Find Your Most Affordable Health Insurance Plan in Gates County
in North Carolina
Gates County residents can compare 14 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 Gates County, NC with Health Plans of NC. Health Plans of NC helps Gates County, NC residents find affordable health insurance coverage, working with local employers like Gates County Schools and nearby health systems to connect families with the right plan for their 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 |
Gates County is a rural community of 10,437 residents in northeast North Carolina, with a population that has shifted by -0.4% since 2020 and a foreign-born resident share of 1.3%, reflecting a tightly knit local community with distinct healthcare access needs. Major employers such as Gates County Schools, Gates County government, Green Forestry, Ashton Lewis Lumber, and Gatesville Nursing anchor the local workforce, and many residents rely on nearby health systems including Sentara Albemarle Medical Center and Vidant Bertie Hospital for routine and specialty care. Health Plans of NC helps Gates County residents navigate every available coverage pathway, from ACA Marketplace plans to Medicaid, ensuring no family goes without a suitable option.
ACA Marketplace coverage is available to Gates County residents who do not receive insurance through employers like Gates County Schools or Green Forestry and need individual or family plans.
Medicaid coverage serves income-eligible Gates County residents, including those employed part-time at local businesses like Ashton Lewis Lumber who may not have access to employer-sponsored benefits.
Employer-sponsored health insurance is offered by larger Gates County employers such as Gates County Schools and Gatesville Nursing, providing group coverage to eligible full-time employees and their families.
Short-term health plans may provide temporary coverage for Gates County residents between jobs or awaiting open enrollment, offering a bridge while transitioning between employers in the local area.
COBRA continuation coverage allows Gates County residents who leave jobs at local employers like Gates County government or Green Forestry to maintain their existing group health benefits for a limited period.
SHOP Marketplace small business plans are available to small employers in Gates County, such as local forestry or lumber businesses, allowing them to offer group coverage to their employees through the ACA small business exchange.
For 2026, Gates County residents have access to 14 health insurance plans through Blue Cross NC, offered across two distinct plan networks, Blue Advantage and Blue Care, both structured as PPO plans that allow access to a broad range of providers without requiring referrals. The Blue Advantage PPO network provides the largest nationwide coverage footprint, while the Blue Care PPO network offers broad statewide access, both connecting Gates County residents to nearby regional facilities including Sentara Albemarle Medical Center in Elizabeth City and ECU Health Chowan Hospital in Edenton. Health Plans of NC helps residents compare all available networks and plan structures side-by-side at no cost to identify the option that best fits their provider relationships and care preferences.
Blue Advantage PPO, the largest nationwide network, gives Gates County residents in-network access to over 95% of NC doctors, including providers at Sentara Albemarle Medical Center in Elizabeth City.
Blue Advantage PPO coverage extends to regional specialty clinics such as ECU Health Endocrinology in Ahoskie and ECU Health Neurology in Edenton, supporting Gates County residents managing complex conditions.
Blue Care PPO provides broad statewide network access covering over 92% of NC doctors, connecting Gates County residents to facilities like ECU Health Roanoke-Chowan Hospital in Ahoskie.
Blue Care PPO supports access to primary care clinics used by Gates County residents, including ECU Health Family Medicine in Hertford and ECU Health Internal Medicine in Edenton.
Both Blue Advantage and Blue Care PPO plans allow Gates County residents to see specialists at ECU Health Orthopedics in Roanoke Rapids and ECU Health Multispecialty in Edenton without a referral requirement.
Selecting the right plan network is especially important for Gates County residents who must travel to reach specialists, making it critical to confirm that preferred providers are in-network before enrolling.
Bronze plans in Gates County start at approximately $476.59/month before subsidies. With a median household income of $61,612, many residents qualify for premium tax credits. Subsidies may reduce your monthly premium significantly based on income.
Bronze plans start at $476.59 per month for a 35-year-old in Gates County before subsidies, offering the lowest available monthly premiums paired with higher deductibles for those who prefer lower upfront costs.
Silver plans start at $612.52 per month before subsidies and are the only tier eligible for cost-sharing reductions, which lower deductibles and copays for qualifying Gates County households.
Gold plans start at $633.41 per month before subsidies, providing lower out-of-pocket costs throughout the year and making them well-suited for Gates County residents with frequent healthcare needs.
Gates County residents with household incomes between 100% and 400% of the federal poverty level qualify for premium tax credits that can significantly reduce monthly costs below the Bronze starting price of $476.59.
Some Gates County households may qualify for $0-premium Silver plans after ACA tax credits are applied, depending on household size and income relative to the federal poverty level.
Gates County residents whose incomes fall near 138% of the federal poverty level should compare subsidized Marketplace plans against Medicaid eligibility to identify the most cost-effective coverage pathway available to them.
For 2026, Blue Cross NC is the sole ACA Marketplace carrier serving Gates County, offering a total of 14 individual and family health insurance plans across two available networks, Blue Advantage and Blue Care. Both networks are structured as PPO plans, giving Gates County residents the flexibility to access care without referrals across a broad range of in-network providers in the region. The Blue Advantage PPO network connects residents to the largest nationwide provider base, while the Blue Care PPO network delivers broad statewide access, both reaching key regional facilities like Sentara Albemarle Medical Center and ECU Health Chowan Hospital. Network selection has a direct impact on which local hospitals, primary care providers, and specialists are available at in-network rates, making it essential for Gates County residents to review provider directories carefully before choosing a plan. Health Plans of NC compares every available Blue Cross NC plan side-by-side at no cost, helping residents identify the carrier network and plan tier that best aligns with their provider preferences and budget.
