Find an Affordable Health Insurance Plan in Johnston 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 Johnston County, once per carrier.
in North Carolina
Find affordable health insurance in Johnston County, NC with Health Plans of NC. Health Plans of NC helps Johnston County residents find and compare health insurance coverage for 2026, working with local employers like Novo Nordisk and health systems like UNC Health Johnston to ensure every family has access to a plan that fits their needs and their local providers.
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 |
Johnston County, with a population of 226,623 residents growing at 4.9% since 2020, has a diverse coverage landscape shaped by major employers such as Johnston County Schools, Novo Nordisk, Amazon, UNC Rex Healthcare, and Grifols Therapeutics, all of which influence the mix of employer-sponsored and individual market options available to local families. Health systems including Johnston Health UNC and WakeMed serve county residents across Smithfield, Clayton, and surrounding communities, making network compatibility a key consideration when choosing a plan. With 8.5% of residents being foreign-born, Health Plans of NC offers multilingual support and personalized guidance to help every household navigate their coverage options.
ACA Marketplace coverage through Blue Cross NC gives Johnston County residents access to plans that work with Johnston Health UNC facilities in Smithfield and Clayton for comprehensive individual and family protection.
Medicaid and NC Medicaid Managed Care coverage is available to eligible low-income Johnston County residents, connecting them to services at Johnston County Public Health Department including immunizations and prenatal care.
Employer-sponsored insurance is a primary coverage source for employees of major Johnston County employers such as Novo Nordisk, Amazon, Johnston County Schools, and Grifols Therapeutics, often including access to WakeMed and UNC Health Johnston networks.
Short-term health plans may serve Johnston County residents in transition between jobs at employers like Amazon or UNC Rex Healthcare, providing temporary protection while permanent coverage is arranged.
COBRA continuation coverage allows Johnston County workers who separate from employers such as Grifols Therapeutics or Johnston County Schools to maintain their existing plan for a limited period after leaving their job.
Small business SHOP Marketplace plans are available to Johnston County small business owners who want to offer their employees group health coverage connected to local providers at Johnston Health UNC and WakeMed.
For 2026, Johnston County residents can choose from 9 plans on the Marketplace, plus Blue Advantage plans off the Marketplace, offered through Blue Cross NC, structured across PPO, EPO, and Catastrophic plan types, each connecting to different local and regional provider networks depending on the coverage tier selected. Two primary plan networks are available: Blue Advantage, a PPO available off-Marketplace, and Blue Home with UNC Health Alliance, an EPO built around UNC Health hospitals and affiliated providers including UNC Health Johnston. Health Plans of NC helps residents compare each plan structure side by side to determine which network best fits their pattern of care and their preferred local facilities.
Blue Advantage, a PPO network available off-Marketplace only, provides the largest nationwide network coverage and connects Johnston County residents to the broadest range of in-network physicians and facilities across North Carolina and beyond.
Blue Home with UNC Health Alliance, an EPO network, centers care around UNC Health hospitals and affiliated providers, making it a strong fit for Johnston County residents who primarily use UNC Health Johnston in Smithfield and Clayton.
EPO plan structures within the Blue Home with UNC Health Alliance network do not require referrals to see specialists, which Johnston County residents should factor in when evaluating access to cardiology, oncology, and orthopedic services.
Plan structures within the Blue Advantage network offer Johnston County residents greater flexibility to access out-of-county facilities such as WakeMed and Rex Hospital without requiring a primary care referral.
Plan options available through Blue Cross NC in Johnston County combine lower premiums with a defined provider network, requiring residents to confirm that their preferred local clinics and specialists are included before enrolling.
Catastrophic plans are available to Johnston County residents under age 30 or those qualifying for a hardship exemption, offering low monthly premiums with high deductibles for protection against major medical events.
Bronze plans in Johnston County start at approximately $463.63/month before subsidies. With a median household income of $79,838, many residents qualify for premium tax credits. Subsidies may reduce your monthly premium significantly based on income.
Bronze plans in Johnston County start at $463.63 per month before subsidies for a 35-year-old, offering the lowest available monthly premiums with higher out-of-pocket costs when care is used.
Silver plans start at $593.60 per month before subsidies and are the only tier eligible for cost-sharing reductions, which lower deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums for qualifying Johnston County households.
Gold plans start at $626.35 per month before subsidies, providing lower out-of-pocket costs throughout the year and making them cost-effective for Johnston County residents who use healthcare services frequently.
Johnston County households earning between 100% and 400% of the federal poverty level qualify for ACA premium tax credits, with the county's median household income of $79,838 placing many families within the eligible range.
