Find Your Most Affordable Health Insurance Plan in New Hanover County
in North Carolina
Nationwide (BlueCard®)
Nationwide network – Nationwide (BlueCard®)
Network: Anywhere in the U.S. and abroad2; 95%+ of NC doctors.1
Out-of-area care: Covered (lower benefit level).
Offered in Bronze, Silver, and Gold tiers.
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.
Statewide NC network
Statewide network – Statewide NC network
Network: North Carolina only. A large network, with more than 95% of North Carolina doctors and 98% of North Carolina hospitals in-network.
Out-of-area care: Emergency / urgent only.
Offered in Bronze, Silver, and Gold tiers.
Blue Care is available in all North Carolina counties, except: Alamance, Caswell, Chatham, Durham, Franklin, Johnston, Lee, Orange, Person, and Wake.
Limited statewide network
Limited network – Limited statewide network
Network: A limited multi-system NC network.
Out-of-area care: Emergency services and urgent care outside of NC are covered at the in-network benefit level. All other non-emergency covered services are covered at the out-of-network benefit level.
Offered in Bronze, Silver, and Gold tiers.
Blue Value is available on and off Marketplace to residents of these North Carolina counties: Alexander, Brunswick, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Cleveland, Columbus, Duplin, Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln, New Hanover, Onslow, Pender, and Surry.
| Carrier | Distinct plans |
|---|---|
| Blue Cross and Blue Shield of NC | 27 |
| Ambetter of North Carolina | 15 |
| UnitedHealthcare | 13 |
| Cigna Healthcare | 10 |
| Total | 65 |
Source: CMS QHP Landscape PY2026, Individual Market Medical, updated August 26, 2026 (data.healthcare.gov). Counts distinct Plan IDs offered on the Marketplace in New Hanover County, once per carrier.
in North Carolina
Find affordable health insurance in New Hanover County, NC with Health Plans of NC. Health Plans of NC helps residents of New Hanover County find affordable health insurance coverage, connecting locals to plans that include access to Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center and other leading providers in the Wilmington area.
Plan Network | Type | Network Coverage |
|---|---|---|
Blue Advantage | PPO | Largest nationwide network, 95%+ of NC doctors in-network |
Blue Care | HMO | Broad statewide network, 95%+ of NC doctors in-network |
Blue Value | POS | Value-focused HMO with lower premiums |
New Hanover County is home to 231,214 residents, a population that has grown 2.4% since 2020 and includes 6.1% foreign-born individuals who may have distinct coverage needs and eligibility considerations. Major employers such as Novant Health New Hanover Regional, New Hanover County Schools, UNC Wilmington, the County of New Hanover, and Walmart represent a wide range of employment situations, from large-group employer plans to positions without employer-sponsored benefits. Health systems including Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center and Cape Fear Memorial Hospital anchor the county's healthcare infrastructure, making plan network alignment a critical factor when choosing coverage.
ACA Marketplace plans are available for New Hanover County residents who do not receive benefits through large employers like Novant Health New Hanover Regional or New Hanover County Schools.
Medicaid coverage is an option for qualifying low-income residents in New Hanover County, including those employed part-time or in seasonal roles not connected to employer-sponsored benefits.
Employer-sponsored insurance is common among employees at major New Hanover County organizations such as UNC Wilmington, the County of New Hanover, and Novant Health New Hanover Regional.
Short-term health plans may serve as temporary gap coverage for New Hanover County residents between jobs or waiting for open enrollment at employers like Walmart.
COBRA continuation coverage allows residents who recently lost employer-sponsored benefits from New Hanover County employers to maintain their existing plan for a limited period.
Small business SHOP plans give qualifying small business owners in Wilmington and across New Hanover County a structured way to offer group health coverage to their employees.
For 2026, Blue Cross NC offers plans in New Hanover County across three distinct network tiers, Blue Advantage, Blue Care, and Blue Value, each designed to balance provider access with cost structure in different ways. Blue Advantage and Blue Care are both plans that give members flexibility to access a broad range of in-network providers, while Blue Value is a POS plan structured around a more defined provider network with lower premium options. All three networks include access to local health systems and facilities in the Wilmington area, making network selection a key decision for residents who want to ensure continuity with their current providers.
Blue Advantage, a PPO plan, provides the largest nationwide network and connects New Hanover County residents to the widest range of local providers, including facilities in Wilmington.
Blue Care, an HMO plan, offers broad statewide network coverage with access to the majority of North Carolina doctors, including providers affiliated with local health systems in New Hanover County.
Blue Value, a POS plan, is a value-focused option with lower premiums designed for New Hanover County residents who are comfortable working within a more structured provider network.
Plans under Blue Advantage and Blue Care allow members to see specialists and use urgent care facilities in New Hanover County without requiring referrals from a primary care physician.
Coverage under Blue Value requires members to coordinate care through a designated primary care provider, which can work well for residents with established care relationships in Wilmington.
All three plan networks available in New Hanover County for 2026 are offered through Blue Cross NC and can be compared side by side through a licensed Health Plans of NC agent at no cost.
Bronze plans in New Hanover County start at approximately $403.47/month before subsidies. With a median household income of $72,892, many residents qualify for premium tax credits. Subsidies may reduce your monthly premium significantly based on income.
Bronze plans in New Hanover County start at $403.47 per month before subsidies, offering the lowest available premiums with higher deductibles for residents who want catastrophic protection.