Blue Cross NC, PPO plans across Blue Advantage and Blue Care networks, 14 plans available in Gates 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, a change that opened eligibility to many Gates County residents who previously had no affordable coverage options. Currently, 6.6% of Gates County residents, approximately 1,000 people, remain uninsured, and a meaningful share of those individuals may now qualify for Medicaid or subsidized Marketplace coverage without realizing it. Gates County's poverty rate of 11.8% means a significant portion of the local population falls within or near Medicaid eligibility thresholds, making it especially important for residents to check their status. Children in Gates County families earning up to 210% of the federal poverty level may qualify for NC Health Choice, the state's CHIP program, providing comprehensive low-cost coverage for young residents, and Health Plans of NC offers free eligibility screenings to help families determine which program best fits their situation.
Working adults in Gates County who earn at or below 138% of the federal poverty level may qualify for full Medicaid coverage at little to no cost following North Carolina's December 2023 expansion.
Children in Gates County households earning up to 210% of the federal poverty level may be eligible for NC Health Choice, the state CHIP program, which provides comprehensive and low-cost health coverage.
Pregnant women in Gates County may qualify for Medicaid coverage with an expanded income threshold, ensuring access to prenatal and maternity care through participating regional providers.
Gates County's poverty rate of 11.8% means that a substantial share of local residents may meet the income criteria for Medicaid, particularly those in part-time or seasonal employment with limited access to employer benefits.
Low-income seniors and individuals with disabilities in Gates County may qualify for dual-eligibility programs that combine Medicaid with Medicare, reducing out-of-pocket costs for those on fixed incomes.
Health Plans of NC licensed agents serve Gates County residents at no cost, comparing every available plan side-by-side and guiding families through enrollment from start to finish. Call 800-797-0327 today to speak with an 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 Gates 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 |
|---|---|---|
ECU Health Bertie Hospital | 1403 S King St, Windsor, NC 27983 | (252) 794-6600 |
ECU Health Chowan Hospital | 211 Virginia Rd, Edenton, NC 27932 | (252) 482-8451 |
ECU Health Edgecombe Hospital | 111 Hospital Dr, Tarboro, NC 27886 | (252) 641-7700 |
ECU Health North Hospital | 250 Smith Church Rd, Roanoke Rapids, NC 27870 | (252) 535-8011 |
ECU Health Roanoke-Chowan Hosp | 500 Academy St S, Ahoskie, NC 27910 | (252) 209-3000 |
Martin General Hospital | 310 S Mccaskey Rd, Williamston, NC 27892 | (252) 809-6300 |
Outer Banks Hospital | 4800 S Croatan Hwy, Nags Head, NC 27959 | (252) 449-4500 |
Sentara Albemarle Medical Ctr | 1144 N Road St, Elizabeth City, NC 27909 | (252) 335-0531 |
Washington Regional Med Ctr | 958 US Highway 64 E, Plymouth, NC 27962 | (252) 793-4135 |
Clinic | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
ECU Health Endocrinology-Ahsk | 226 Academy St S, Ahoskie, NC 27910 | (252) 209-3991 |
ECU Health Family Medicine | 1124 Harvey Point Rd, Hertford, NC 27944 | (252) 426-2946 |
ECU Health Family Medicine | 1385 Medical Center Dr # 4942, Roanoke Rapids, NC 27870 | (252) 537-9176 |
ECU Health Heart-Vascular Care | 220 Smith Church Rd, Roanoke Rapids, NC 27870 | (252) 537-9268 |
ECU Health Internal Medicine | 104 Mark Dr, Edenton, NC 27932 | (252) 482-5171 |
ECU Health Multispecialty | 113 Virginia Rd, Edenton, NC 27932 | (252) 482-3047 |
ECU Health Neurology-Edenton | 203 Earnhart Dr # B, Edenton, NC 27932 | (252) 482-5868 |
ECU Health Orthopedics-Roanoke | 171 N Carolina 125, Roanoke Rapids, NC 27870 | (252) 537-5631 |
ECU Health Pulmonology-Ahoskie | 222 Academy St S, Ahoskie, NC 27910 | (252) 209-3440 |
ECU Health Sleep Medicine | 240 Smith Church Rd # A, Roanoke Rapids, NC 27870 | (252) 535-1082 |
Halifax Regional Med Ctr Inc | 250 Smith Church Rd, Roanoke Rapids, NC, 27870, Not AvailableIsland Medical Ctr, 715 US Highway 64, Manteo, NC 27954 | (252) 473-2500 |
Sentara Vascular Specialists | 5200 N Croatan Hwy # 6, Kitty Hawk, NC 27949 | (252) 255-6125 |
Signature Healthcare | 305 E 14th St, Roanoke Rapids, NC 27870 | (252) 537-6181 |
Vidant Sleep Medicine-Roanoke | 240 Smith Church Rd, Roanoke Rapids, NC 27870 | (252) 535-1082 |
Gates County ZIP Codes include: 27926, 27935, 27937, 27938, 27946, 27969, and 27979