Households earning between 100% and 250% of the federal poverty level may qualify for both premium tax credits and cost-sharing reductions, making a Silver plan the highest-value option for many Johnston County families.
Some Johnston County residents with incomes near the lower end of the subsidy range may qualify for $0-premium Silver plans, meaning comprehensive mid-tier coverage at no monthly cost after tax credits are applied.
Blue Cross NC is one of four ACA Marketplace carriers offering health insurance plans in Johnston County for 2026, with 9 total plans on the Marketplace, plus Blue Advantage plans off the Marketplace, available across PPO, EPO, and Catastrophic coverage structures. These plans are organized under two primary networks: Blue Advantage, a PPO available off-Marketplace, and Blue Home with UNC Health Alliance, an EPO centered on UNC Health hospitals and affiliated providers. The Blue Home with UNC Health Alliance network connects Johnston County residents directly to UNC Health Johnston in Smithfield and Clayton, while the Blue Advantage network opens access to a broader statewide and national provider base including WakeMed facilities. Network selection has a direct impact on whether Johnston County residents can access out-of-county specialists at facilities like Duke Raleigh Hospital or Rex Hospital without incurring out-of-network costs, making the choice between plan types a meaningful financial and clinical decision. Health Plans of NC agents compare every available Blue Cross NC plan side by side at no cost, helping Johnston County residents select the right network and coverage level for their household.
Blue Cross NC, offering 9 ACA Marketplace plans, plus Blue Advantage plans off the Marketplace, in Johnston County for 2026, including EPO plans through the Blue Home with UNC Health Alliance network and PPO plans through the Blue Advantage network available off-Marketplace.
North Carolina expanded Medicaid in December 2023, extending free or low-cost coverage to Johnston County adults earning up to 138% of the federal poverty level and significantly broadening eligibility across the county. Johnston County currently has an uninsured rate of 11.1%, representing approximately 25,000 residents without coverage, many of whom may now qualify for Medicaid or subsidized Marketplace plans and may not yet be aware of their options. Children in Johnston County households 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 minors. Health Plans of NC offers free eligibility checks for Johnston County residents who want to know whether they qualify for Medicaid, CHIP, or a subsidized Marketplace plan.
Working adults in Johnston County earning at or below 138% of the federal poverty level are now eligible for NC Medicaid following the December 2023 expansion, including many employed in part-time or seasonal roles.
Children in Johnston County families may qualify for NC Health Choice CHIP coverage up to 210% of the federal poverty level, providing access to pediatric care at local clinics and Johnston Health UNC facilities.
Pregnant women in Johnston County are eligible for expanded Medicaid coverage that includes prenatal care, delivery services, and postpartum support through the Johnston County Public Health Department.
Johnston County residents with disabilities or chronic conditions may qualify for Medicaid based on both income and disability status, providing ongoing access to specialist care and long-term services in the county.
With a poverty rate of 11.2%, a meaningful share of Johnston County residents may qualify for full Medicaid benefits covering primary care, behavioral health through Alliance Health, and pharmacy services at no cost.
Health Plans of NC licensed agents serve Johnston County residents at no cost, comparing every available 2026 plan side by side and walking families through enrollment from start to finish. Call 800-797-0327 today to get a free personalized quote and find out exactly what you will pay for coverage in Johnston County.
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 Johnston 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 |
|---|---|---|
UNC Health Johnston | 509 Bright Leaf Blvd, Smithfield, NC 27577 |
Clinic | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
Benson Area Medical Center | 3333 NC Hwy 242 N, Benson, NC 27504 | |
CommWell Health of Four Oaks | 725 Boyette Rd, Four Oaks, NC 27524 | |
CommWell Health of McGee's Crossroads | 70 Crape Myrtle Dr STE 104, Benson, NC 27504 | |
CommWell Health of Smithfield | 507 N Brightleaf Blvd, Suite 209, Smithfield, NC 27577 | |
Princeton Pediatrics | 104 Commercial Dr, Princeton, NC 27569 | |
Central Medical Associates | 925 E Singh Plz, Benson, NC 27504 | |
Clayton Medical Associates P A | 100 Guy Rd, Clayton, NC 27520 | |
Duke Health Center of Smithfield | 507 N Brightleaf Blvd Suite 100, Smithfield, NC 27577 | |
Family Wellness Clinic | 2076 Hwy 42 W Suite 230, Clayton, NC 27520 | |
Horizon Family Medicine | 236 Butternut Ln, Clayton, NC 27520 |
Johnston County ZIP Codes include: 27504, 27520, 27524, 27527, 27528, 27542, 27555, 27568, 27569, 27576, 27577, and 27593