Silver plans start at $518.72 per month before subsidies and are the only tier eligible for cost-sharing reductions, which can lower deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums for qualifying residents.
Gold plans start at $536.24 per month before subsidies and provide lower out-of-pocket costs throughout the year, making them a strong fit for residents who use healthcare services regularly.
Residents with household incomes between 100% and 400% of the federal poverty level may qualify for advance premium tax credits that reduce monthly premiums well below the base starting prices.
Some New Hanover County residents with incomes near 150% of the federal poverty level may qualify for a Silver plan with a very low or zero-dollar monthly premium after tax credits are applied.
Out-of-pocket maximums for 2026 ACA plans vary by metal tier and network, and a Health Plans of NC agent can identify the plan with the best balance of premium and total cost exposure for each household.
For 2026, Blue Cross NC is the ACA Marketplace carrier offering health insurance plans in New Hanover County, with a total of 17 plans available to eligible residents. These plans are structured across three networks, Blue Advantage, Blue Care, and Blue Value, giving residents a choice between a nationwide PPO, a statewide HMO and a POS that balances access and cost. Blue Advantage connects members to the largest nationwide provider network, Blue Care offers broad statewide HMO access, and Blue Value delivers a lower-premium POS option for residents comfortable with coordinated care in the Wilmington area. Choosing the right network tier directly affects whether New Hanover County residents can access local hospitals, urgent care centers, and specialists without facing out-of-network costs. Health Plans of NC compares every available Blue Cross NC plan side by side at no cost, helping residents select the carrier network and plan design that fits their provider preferences and budget.
Blue Cross NC, offering 17 ACA Marketplace plans in New Hanover County for 2026, including options under Blue Advantage and Blue Care, and an HMO option under Blue Value.
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 a large share of lower-income residents across New Hanover County. Currently, 10.6% of New Hanover County residents, approximately 25,000 people, remain uninsured, and many of them may qualify for Medicaid or subsidized Marketplace coverage without being aware of their eligibility. Children in families earning up to 210% of the federal poverty level may qualify for NC Health Choice, the state's CHIP program, providing comprehensive pediatric coverage at little or no cost. Health Plans of NC offers free eligibility checks and can help New Hanover County residents determine whether they qualify for Medicaid, CHIP, or a subsidized Marketplace plan.
Working adults in New Hanover County earning at or below 138% of the federal poverty level may qualify for full Medicaid coverage at no monthly premium.
Children in New Hanover County households with incomes up to 210% of the federal poverty level may be eligible for NC Health Choice, providing low-cost or free pediatric health coverage.
Pregnant women in New Hanover County may qualify for Medicaid coverage with an income threshold that is higher than the standard adult eligibility limit, covering prenatal and postpartum care.
New Hanover County residents with disabilities or certain qualifying medical conditions may be eligible for Medicaid regardless of age, depending on income and other eligibility criteria.
With a poverty rate of 12.4% in New Hanover County, a significant share of households may qualify for Medicaid or cost-sharing reductions on Marketplace plans, and Health Plans of NC can verify eligibility at no cost.
Health Plans of NC licensed agents serve New Hanover County residents at no cost, comparing every available 2026 plan side by side and guiding households through enrollment from start to finish. Call 800-797-0327 today to speak with a local agent who can identify the right plan for your health 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 New Hanover 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 |
|---|---|---|
Brynn Marr Hospital | 192 Village Dr, Jacksonville, NC 28546 | (910) 577-1400 |
Cape Fear Vly Bladen County | 501 S Poplar St, Elizabethtown, NC 28337 | (910) 862-5100 |
Columbus Regional Healthcare | 500 Jefferson St, Whiteville, NC 28472 | (910) 642-8011 |
Dosher Memorial Hospital | 924 N Howe St, Southport, NC 28461 | (910) 457-3800 |
ECU Health Duplin Hospital | 401 N Main St, Kenansville, NC 28349 | (910) 296-0941 |
Naval Medical Ctr Camp Lejeune | 100 Brewster Blvd, Camp Lejeune, NC 28547 | (910) 450-4357 |
New Hanover Regional Med Ctr | 2131 S 17th St, Wilmington, NC 28401 | (910) 667-7000 |
New Hanover Regl Med Ctr-Rehab | 2131 S 17th St, Wilmington, NC 28401 | (910) 667-7835 |
NHRMC Betty H Cameron Women's | 2131 S 17th St, Wilmington, NC 28401 | (910) 667-7360 |
Novant Health Brunswick Med | 240 Hospital Dr NE, Bolivia, NC 28422 | (910) 721-1000 |
Novant Health New Hanover | 5301 Wrightsville Ave, Wilmington, NC 28403 | (910) 667-8100 |
Onslow Memorial Hospital | 317 Western Blvd, Jacksonville, NC 28546 | (910) 577-2345 |
Pender Memorial Hospital | 507 E Fremont St, Burgaw, NC 28425 | (910) 259-5451 |
Sampson Regional Medical Ctr | 607 Beaman St, Clinton, NC 28328 | (910) 592-8511 |
Southeastern Regional Med Ctr | 300 W 27th St, Lumberton, NC 28358 | (910) 671-5000 |
UNC Health Southeastern | 4300 Fayetteville Rd, Lumberton, NC 28358 | (910) 608-3078 |
New Hanover County ZIP Codes include: 28401, 28402, 28403, 28404, 28405, 28406, 28407, 28408, 28409, 28410, 28411, 28412, 28428, 28429, 28449, and 28480
