
Macon County residents can compare 16 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 Macon County, NC with Health Plans of NC. Health Plans of NC helps Macon County, NC residents find and compare affordable health insurance options, from ACA marketplace plans to employer-sponsored coverage through major local employers like Angel Medical Center and Macon County Schools. Whether you are self-employed, between jobs, or exploring coverage for your family, Health Plans of NC guides you through every available plan at no cost.
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 |
Macon County is a mountain community of 37,533 residents that has grown 1.4% since 2020, with 5.7% of residents being foreign-born, reflecting a diverse population with varied coverage needs. Major employers such as Macon County Schools, Macon County government, Ingles Markets, TaxAct Administrative Services, and Angel Medical Center provide employer-sponsored insurance to many locals, while health systems including Angel Medical Center and Mission Health HCA anchor the local care network. For those without job-based coverage, several additional options exist to ensure Macon County residents can access the care they need.
ACA Marketplace plans are available to Macon County residents who are self-employed, work part-time at employers like Ingles Markets, or do not have access to job-based coverage.
Medicaid expansion coverage is available to qualifying low-income Macon County adults, connecting them to providers within the Angel Medical Center and Mission Health HCA networks.
Employer-sponsored plans are offered by major Macon County employers including Macon County Schools, Macon County government, and Angel Medical Center for eligible employees and their dependents.
Short-term health plans are an option for Macon County residents in temporary coverage gaps, such as those transitioning between jobs at local employers like TaxAct Administrative Services or Ingles Markets.
COBRA continuation coverage allows Macon County residents who leave a qualifying employer, such as Angel Medical Center or Macon County Schools, to maintain their existing plan for a limited period.
Small business SHOP marketplace plans are available to Macon County small business owners who want to offer group health benefits to employees, with guidance available through Health Plans of NC.
For 2026, Macon County residents have access to 16 health insurance plans through Blue Cross NC, available across two plan networks: Blue Advantage and Blue Care, both structured as PPO plans that offer meaningful flexibility in accessing local providers. Blue Advantage connects Macon County residents to the largest nationwide PPO network, while Blue Care provides broad statewide PPO access, both designed to work with key local facilities including Angel Medical Center in Franklin and Highlands-Cashiers Hospital in Highlands. Health Plans of NC helps residents compare every available plan across both networks to find the right combination of coverage and provider access.
Blue Advantage, PPO, connects Macon County residents to the largest nationwide network, giving broad access to Angel Medical Center, Highlands-Cashiers Hospital, and providers beyond western North Carolina.
Blue Care, PPO, provides broad statewide network access for Macon County residents, supporting in-network visits to facilities like Angel Medical Center in Franklin and Mission Health Ctr Highlands.
Both Blue Advantage and Blue Care PPO plans allow Macon County residents to see specialists such as Asheville Cardiology Associates at Highlands-Cashiers Hospital without requiring a primary care referral.
Blue Advantage plans offer the widest provider reach for Macon County residents who travel frequently or require specialty care at facilities outside of western North Carolina.
Blue Care plans are well suited for Macon County residents who primarily seek care locally at providers like Center For Family Medicine in Franklin or Primary Care Franklin and prefer a straightforward statewide network.
Both networks include PPO flexibility, meaning Macon County residents can choose to see out-of-network providers at a higher cost if needed, providing a safety net beyond in-network local facilities.
Bronze plans in Macon County start at approximately $443.10/month before subsidies. With a median household income of $53,298, many residents qualify for premium tax credits. Subsidies may reduce your monthly premium significantly based on income.
Bronze plans in Macon County start at $443.10 per month before subsidies, offering the lowest monthly premium with higher out-of-pocket costs when care is needed.
Silver plans start at $569.49 per month before subsidies and are the only tier eligible for cost-sharing reductions, which can significantly lower deductibles and copays for qualifying residents.
Gold plans start at $588.91 per month before subsidies, providing lower out-of-pocket costs throughout the year, making them a strong fit for residents who use medical services regularly.
Macon County residents with household incomes between 100% and 400% of the federal poverty level qualify for premium tax credits through the ACA marketplace, often reducing monthly costs well below the starting prices listed above.
Some Macon County households may qualify for a $0-premium Silver plan depending on their income and family size, based on enhanced federal subsidies currently available through the ACA.
Health Plans of NC provides free, personalized quotes for Macon County residents that include exact subsidy calculations so you can see your true net monthly premium before enrolling.
Blue Cross NC is the ACA marketplace carrier serving Macon County for 2026, offering a total of 16 individual and family health insurance plans across multiple coverage tiers. These plans are available through two PPO networks: Blue Advantage, which carries the largest nationwide provider network, and Blue Care, which provides broad statewide PPO coverage across North Carolina. Both networks connect Macon County residents to critical local facilities including Angel Medical Center in Franklin and Highlands-Cashiers Hospital in Highlands, as well as regional providers like Asheville Cardiology Associates and Mission Health Ctr Highlands. The network a Macon County resident selects directly affects whether they can access providers such as Center For Family Medicine in Franklin or the VA Medical Center in Canton without incurring out-of-network costs. Health Plans of NC compares every available Blue Cross NC plan side by side at no cost, helping Macon County residents choose the plan and network that best fits their provider relationships and budget.
