Find an Affordable Health Insurance Plan in Lee 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 |
| Cigna Healthcare | 7 |
| Total | 31 |
Source: CMS QHP Landscape PY2026, Individual Market Medical, updated August 26, 2026 (data.healthcare.gov). Counts distinct Plan IDs offered on the Marketplace in Lee County, once per carrier.
in North Carolina
Find affordable health insurance in Lee County, NC with Health Plans of NC. Health Plans of NC helps residents of Lee County, North Carolina find and compare health insurance coverage at no cost, with access to plans through Blue Cross NC that connect to local health systems including Central Carolina Hospital. Whether you work for a major employer like Caterpillar or Pfizer, are self-employed, or need individual coverage, Health Plans of NC can guide you to the right plan for your household.
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 |
Lee County is home to 64,565 residents and has grown 2.0% since 2020, with 9.6% of residents being foreign-born, reflecting a diverse community with a wide range of coverage needs. Major employers such as Caterpillar, Pfizer, Pilgrim's Pride, Lee County Schools, and Central Carolina Community College offer employer-sponsored group health benefits, while health systems including Central Carolina Hospital and UNC Health serve as anchor providers for residents across all plan types. From ACA Marketplace plans to Medicaid, COBRA, and small business options, Lee County residents have multiple pathways to coverage depending on their employment, income, and family situation.
ACA Marketplace plans are available to Lee County residents who do not have access to affordable employer coverage, connecting enrollees to providers at Central Carolina Hospital and UNC Health facilities.
Medicaid coverage serves qualifying low-income Lee County residents, including workers at Pilgrim's Pride and other employers whose household incomes fall within eligibility thresholds.
Employer-sponsored group health plans are offered by major Lee County employers including Caterpillar, Pfizer, and Lee County Schools, covering employees and their dependents through negotiated group benefits.
Short-term health plans may provide temporary coverage for Lee County residents between jobs or waiting for open enrollment, though they offer limited benefits compared to ACA-compliant plans.
COBRA continuation coverage allows Lee County residents who lose employer-sponsored benefits, such as those previously employed by Central Carolina Community College or Pilgrim's Pride, to maintain their existing plan for a limited period.
Small business SHOP Marketplace plans are available to Lee County small business owners who want to offer group coverage to employees, supporting the local workforce connected to providers at Central Carolina Hospital.
For 2026, Lee County residents can choose from plans offered under two Blue Cross NC networks: Blue Advantage, a PPO available off-Marketplace only, and Blue Home with UNC Health Alliance, an EPO connecting enrollees to UNC Health hospitals and affiliated providers. Blue Advantage provides the broadest access, with over 95% of North Carolina doctors participating in-network, making it a strong option for Lee County residents who want flexibility to see specialists without a referral. Blue Home with UNC Health Alliance is structured as an EPO, meaning enrollees use the UNC Health Alliance network and may choose a primary care provider to help coordinate care, which is well-suited for residents who already receive care through UNC Health affiliated facilities.
Blue Advantage, a PPO network available off-Marketplace only, includes over 95% of North Carolina doctors in-network and offers Lee County residents broad provider flexibility without referrals.
Blue Home with UNC Health Alliance, an EPO network, connects Lee County enrollees to UNC Health hospitals and their affiliated provider network, coordinating care through a selected primary care provider.
EPO plans under Blue Home with UNC Health Alliance do not require Lee County residents to obtain referrals for specialist visits, though coordinating with a primary care provider can still be a helpful step in using the plan effectively.
Plans under Blue Advantage allow Lee County residents to see specialists at facilities such as Sanford Orthopedics and Sports Medicine or Carolina Women's Health Center without needing a prior referral.
Lee County residents should verify that their preferred local providers, including those at Central Carolina Hospital, are included in their chosen plan network before completing enrollment.
Health Plans of NC can compare both available 2026 networks side by side at no cost, helping Lee County residents identify which plan structure best matches their provider relationships and coverage needs.
Bronze plans in Lee County start at approximately $463.63/month before subsidies. With a median household income of $63,060, many residents qualify for premium tax credits. Subsidies may reduce your monthly premium significantly based on income.
Bronze plans in Lee County start at $463.63 per month for a 35-year-old before subsidies, offering the lowest monthly premium with a higher deductible before coverage kicks in.
