Find an Affordable Health Insurance Plan in Richmond County
in North Carolina
Nationwide (BlueCard®)
Blue Advantage® is a PPO health plan from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (Blue Cross NC) offering the company's largest nationwide network of doctors, specialists, and hospitals. More than 95% of North Carolina doctors and 98% of North Carolina hospitals are in-network, and coverage travels with you nationwide through the BlueCard® program, which is accepted in nearly 200 countries and territories worldwide.
Because it's a PPO, Blue Advantage gives you the fewest restrictions on which doctors you can see: no referrals to see a specialist, and out-of-network care is still covered (at a lower benefit level). It typically carries a higher premium than Blue Cross NC's in-state-only plans, so it's the plan we recommend when provider choice and nationwide access matter more than getting the lowest possible premium.
Blue Advantage is built for people who want the fewest restrictions on which doctors they can see. It's a strong fit if you travel frequently for work or split time between two states, have an established specialist relationship you don't want to disrupt, want emergency care covered at the in-network rate anywhere in the world, or simply value provider choice over the lowest possible monthly premium.
It's a weaker fit if you rarely leave North Carolina and don't need nationwide access. In that case, Blue Care offers nearly identical in-state provider access at a lower premium, and one of the regional Blue Home plans may lower your premium even further if your doctors belong to a single health system.
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.
Blue Advantage is a PPO, which means you don't need a referral to see a specialist, and you're never limited to a single network — you're just paying more if you step outside it. If you see an in-network provider, you get the plan's full benefit level. If you see someone out-of-network, the plan still pays, just at a reduced benefit level, and you're responsible for the difference.
Because Blue Cross NC has more than 95% of North Carolina doctors and 98% of North Carolina hospitals in-network, most members rarely need to use that out-of-network benefit — but it's there if your situation calls for it.
Blue Advantage is the only Blue Cross NC individual plan built for people who leave the state. Through the BlueCard® program, your in-network benefits travel with you anywhere in the U.S. — so if you split time between two states, have kids away at college, or travel for work, you're not stuck finding a new plan or a new doctor.
Emergency care is covered at the in-network rate worldwide, including in nearly 200 countries and territories through BlueCard Worldwide®.
Blue Advantage typically carries a higher premium than Blue Cross NC's in-state-only plans like Blue Care® or the regional Blue Home℠ plans. That's the trade-off for the broadest network and out-of-network safety net Blue Cross NC offers. Like every Blue Cross NC ACA plan, it's available in Bronze, Silver, and Gold tiers, and most applicants qualify for a premium tax credit that lowers the monthly cost based on income and household size.
If nationwide access isn't something you need, it's worth comparing Blue Advantage against Blue Care or a Blue Home plan first — you may get nearly identical in-state coverage for meaningfully less.
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 specific doctors are in-network, check what subsidy you qualify for, and compare Blue Advantage against the other six Blue Cross NC plans with you — at no cost. Call 800-797-0327.
Blue Advantage is a PPO (Preferred Provider Organization) plan. That means you can see out-of-network providers — you’ll just pay more — and you generally don’t need a referral to see a specialist. It’s the most flexible network Blue Cross NC offers.
Yes. Blue Advantage includes nationwide in-network access through the BlueCard® program, and emergency care is always covered at the in-network benefit level no matter where you are — including in nearly 200 countries and territories worldwide.
Yes, Blue Advantage is available in all 100 North Carolina counties. In 25 of them it’s available off-Marketplace only, meaning you’d enroll directly (through an agent or Blue Cross NC) rather than through HealthCare.gov. A Health Plans of NC agent can handle either path for you.
Both give you nearly the same broad in-state network (about 95% of NC doctors), but Blue Advantage is a PPO that adds nationwide out-of-network coverage, while Blue Care is an HMO limited to North Carolina with no out-of-network benefit except emergencies. Blue Advantage costs a bit more for that added flexibility.
Our recommendation: choose Blue Advantage if you travel, split time between states, or want maximum provider choice; choose Blue Care if you stay in NC and want to save on premium.
Statewide NC network
Blue Care® is an HMO health plan from Blue Cross NC that offers the company's largest in-state network — more than 95% of North Carolina doctors and 98% of NC hospitals in-network — at a lower monthly premium than the nationwide Blue Advantage PPO.