Blue Cross NC: PPO plans available through the Blue Advantage and Blue Care networks, with 16 total plans offered in Macon County for 2026 across Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Catastrophic coverage tiers.
North Carolina expanded Medicaid in December 2023, extending free or low-cost coverage to adults in Macon County earning up to 138% of the federal poverty level. Currently, 14.4% of Macon County residents, approximately 5,000 people, remain uninsured, and many of them may already qualify for Medicaid or CHIP without knowing it. Children in Macon County families earning up to 210% of the federal poverty level may qualify for NC Health Choice, the state's CHIP program, which provides low-cost coverage for kids. Health Plans of NC offers free eligibility checks so Macon County residents can quickly find out whether they qualify for Medicaid, CHIP, or a subsidized marketplace plan.
Working adults in Macon County who are employed part-time or in lower-wage positions may qualify for Medicaid expansion if their household income falls at or below 138% of the federal poverty level.
Children in Macon County families with incomes up to 210% of the federal poverty level may qualify for NC Health Choice, providing comprehensive, low-cost coverage for routine and preventive pediatric care.
Pregnant women in Macon County may qualify for expanded Medicaid coverage with higher income thresholds, ensuring access to prenatal and delivery care at Angel Medical Center or other area hospitals.
Macon County seniors with low incomes may qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid simultaneously, known as dual eligibility, which can reduce or eliminate out-of-pocket costs for medical and long-term care.
Macon County residents with disabilities who meet income requirements may qualify for Medicaid, with a county poverty rate of 14.4% suggesting a meaningful share of locals could be eligible for this assistance.
Health Plans of NC licensed agents serve Macon County residents at no cost, comparing every available plan side by side and walking you through enrollment from start to finish. Call 800-797-0327 today to speak with an agent who knows the Macon County market and can help you find the right coverage for your needs and budget.
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 Macon 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 |
|---|---|---|
Angel Medical Ctr | 124 One Center Ct, Franklin, NC 28734 | (828) 524-8411 |
Cherokee Indian Hospital | 1 Hospital Rd, Cherokee, NC 28719 | (828) 497-9163 |
Erlanger Western Carolina Hosp | 3990 E US 64 Alt, Murphy, NC 28906 | (828) 837-8161 |
Harris Regional Hospital | 68 Hospital Rd, Sylva, NC 28779 | (828) 586-7000 |
Haywood Regional Medical Ctr | 262 Leroy George Dr, Clyde, NC 28721 | (828) 456-7311 |
Highlands-Cashiers Hospital | 190 Hospital Dr, Highlands, NC 28741 | (828) 526-1200 |
Swain Community Hospital | 45 Plateau St # 230, Bryson City, NC 28713 | (828) 488-2155 |
Transylvania Regional Hospital | 260 Hospital Dr, Brevard, NC 28712 | (828) 884-9111 |
Unity Healing Ctr | 448 Sequoyah Trl, Cherokee, NC 28719 | (828) 497-1800 |
Clinic | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
Angel Medical Ctr | 56 Medical Park Dr, Franklin, NC 28734 | (828) 542-8411 |
Asheville Cardiology Assoc | 190 Hospital Dr # 104, Highlands, NC 28741 | (828) 274-6000 |
Atlanta Gastroenterology Assoc | 145 Medical Park Ln # K, Murphy, NC 28906 | (404) 257-9000 |
Center For Family Medicine | 55 Holly Springs Park Dr, Franklin, NC 28734 | (828) 349-3550 |
Haywood Regional Medical Ctr | , Waynesville, NC 28786 | (828) 452-8070 |
Mission Community Primary Care | 57 White Owl Ln, Cashiers, NC 28717 | (828) 743-2491 |
Mission Health Ctr Highlands | 190 Hospital Dr, Highlands, NC 28741 | (828) 526-4942 |
Mission Urology-Brevard | 89 Hospital Dr # C, Brevard, NC 28712 | (828) 883-5858 |
Murphy Medical Ctr Emergency | 3990 E US 64 Alt, Murphy, NC 28906 | (828) 837-8300 |
Murphy Medical Ctr Human RSRCS | , Murphy, NC 28906 | (828) 835-7683 |
Murphy Medical Ctr Radiology | 3990 E US 64 Alt, Murphy, NC 28906 | (828) 835-7540 |
Murphy Medical Ctr | 3990 E US Highway 64 Alternate, Murphy, NC 28906 | (828) 835-7502 |
Murphy Medical Ctr | 4130 115 Highway 64 E, Murphy, NC 28906 | (828) 835-7505 |
Orthopedics-Sports Medicine | 190 Riverview St, Franklin, NC 28734 | (828) 349-8260 |
Ozarks Medical Ctr | PO Box 330, Marble, NC 28905 | (417) 257-5802 |
Primary Care Franklin | 190 Riverview St, Franklin, NC 28734 | (828) 349-6800 |
VA Medical Ctr | 45 HI Lane St, Canton, NC 28716 | (828) 298-7911 |
Macon County ZIP Codes include: 28734, 28741, 28744, 28763, 28775, and 28781