Silver plans start at $593.60 per month for a 35-year-old before subsidies, and Silver is the only tier eligible for cost-sharing reductions that lower deductibles and copays for qualifying households.
Gold plans start at $626.35 per month for a 35-year-old before subsidies, providing lower out-of-pocket costs throughout the year in exchange for a higher monthly premium.
Lee County residents with household incomes between 100% and 400% of the federal poverty level qualify for ACA premium tax credits that can reduce monthly premiums well below the listed starting prices.
Households earning near or just above the county median income of $63,060 may still qualify for meaningful subsidies that make Silver or Gold plans competitive in monthly cost.
Some lower-income Lee County residents qualify for a $0-premium Silver plan after tax credits are applied, making comprehensive mid-tier coverage available at no monthly cost.
Blue Cross NC is one of three ACA Marketplace carriers offering plans in Lee County for 2026, with 9 plans on the Marketplace, plus Blue Advantage plans off the Marketplace, available across multiple coverage tiers and network structures. The two plan networks available in Lee County are Blue Advantage, a PPO offered off-Marketplace only, and Blue Home with UNC Health Alliance, an EPO that routes care through UNC Health hospitals and affiliated providers. Blue Home with UNC Health Alliance connects Lee County enrollees directly to UNC Health facilities, while Blue Advantage provides the broadest statewide provider access for residents who need flexibility across a wide range of local and regional providers. The choice between these networks has a direct impact on which local hospitals, clinics, and specialists a Lee County resident can access at in-network rates, making careful network comparison an essential step before enrollment. Health Plans of NC compares every available Blue Cross NC plan side by side at no cost, helping Lee County residents select the network and tier that best fits their healthcare needs.
Blue Cross NC: one of three ACA Marketplace carriers in Lee County for 2026, offering 9 plans on the Marketplace, plus Blue Advantage plans off the Marketplace, across EPO and PPO network structures including Blue Home with UNC Health Alliance and Blue Advantage.
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 has opened eligibility to many Lee County residents who were previously uninsured. Currently 12.4% of Lee County residents, approximately 8,000 people, remain uninsured, and a significant portion of them may now qualify for Medicaid or subsidized Marketplace coverage. Children in 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 and enrollment assistance so Lee County residents can quickly determine whether they qualify for Medicaid, CHIP, or a subsidized Marketplace plan.
Working adults in Lee County earning up to 138% of the federal poverty level may qualify for NC Medicaid, covering primary care, mental health services, and preventive screenings at no or very low cost.
Children in Lee County families earning up to 210% of the federal poverty level may qualify for NC Health Choice, providing affordable pediatric coverage including well-child visits and immunizations.
Pregnant women in Lee County are eligible for Medicaid coverage that includes prenatal care, delivery, and postpartum services, ensuring access to maternal health providers in the area.
Low-income seniors in Lee County who qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid, known as dual-eligible individuals, may receive additional benefits that help cover premiums, copays, and long-term services.
Lee County residents with disabilities who meet income requirements may qualify for Medicaid, and with a county poverty rate of 15.5%, outreach to this population remains a meaningful local priority.
Health Plans of NC licensed agents serve Lee County residents at no cost, comparing every available 2026 plan side by side and guiding you through enrollment from start to finish. Call 800-797-0327 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 Lee 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 |
|---|---|---|
Central Carolina Hospital | 1135 Carthage St, Sanford, NC 27330 |
Clinic | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
Central Carolina Community Family Care | 2412 Wilkins Dr, Sanford, NC 27330 | |
Central Carolina Family Care South | 1140 Carthage St Ste B, Sanford, NC 27330 | |
Central Carolina Gynecology and Aesthetics | 127 N Steele St, Sanford, NC 27330 | |
Central Carolina Sandhills Family Care | 1125 Carthage St, Sanford, NC 27330 | |
Central Carolina Women's Health Center | 1140 Carthage St Ste A, Sanford, NC 27330 | |
Fast Pace Health | 202 Jefferson St, Sanford, NC 27330 | |
Goshen Medical Center - Sanford | 2807 S Horner Blvd, Sanford, NC 27332 | |
Sanford Community Health Center | 1301 Central Dr, Sanford, NC 27330 |
Lee County ZIP Codes include: 27237, 27330, 27331, 27332, and 28355