The trade-off for that lower premium is that Blue Care keeps your care inside North Carolina: outside of urgent and emergency situations, only in-network NC providers are covered, and there's no out-of-network benefit. For NC residents who rarely travel, Blue Care delivers almost the same broad provider choice as Blue Advantage for less money — which is why we often recommend it as the best-value option for people who stay in-state.
Blue Care fits residents who live and receive their care entirely within North Carolina, want broad in-state provider choice without paying for nationwide coverage they won't use, and are comfortable with no out-of-network benefit outside of emergencies.
It's a poor fit if you split time between states, have kids at out-of-state college, or travel frequently for work — non-emergency care outside North Carolina isn't covered. If that's you, Blue Advantage is the better choice.
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.
Blue Care is an HMO built on Blue Cross NC's largest in-state network — more than 95% of North Carolina doctors and 98% of NC hospitals in-network. It's priced lower than the nationwide Blue Advantage PPO because it trades nationwide access for coverage that stays inside North Carolina.
Outside of emergency and urgent care, only in-network NC providers are covered — there's no out-of-network benefit to fall back on, so it's worth confirming your specific doctors participate before you enroll.
Blue Care is sold in every NC county except Alamance, Caswell, Chatham, Durham, Franklin, Johnston, Lee, Orange, Person, and Wake — those counties fall inside the Triangle-area service area for the Blue Home℠ with UNC Health Alliance plan instead. If you live in one of the excluded counties, Blue Care isn't available to you regardless of which providers you use.
Because the in-state network is nearly as broad as Blue Advantage's, most Blue Care members never notice a difference in provider choice day to day — the difference only shows up if you need care outside North Carolina.
Blue Care's premium runs lower than Blue Advantage's specifically because it removes the nationwide and out-of-network safety net. It's offered in Bronze, Silver, and Gold tiers, and most applicants qualify for a premium tax credit that lowers the monthly cost based on income and household size.
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 doctors are in-network, check your subsidy, and compare Blue Care against Blue Advantage and the regional plans — at no cost. Call 800-797-0327.
Yes. Blue Care is structured as an HMO with a statewide North Carolina network. Outside of urgent and emergency situations, care is only covered when you use in-network NC providers.
Only urgent and emergency care is covered outside your Blue Care network. Routine or non-emergency care while traveling out of state is not covered, so Blue Care is best for people who receive their care in North Carolina.
Blue Care isn’t offered in Alamance, Caswell, Chatham, Durham, Franklin, Johnston, Lee, Orange, Person, or Wake counties. In several of those counties, Blue Home℠ with UNC Health Alliance is offered instead.
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 | 18 |
| Ambetter of North Carolina | 15 |
| UnitedHealthcare | 13 |
| Cigna Healthcare | 10 |
| Total | 56 |
Source: CMS QHP Landscape PY2026, Individual Market Medical, updated August 26, 2026 (data.healthcare.gov). Counts distinct Plan IDs offered on the Marketplace in Richmond County, once per carrier.
in North Carolina
Find affordable health insurance in Richmond County, NC with Health Plans of NC. Health Plans of NC helps residents of Richmond County, North Carolina find affordable health insurance coverage, working with local employers like Perdue Farms and health systems like FirstHealth of the Carolinas to connect families with plans that fit their needs and budgets.
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 |
Richmond County, home to approximately 42,818 residents with a population growth rate of -0.3 percent and a foreign-born resident share of 3.7 percent, has access to a broad range of health insurance options spanning ACA Marketplace plans, Medicaid, employer-sponsored coverage, and more. Major local employers including Richmond County Schools, Perdue Farms, FirstHealth of the Carolinas, the County of Richmond, and Richmond Community College provide employer-sponsored coverage to a significant portion of the workforce, while FirstHealth Richmond Memorial Hospital anchors the local healthcare delivery system. Health Plans of NC helps residents across Rockingham, Hamlet, and Ellerbe evaluate every available coverage pathway at no cost.
ACA Marketplace plans are available to Richmond County residents who do not have access to affordable employer-sponsored coverage through employers like Richmond County Schools or Perdue Farms.
Medicaid coverage is available to qualifying low-income Richmond County adults and families, with eligibility determinations supported by Health Plans of NC agents familiar with local circumstances.
