Find an Affordable Health Insurance Plan in Orange 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 Orange County, once per carrier.
in North Carolina
Find affordable health insurance in Orange County, NC with Health Plans of NC. Health Plans of NC helps Orange County residents find and compare health insurance plans that connect them to local providers like UNC Health Care and UNC Hospitals, at no cost to the resident. Whether you live in Chapel Hill, Hillsborough, or anywhere across the county, our licensed agents are ready to help you enroll in the right coverage for 2026.
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 |
Orange County is home to 147,292 residents, a population that has shifted by -0.9 percent since 2020, with 12.6 percent of residents born outside the United States, reflecting a diverse community with varied coverage needs. Major institutional employers such as UNC Chapel Hill, UNC Health Care, Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools, Orange County, and Orange County Schools anchor the local economy and shape the types of coverage most relevant to area households. From ACA Marketplace plans connecting residents to UNC Hospitals and UNC Medical Center, to employer-sponsored group benefits and government programs, Orange County residents have access to a range of meaningful coverage pathways.
ACA Marketplace plans through Blue Cross NC give Orange County residents access to coverage tied to major health systems including UNC Hospitals and Duke University Hospital.
Medicaid coverage is available to eligible low-income Orange County residents, including those employed in part-time or seasonal roles at institutions like Orange County Schools.
Employer-sponsored group health plans offered by large local employers such as UNC Chapel Hill and UNC Health Care typically cover a substantial share of employee premiums.
COBRA continuation coverage allows Orange County residents who recently left positions at employers like Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools to maintain their existing health benefits temporarily.
Short-term health plans may serve as a bridge for Orange County residents between jobs at local institutions or awaiting a new employer enrollment period.
Small business SHOP Marketplace plans are available to Orange County small business owners who want to offer group coverage to employees, including those in Chapel Hill and Hillsborough.
For 2026, Orange County residents can choose from 9 plans on the Marketplace, plus Blue Advantage plans off the Marketplace, offered through Blue Cross NC, spanning two distinct plan networks designed to align with the county's major health systems. The Blue Advantage network operates as a PPO and is available exclusively off the Marketplace, while the Blue Home with UNC Health Alliance network is an EPO built around UNC Health hospitals and affiliated providers. Selecting the right network is essential for residents who want to ensure their preferred doctors and facilities at UNC Hospitals or affiliated UNC Health Care clinics remain in-network.
Blue Advantage, a PPO network available off the Marketplace only, provides access to a broad national provider network suited for Orange County residents who see specialists across multiple health systems.
Blue Home with UNC Health Alliance, an EPO network, connects Orange County enrollees directly to UNC Health hospitals, UNC Medical Center, and affiliated primary care and specialty clinics throughout the region.
EPO plans under Blue Home with UNC Health Alliance let Orange County residents choose a primary care physician to help coordinate care, with no referrals needed to see in-network UNC Health Alliance specialists.
Plans under Blue Advantage allow Orange County residents to seek care from a wider range of providers without a referral, which may benefit those with established relationships outside the UNC Health Alliance system.
Residents in Hillsborough can verify that the Health Center of Hillsborough and UNC Hospitals Lab Hillsborough are covered under their selected network before enrolling.
Health Plans of NC agents can compare both available networks side-by-side to help Orange County residents confirm that their preferred providers at UNC Hospitals or affiliated clinics are included in their chosen plan.
Bronze plans in Orange County start at approximately $443.10/month before subsidies. With a median household income of $88,553, many residents qualify for premium tax credits. Subsidies may reduce your monthly premium significantly based on income.
Bronze plans start at $443.10 per month for a 35-year-old in Orange County, offering the lowest premiums with higher out-of-pocket costs when care is needed.
Silver plans start at $569.49 per month for a 35-year-old and are the only tier eligible for cost-sharing reductions that lower deductibles and copays for qualifying households.
Gold plans start at $588.91 per month for a 35-year-old in Orange County, providing lower out-of-pocket costs in exchange for higher monthly premiums.
Households with incomes between 100 and 400 percent of the federal poverty level qualify for Advance Premium Tax Credits that can reduce monthly premiums below the published starting prices.
Enhanced federal subsidies extend eligibility beyond 400 percent of the federal poverty level, meaning middle-income Orange County residents should verify their subsidy status before assuming they owe full price.
Some qualifying Orange County residents may be eligible for a zero-dollar premium Silver plan after tax credits are applied, making comprehensive coverage available at no monthly cost.
Blue Cross NC is one of four carriers offering ACA Marketplace health insurance plans in Orange County for 2026, with 9 total plans on the Marketplace, plus Blue Advantage plans off the Marketplace, available to individuals and families. These plans are organized across two networks, Blue Advantage and Blue Home with UNC Health Alliance, giving residents a choice between a broad PPO structure and a tightly integrated EPO tied to the UNC Health system. Blue Home with UNC Health Alliance connects enrollees directly to UNC Hospitals at 101 Manning Drive in Chapel Hill, UNC Medical Center, and the full network of affiliated UNC Health Care clinics and specialists throughout Orange County. Blue Advantage, available exclusively off the Marketplace, offers a wider national PPO network for residents who want flexibility to access providers beyond the UNC Health Alliance system, including Duke University Hospital. Health Plans of NC compares every available Blue Cross NC plan side-by-side at no cost, helping Orange County residents find the right network and benefit level for their specific healthcare needs.
Blue Cross NC, offering 9 ACA Marketplace plans, plus Blue Advantage plans off the Marketplace, in Orange County for 2026, including EPO plans through Blue Home with UNC Health Alliance and PPO plans through Blue Advantage (off Marketplace only).
North Carolina expanded Medicaid in December 2023, opening eligibility to adults earning up to 138 percent of the federal poverty level and making low-cost or no-cost coverage available to many more Orange County residents than before expansion. Currently, 6.6 percent of Orange County residents, approximately 10,000 people, remain uninsured, and a significant share of them may now qualify for Medicaid or a subsidized Marketplace plan without realizing it. Children in families earning up to 210 percent of the federal poverty level may qualify for NC Health Choice, the state's CHIP program, which provides comprehensive pediatric coverage at little or no cost. With 12.4 percent of Orange County residents living in poverty, many households across Chapel Hill, Hillsborough, and surrounding communities should contact Health Plans of NC for a free eligibility check to confirm whether Medicaid, CHIP, or another program applies to their situation.
Working adults in Orange County who earn at or below 138 percent of the federal poverty level may qualify for full Medicaid coverage following North Carolina's December 2023 expansion.
Children in Orange County families earning up to 210 percent of the federal poverty level may qualify for NC Health Choice, providing comprehensive coverage including dental and vision benefits.
Pregnant women in Orange County may qualify for Medicaid at higher income thresholds than the standard adult limit, covering prenatal, delivery, and postpartum care through UNC Hospitals.
Orange County residents with disabilities or qualifying medical conditions may be eligible for Medicaid regardless of age, depending on their functional and financial circumstances.
Approximately 12.4 percent of Orange County residents live in poverty, meaning thousands of households may qualify for Medicaid or CHIP and should verify their eligibility with a Health Plans of NC agent at no cost.
Health Plans of NC licensed agents serve Orange County residents at no cost, comparing every available plan side-by-side and guiding you through enrollment from start to finish. Call us today at 800-797-0327 to get a free personalized quote and find the plan that fits 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 Orange 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 Medical Center | 101 Manning Dr, Chapel Hill, NC 27514 |
Clinic | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
Carrboro Community Health Center | 301 Lloyd St, Carrboro, NC 27510 | |
Chapel Hill Community Health Center | 107 Conner Dr STE 100, Chapel Hill, NC 27514 | |
Chapel Hill Community Health Center | 105 Conner Dr, #2100 Bldg 1, Chapel Hill, NC 27514 | |
Avalon Internal Medicine | 101 Conner Dr Ste 402, Chapel Hill, NC 27514 | |
Carolina Clinic at UNC | 315 Meadowmont Village Cir, Chapel Hill, NC 27517 | |
Carolina Urgent Care | 1840 Martin Luther King JR Blvd, Chapel Hill, NC 27514 | |
Carrboro Family Medicine Center | 610 Jones Ferry Rd Ste 102, Carrboro, NC 27510 | |
Carrboro Pediatrics and Internal Medicine | 127 Fidelity St, Carrboro, NC 27510 | |
Chapel Hill Family Medicine | 120 Conner Dr Suite 200, Chapel Hill, NC 27514 | |
Chapel Hill Internal Medicine | 940 Martin Luther King JR Blvd, Chapel Hill, NC 27514 |
Orange County ZIP Codes include: 27231, 27243, 27278, 27510, 27514, 27515, 27516, 27517, and 27599
