Find Your Most Affordable Health Insurance Plan in Pender 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 Pender County, once per carrier.
in North Carolina
Find affordable health insurance in Pender County, NC with Health Plans of NC. Health Plans of NC helps residents of Pender County, NC find and enroll in the right health insurance plan at no cost, with access to coverage options that connect to local providers like Novant Health Pender Medical Center. Whether you work for Pender Memorial Hospital, Pender County Schools, or are self-employed, licensed agents can compare every available plan side by side to match your needs and budget.
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 |
Pender County is home to 63,475 residents and has grown 5.4% since 2020, reflecting a community with expanding healthcare coverage needs across a range of employment situations and life circumstances. Major local employers such as Pender County Schools, Pender County government, Walmart, RC Creations, and Pender Memorial Hospital provide a foundation for employer-sponsored coverage, while Novant Health Pender Medical Center anchors the local health system for residents seeking network-based individual plans. With 4.1% of residents being foreign-born, Health Plans of NC ensures that all community members can access guidance on the coverage type that best fits their situation.
ACA Marketplace plans are available to Pender County residents who are self-employed, gig workers, or employees of smaller businesses not offering group benefits, including those working independently near Novant Health Pender Medical Center.
Medicaid coverage is available to income-qualifying Pender County adults and families following North Carolina's Medicaid expansion, offering comprehensive benefits at little or no cost for eligible residents.
Employer-sponsored group health insurance is offered by major Pender County employers including Pender County Schools and Pender Memorial Hospital, typically providing broad coverage with shared premium costs between employer and employee.
Short-term health plans may provide temporary coverage for Pender County residents between jobs or waiting for open enrollment, though these plans offer more limited benefits than ACA-compliant options.
COBRA continuation coverage allows former employees of Pender County employers such as Walmart or RC Creations to maintain their existing group plan benefits for a limited period after leaving a job.
Small business SHOP Marketplace plans are available to Pender County small business owners who want to offer group health benefits to their employees through a structured, ACA-compliant enrollment process.
For 2026, Pender County residents can choose from plans offered under three Blue Cross NC networks, including Blue Advantage, Blue Care, and Blue Value, each providing different levels of provider access and plan structure across HMO and PPO formats. Blue Advantage and Blue Care are plans that allow broader access to regional providers, while Blue Value is a POS designed for residents who prefer lower premiums through a more coordinated care model. All three networks connect Pender County enrollees to local and regional facilities, including Pender Memorial Hospital in Burgaw, New Hanover Regional Medical Center in Wilmington, and Novant Health New Hanover.
Blue Advantage, a PPO network, includes the largest nationwide provider access and connects Pender County residents to in-network care at Pender Memorial Hospital, New Hanover Regional Medical Center, and Novant Health facilities.
Blue Care, an HMO network, offers broad statewide coverage and allows Pender County enrollees to access regional providers such as Novant Health New Hanover and New Hanover Regional Medical Center without referrals.
Blue Value, a POS network, provides value-focused coverage with lower premiums for Pender County residents who are comfortable receiving care through a coordinated primary care provider model.
Plans under Blue Advantage and Blue Care give Pender County residents flexibility to visit specialists at facilities like Pender Memorial Hospital or regional Wilmington-area health systems without needing prior authorization.
POS plans under Blue Value let Pender County enrollees choose a primary care provider to help coordinate care without requiring referrals, making them well-suited for residents who primarily use one local clinic or health system.
All three Blue Cross NC networks available in Pender County for 2026 include access to area hospitals and clinics, and Health Plans of NC can help residents identify which network includes their preferred local providers.
Bronze plans in Pender County start at approximately $463.63/month before subsidies. With a median household income of $76,838, many residents qualify for premium tax credits. Subsidies may reduce your monthly premium significantly based on income.
Bronze plans in Pender County start at $463.63 per month for a 35-year-old before subsidies, offering the lowest monthly premiums with higher deductibles for those who want protection against major medical costs.
Silver plans start at $593.60 per month before tax credits and are the only tier eligible for cost-sharing reductions, which lower deductibles and copays for qualifying Pender County households.
Gold plans start at $626.35 per month before subsidies and provide lower out-of-pocket costs throughout the year, making them a strong choice for residents who use medical services frequently.
Pender County residents with a household income near the county median of $76,838 often qualify for partial premium tax credits that reduce the effective monthly cost of Silver or Gold plans substantially.
Households earning up to 150% of the federal poverty level may be eligible for enhanced premium tax credits that bring Silver plan monthly premiums down to $0 in Pender County.
Health Plans of NC provides free personalized quotes with exact subsidy calculations so Pender County residents know their actual monthly cost before enrolling in any ACA plan.
Blue Cross NC is the sole ACA Marketplace carrier offering individual and family health insurance plans in Pender County for 2026, with 16 total plans available during open enrollment. These 16 plans are offered across three distinct networks, Blue Advantage, Blue Care, and Blue Value, spanning PPO and HMO plan types to give residents flexibility in how they access care. Blue Advantage and Blue Care networks connect Pender County enrollees to a broad range of local and regional providers, including Pender Memorial Hospital at 507 E Fremont St in Burgaw and Novant Health facilities in Wilmington, while Blue Value's POS structure is designed for residents seeking lower premiums through coordinated care. The network a Pender County resident chooses directly affects whether providers like Pender Primary Care, Rocky Point Family Medicine, or Coastal Horizons Center are covered at in-network rates, making carrier and network selection a critical step. Health Plans of NC compares all 16 Blue Cross NC plans side by side at no cost, helping every Pender County resident identify the right fit based on their preferred providers and budget.
Blue Cross NC: offers plans under Blue Advantage and Blue Care networks, and a plan under Blue Value, with 16 total individual and family plans available in Pender County for 2026.
North Carolina expanded Medicaid in December 2023, extending free or low-cost coverage to adults in Pender County who earn up to 138% of the federal poverty level. Currently, 9.7% of Pender County residents, approximately 6,000 people, remain uninsured, and many of these individuals may now be eligible for Medicaid or subsidized Marketplace coverage. Children in Pender County 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 so Pender County residents can quickly determine whether Medicaid, CHIP, or a subsidized Marketplace plan is their best option.
Working adults in Pender County who earn at or below 138% of the federal poverty level may qualify for NC Medicaid expansion coverage, which became available statewide in December 2023.
Children in Pender County whose families earn up to 210% of the federal poverty level may be eligible for NC Health Choice, the CHIP program, which covers preventive care, dental, and vision services.
Pregnant women in Pender County may qualify for Medicaid coverage with an expanded income threshold that provides prenatal, delivery, and postpartum care at little or no cost.
Pender County residents with disabilities or low fixed incomes may qualify for Medicaid based on eligibility criteria related to both income and medical need, separate from the expansion pathway.
With a poverty rate of 10.7% in Pender County, a meaningful share of residents may qualify for Medicaid or CHIP, and Health Plans of NC can conduct a free eligibility screening to identify the right program.
Health Plans of NC licensed agents serve Pender County residents at no cost, comparing every available 2026 plan side by side to help you find the coverage that fits your providers, budget, and health needs. Call 800-797-0327 today to speak with a local agent and get personalized help enrolling in the right plan.
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 Pender 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 |
Pender County ZIP Codes include: 28421, 28425, 28435, 28443, 28457, and 28478