Employer-sponsored health insurance is offered by major Richmond County employers including Perdue Farms, the County of Richmond, and FirstHealth of the Carolinas for eligible employees and their dependents.
Short-term health plans may serve Richmond County residents experiencing a gap in coverage between jobs at local employers such as Richmond Community College or Perdue Farms.
COBRA continuation coverage allows Richmond County residents who lose employer-sponsored insurance through local employers to maintain their existing plan temporarily while they evaluate other options.
Small business SHOP Marketplace plans are available to small Richmond County employers, including locally owned businesses in Rockingham and Hamlet, that want to offer group health benefits to their employees.
For 2026, Richmond County residents have access to 18 individual and family plans through Blue Cross NC, offered across two plan networks including Blue Advantage and Blue Care, both structured as plans that allow enrollees to access a wide range of in-network providers. Blue Advantage connects Richmond County residents to the largest nationwide PPO network, while Blue Care offers a broad statewide HMO network, both providing access to local facilities such as FirstHealth Richmond Memorial Hospital in Rockingham and Scotland Memorial Hospital in nearby Laurinburg. Health Plans of NC licensed agents help residents compare every available plan side by side at no cost, ensuring the right network and benefit level is matched to each household's healthcare needs.
Blue Advantage, a PPO plan network, includes over 95 percent of North Carolina doctors in-network and connects Richmond County residents to FirstHealth Richmond Memorial Hospital in Rockingham and regional facilities like Cape Fear Valley Medical Center in Fayetteville.
Blue Care, an HMO plan network, covers over 95 percent of North Carolina doctors in-network and provides Richmond County residents with access to Scotland Memorial Hospital in Laurinburg and First Health Montgomery Memorial in Troy.
Both Blue Advantage and Blue Care networks allow Richmond County residents to seek care from specialists and facilities across the broader region, including First Health Moore Regional Hospital in Pinehurst, without requiring a referral.
Catastrophic plan options are available to Richmond County residents under age 30 or those qualifying for a hardship exemption, offered within the Blue Cross NC network structure for 2026.
Bronze, Silver, and Gold metal tier plans are available across both the Blue Advantage and Blue Care networks, giving Richmond County households the ability to choose the benefit level that best matches their expected healthcare use.
Health Plans of NC agents compare Blue Advantage and Blue Care plans side by side for Richmond County residents in zip codes such as 28379 and 28345, ensuring every enrollee understands their network options before selecting a plan.
Bronze plans in Richmond County start at approximately $401.70/month before subsidies. With a median household income of $43,626, many residents qualify for premium tax credits. Subsidies may reduce your monthly premium significantly based on income.
Bronze plans in Richmond County start at $401.70 per month for a 35-year-old before tax credits, offering the lowest premiums with higher deductibles for those who want minimal monthly costs.
Silver plans start at $516.45 per month for a 35-year-old before tax credits and are the only metal tier eligible for cost-sharing reductions, which can lower deductibles and copays for qualifying Richmond County households.
Gold plans start at $533.89 per month for a 35-year-old before tax credits, providing lower out-of-pocket costs at the time of care in exchange for higher monthly premiums.
Richmond County residents earning between 100 and 400 percent of the federal poverty level qualify for Advance Premium Tax Credits that can reduce monthly Marketplace premiums by hundreds of dollars, with the county's $43,626 median household income placing many families squarely in the subsidy-eligible range.
Some lower-income Richmond County households may qualify for $0-premium Silver plans through enhanced subsidies, receiving richer benefits than a Bronze plan at no monthly premium cost after credits are applied.
Health Savings Accounts can be paired with eligible high-deductible Bronze plans to help self-employed Richmond County residents or workers at smaller local employers build tax-advantaged savings for future medical expenses.
Blue Cross NC is one of four ACA Marketplace carriers offering individual and family health insurance plans in Richmond County for 2026, with a total of 18 plans available across multiple metal tiers and coverage levels. These plans are offered through two network options, Blue Advantage and Blue Care, each providing Richmond County residents with broad access to physicians, specialists, and hospitals across North Carolina. Blue Advantage connects enrollees to the largest nationwide PPO network, covering more than 95 percent of North Carolina doctors, while Blue Care offers a broad statewide HMO network covering more than 95 percent of North Carolina physicians, both including local facilities such as FirstHealth Richmond Memorial Hospital. The choice between Blue Advantage and Blue Care affects which out-of-state providers are accessible at in-network rates, an important consideration for Richmond County residents who may seek specialized care beyond the region. Health Plans of NC licensed agents compare every Blue Cross NC plan side by side at no cost to help Richmond County residents select the network and benefit design that best matches their healthcare needs and provider preferences.
Blue Cross NC, offering plans across the Blue Advantage and Blue Care networks, with 18 individual and family plans available in Richmond County for 2026.
North Carolina expanded Medicaid in December 2023, extending free or low-cost comprehensive coverage to adults earning up to 138 percent of the federal poverty level, a threshold that makes a significant portion of Richmond County residents potentially eligible. Richmond County currently has an uninsured rate of 9.5 percent, representing approximately 4,000 residents, many of whom may qualify for Medicaid or other low-cost coverage options they have not yet accessed. Children in families earning up to 210 percent of the federal poverty level may qualify for NC Health Choice, the state's CHIP program, providing affordable pediatric coverage to thousands of Richmond County families. Health Plans of NC offers free eligibility checks and enrollment assistance so that uninsured Richmond County residents can determine their Medicaid or CHIP status quickly and at no cost.
Working adults in Richmond County who are employed part-time or in lower-wage jobs and earn at or below 138 percent of the federal poverty level may qualify for expanded Medicaid at little or no cost.
Children in Richmond County families are eligible for NC Health Choice (CHIP) if household income falls at or below 210 percent of the federal poverty level, covering routine and preventive pediatric care.
Pregnant women in Richmond County may qualify for Medicaid coverage with an income threshold higher than the standard adult limit, ensuring prenatal and delivery care is accessible for low-income mothers.
Richmond County's poverty rate of 25.2 percent means that a substantial share of the county's population may meet income-based eligibility criteria for Medicaid, CHIP, or subsidized Marketplace plans.
Seniors and adults with disabilities in Richmond County with limited income and resources may qualify for dual Medicaid and Medicare coverage, helping to eliminate gaps in care not covered by Medicare alone.
Health Plans of NC licensed agents serve Richmond County residents at no cost, comparing every available plan side by side and providing personalized guidance through the entire enrollment process. Call 800-797-0327 today to speak with an agent who understands the Richmond County market and can help you find the coverage that fits your budget and healthcare needs.
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 Richmond 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.
Richmond County does not have a hospital within its borders. The hospitals below are located in neighboring counties and serve Richmond County residents.
Hospital | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
Atrium Health Anson | 2301 US Hwy 74 W, Wadesboro, NC 28170 | |
Cape Fear Valley Hoke Hospital | 210 Medical Pavilion Dr, Raeford, NC 28376 | |
FirstHealth Montgomery Memorial Hospital | 520 Allen St, Troy, NC 27371 | |
FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital | 155 Memorial Dr, Pinehurst, NC 28374 | |
Scotland Memorial Hospital | 500 Lauchwood Dr, Laurinburg, NC 28352 | |
Atrium Health Stanly | 301 Yadkin St, Albemarle, NC 28001 |
Clinic | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
Goshen Medical Center - Rockingham | 811 E US Highway 74, Rockingham, NC 28379 | |
First Choice Medical Group | 921 E Broad Ave, Rockingham, NC 28379 | |
FirstHealth Family Medicine-Carolina Family Medicine | 104 Physicians Park Dr, Rockingham, NC 28379 | |
FirstHealth Family Medicine-Ellerbe | 112 E Ballard St, Ellerbe, NC 28338 | |
FirstHealth Family Medicine-Richmond Family Medicine | 921 S Long Dr Suite 101, Rockingham, NC 28379 | |
FirstHealth Richmond Medical Group Internal Medicine | 809 S Long Dr Ste H, Rockingham, NC 28379 | |
Richmond Co Health Department | 127 Caroline St, Rockingham, NC 28379 | |
Sandhills Internal Medicine | 125 Biltmore Dr Suite 1, Rockingham, NC 28379 | |
Sandhills Internal Medicine Clinic | 125 Biltmore Dr Suite #2, Rockingham, NC 28379 | |
Sandhills Medical Group | 222 W Main St, Hamlet, NC 28345 |
Richmond County ZIP Codes include: 28330, 28338, 28345, 28347, 28363, 28367, 28379, and 28380
