Novozymes North America or Captive-Aire Systems.
Medicaid coverage serves lower-income Franklin County residents and is accessible through local providers connected to the Franklin County Health Department and Daymark Recovery Services.
Employer-sponsored insurance is offered by major Franklin County employers including Franklin County Schools and Infrastructure Technology Services, covering a significant share of the workforce.
Short-term health plans may provide temporary coverage for Franklin County residents between jobs or waiting for open enrollment, though benefits are more limited than ACA plans.
COBRA continuation coverage allows Franklin County workers who leave employers like the County of Franklin to maintain their existing group plan for a limited period after separation.
Small business SHOP plans through the ACA Marketplace allow small Franklin County employers to offer group health benefits to employees, supported by agents at Health Plans of NC.
For 2026, Franklin County residents can choose from 9 Blue Cross NC plans on the Marketplace, plus Blue Advantage plans off the Marketplace, spanning multiple coverage tiers and two distinct plan networks, each connecting to a different set of local and regional providers. The Blue Advantage network offers a PPO structure available off-Marketplace, while the Blue Home with UNC Health Alliance network provides EPO coverage centered on UNC Health hospitals and affiliated providers including UNC Health Johnston. Selecting the right network matters in Franklin County because HMO and EPO plans typically require care to stay within a defined network, while the PPO structure of Blue Advantage provides broader flexibility when accessing regional specialists and hospitals.
Blue Advantage, PPO structure, connects Franklin County residents to the largest available nationwide network and is offered exclusively off-Marketplace for individual and family coverage.
Blue Home with UNC Health Alliance, EPO structure, centers care around UNC Health hospitals and affiliated providers including UNC Health Johnston in Smithfield, serving Franklin County residents who prefer coordinated network care.
EPO plans like Blue Home with UNC Health Alliance let Franklin County members choose a primary care provider to help coordinate care, with no referrals needed before seeing specialists within the UNC Health network.
The PPO structure of Blue Advantage gives Franklin County residents the flexibility to see both in-network and out-of-network providers, including regional hospitals such as Duke Raleigh Hospital, with varying cost-sharing.
Franklin County residents managing ongoing care at facilities affiliated with UNC Health Alliance will find the Blue Home network aligns closely with their existing provider relationships.
Health Plans of NC can help Franklin County residents determine which of the two available networks best matches their preferred doctors, local clinics, and hospital access needs.
Bronze plans in Franklin County start at approximately $443.10/month before subsidies. With a median household income of $71,386, many residents qualify for premium tax credits. Subsidies may reduce your monthly premium significantly based on income.
Bronze plans in Franklin County start at $443.10 per month for a 35-year-old before subsidies, offering the lowest premiums with higher deductibles and out-of-pocket costs.
Silver plans start at $569.49 per month in Franklin County for a 35-year-old and are the only tier eligible for cost-sharing reductions, which lower deductibles and copays for qualifying residents.
Gold plans start at $588.91 per month in Franklin County for a 35-year-old, providing lower out-of-pocket costs in exchange for a higher monthly premium.
Franklin County households earning between 100% and 400% of the federal poverty level typically qualify for ACA premium tax credits that can reduce monthly costs by hundreds of dollars.
Residents with incomes near the poverty level may qualify for $0-premium Silver plans after tax credits are applied, making comprehensive coverage accessible without a monthly payment.
Working with a Health Plans of NC agent ensures Franklin County residents receive an accurate subsidy estimate based on their actual household size and income before selecting a plan.
Blue Cross NC is one of four carriers offering ACA Marketplace health insurance plans in Franklin County for 2026, with 9 total plans on the Marketplace, plus Blue Advantage plans off the Marketplace, available across multiple coverage tiers and plan structures. The two available plan networks are Blue Advantage, a PPO offered off-Marketplace, and Blue Home with UNC Health Alliance, an EPO centered on UNC Health hospitals and affiliated providers. Blue Home with UNC Health Alliance connects Franklin County members directly to UNC Health Johnston and the broader UNC Health system, while Blue Advantage provides access to a large nationwide provider network suited to residents who want maximum flexibility. Choosing between these two networks has a direct impact on which local clinics, specialists, and hospitals Franklin County residents can access without incurring additional out-of-pocket costs. Health Plans of NC compares every available Blue Cross NC plan side-by-side at no cost, helping Franklin County residents select the structure and network that best fits their care needs.
Blue Cross NC, offering EPO plans through Blue Home with UNC Health Alliance and PPO plans through Blue Advantage, with 9 total plans on the Marketplace, plus Blue Advantage plans off the Marketplace, available in Franklin County for 2026.
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 eligibility to thousands of previously uninsured Franklin County residents. Franklin County currently has an uninsured rate of 9.8%, representing approximately 7,000 residents without coverage, many of whom may now qualify for Medicaid or subsidized Marketplace plans following expansion. Children in Franklin 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 coverage for pediatric care. Health Plans of NC offers free eligibility checks so Franklin County residents can quickly determine whether they qualify for Medicaid, CHIP, or a subsidized ACA plan.
Working adults in Franklin County earning at or below 138% of the federal poverty level are now eligible for full Medicaid coverage following North Carolina's expansion in December 2023.
Children in Franklin County households may qualify for NC Health Choice (CHIP) if family income falls at or below 210% of the federal poverty level, providing affordable pediatric coverage.
Pregnant women in Franklin County are eligible for Medicaid coverage that includes prenatal care, delivery, and postpartum services through qualifying providers in the local network.
Franklin County has a poverty rate of 10.1%, meaning a significant share of residents may qualify for Medicaid and receive care at local facilities including Maria Parham Health and the Franklin County Health Department.
Franklin County residents with disabilities or seniors with limited income may qualify for Medicaid programs that cover long-term care, prescription drugs, and specialty services beyond standard Marketplace plans.
Health Plans of NC licensed agents serve Franklin County residents at no cost, comparing every available 2026 plan side-by-side to find the right fit for your budget, providers, and household needs. Call 800-797-0327 today to speak with a local agent and get personalized help with enrollment at no charge.
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 Franklin 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.
Franklin County does not have a hospital within its borders. The hospitals below are located in neighboring counties and serve Franklin County residents.
Hospital | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
Granville Health System | 1010 College St, Oxford, NC 27565 | |
ECU Health North Hospital | 250 Smith Church Rd, Roanoke Rapids, NC 27870 | |
UNC Health Johnston | 509 Bright Leaf Blvd, Smithfield, NC 27577 | |
UNC Health Nash | 2460 Curtis Ellis Dr, Rocky Mount, NC 27804 | |
Maria Parham Health | 566 Ruin Creek Rd, Henderson, NC 27536 | |
UNC Rex Hospital | 4420 Lake Boone Trail, Raleigh, NC 27607 | |
WakeMed Cary Hospital | 1900 Kildare Farm Rd, Cary, NC 27518 | |
WakeMed Raleigh Campus | 3000 New Bern Ave, Raleigh, NC 27610 |
Clinic | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
Advance Community Health-Franklin County CarePlex | 205 Sandalwood Ave, Louisburg, NC 27549 | |
Maria Parham Franklin Primary & Women's Care | 1501 N Bickett Blvd Ste D, Louisburg, NC 27549 | |
Adams Primary Care | 216 N Bickett Blvd Ste 5, Louisburg, NC 27549 | |
Bunn Medical Center | 285 Main St, Bunn, NC 27508 | |
Bunn Primary Care | 23 NC 98 Hwy E Ste 400, Bunn, NC 27508 | |
Impact Primary and Urgent Care | 315 Franklin Plz, Louisburg, NC 27549 | |
Louisburg Internal Medicine | 948 N Main St, Louisburg, NC 27549 | |
Mdfamily Medical Group | 8 S Main St, Franklinton, NC 27525 | |
Medaccess Urgent Care | 700 US 1 Hwy Ste 100, Youngsville, NC 27596 | |
Novant Health Catalyst Family & Sports Medicine | 205 Sandalwood Ave Suite A, Louisburg, NC 27549 |
Franklin County ZIP Codes include: 27508, 27525, 27549, and 27596
