Find an Affordable Health Insurance Plan in Yancey 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 |
| Cigna Healthcare | 10 |
| AmeriHealth Caritas Next | 8 |
| Oscar Health Plan of North Carolina | 8 |
| Total | 59 |
Source: CMS QHP Landscape PY2026, Individual Market Medical, updated August 26, 2026 (data.healthcare.gov). Counts distinct Plan IDs offered on the Marketplace in Yancey County, once per carrier.
in North Carolina
Find affordable health insurance in Yancey County, NC with Health Plans of NC. Health Plans of NC helps Yancey County, NC residents find and enroll in affordable health insurance coverage, working with local employers like Altec Industries and health systems like Mission Yancey Medical Center to ensure every resident has access to the right plan for their needs.
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 |
Yancey County is home to 18,676 residents, with a population that has grown 1.1 percent since 2020 and a foreign-born resident share of 3.0 percent, reflecting a community with diverse coverage needs across working families, retirees, and newer arrivals. Major local employers including Altec Industries, Yancey County Schools, County of Yancey, Ingles Markets, and Glen Raven provide a foundation of employer-sponsored coverage, while health systems such as Mission Yancey Medical Center and HCA Healthcare anchor the local care network that residents depend on. Health Plans of NC helps residents explore every available coverage pathway, from ACA Marketplace plans to Medicaid and small business options, at no cost.
ACA Marketplace plans are available for Yancey County individuals and families who do not receive coverage through employers like Altec Industries or Glen Raven.
Medicaid coverage provides low or no-cost access to Mission Yancey Medical Center and other local providers for eligible Yancey County residents with limited income.
Employer-sponsored insurance is available to many Yancey County residents through large local employers such as Yancey County Schools and the County of Yancey government.
Short-term health coverage offers Yancey County residents transitional protection while between jobs or waiting for employer benefits to begin at workplaces like Ingles Markets.
COBRA continuation coverage allows Yancey County residents who recently left employment at local employers to maintain their existing health plan temporarily.
Small business SHOP plans through the ACA Marketplace allow small Yancey County employers and their employees to access group health coverage through local health systems including HCA Healthcare.
For 2026, Yancey County residents can access health insurance plans through two Blue Cross NC plan networks, Blue Advantage and Blue Care, both offering structures that provide broad access to local and regional providers. Blue Advantage connects Yancey County residents to the largest nationwide PPO network, while Blue Care offers a broad statewide HMO network, with both options including access to key local facilities such as Blue Ridge Regional Hospital in Spruce Pine and Blue Ridge Medical Center Yancey Campus in Burnsville. Health Plans of NC agents help residents identify which network best matches their preferred doctors, specialists, and care facilities across western North Carolina.
Blue Advantage, PPO, includes access to over 95 percent of NC doctors in-network, including providers at Blue Ridge Regional Hospital in Spruce Pine and local Burnsville clinics.
Blue Care, HMO, covers over 95 percent of NC doctors in-network, connecting Yancey County residents to Blue Ridge Medical Center Yancey Campus at 800 Medical Campus Dr in Burnsville.
Both Blue Advantage and Blue Care networks include access to specialists at Mission Community Orthopedics and Asheville Cardiology Associates in Spruce Pine.
Blue Advantage and Blue Care plans are available at Bronze, Silver, and Gold metal tiers, giving Yancey County residents flexibility in balancing monthly costs against out-of-pocket expenses.
Catastrophic plan options are also available to eligible Yancey County residents under age 30 or those with a qualifying hardship exemption through Blue Cross NC.
Both plan networks cover behavioral health services, including providers like Daymark Recovery Services, supporting Yancey County residents who need mental health or substance use care.
Bronze plans in Yancey County start at approximately $522.41/month before subsidies. With a median household income of $54,961, many residents qualify for premium tax credits. Subsidies may reduce your monthly premium significantly based on income.
Bronze plans start at $522.41 per month for a 35-year-old in Yancey County before any federal premium tax credits reduce the monthly cost.
Silver plans start at $671.42 per month for a 35-year-old and are the only tier eligible for additional cost-sharing reductions that lower deductibles and copays.
Gold plans start at $694.31 per month for a 35-year-old, offering lower out-of-pocket costs in exchange for a higher monthly premium.
Yancey County households earning between 100 and 400 percent of the federal poverty level qualify for premium tax credits, and expanded eligibility rules extend subsidies to some households above that threshold depending on family size.
Some Yancey County residents qualify for a zero-dollar premium Silver plan based on income, providing access to local providers at no monthly cost after tax credits are applied.
Yancey County's median household income of $54,961 means many working families and self-employed residents are likely eligible for meaningful subsidy reductions on their monthly premium.
For 2026, Blue Cross NC is one of five ACA Marketplace carriers serving Yancey County, offering 18 individual and family health insurance plans to county residents. These plans are available through two networks, Blue Advantage and Blue Care, each providing different levels of statewide and nationwide provider access. Blue Advantage connects Yancey County residents to the largest nationwide PPO network with over 95 percent of NC doctors in-network, while Blue Care offers a broad statewide HMO network covering over 95 percent of NC doctors, including key local facilities like Blue Ridge Regional Hospital and Blue Ridge Medical Center Yancey Campus. Choosing between these two networks directly affects which local specialists, such as those at Mission Community Orthopedics in Spruce Pine or Asheville Cardiology Associates, are covered at in-network rates. Health Plans of NC compares every available Blue Cross NC plan side-by-side at no cost so Yancey County residents can make a confident, informed enrollment decision.
Blue Cross NC, plans through Blue Advantage and Blue Care networks, 18 total plans available to Yancey County residents for 2026.
North Carolina expanded Medicaid in December 2023, extending low or no-cost coverage to adults earning up to 138 percent of the federal poverty level, opening eligibility to thousands of Yancey County residents who previously did not qualify. Currently, 9.4 percent of Yancey County residents, approximately 2,000 people, remain uninsured, and many of them may now qualify for Medicaid or subsidized coverage without realizing it. Children in Yancey County 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 low-cost coverage for minors. Health Plans of NC offers free eligibility checks for Yancey County residents who want to find out whether they or their children qualify for Medicaid or CHIP.
Working adults in Yancey County who earn below 138 percent of the federal poverty level may now qualify for full Medicaid coverage following North Carolina's 2023 expansion.
Children in Yancey County families with incomes up to 210 percent of the federal poverty level may qualify for NC Health Choice, providing comprehensive low-cost pediatric coverage.
Pregnant women in Yancey County may qualify for Medicaid at higher income thresholds than the standard adult limit, covering prenatal and delivery care at local facilities.
Yancey County residents with disabilities or seniors with limited income may qualify for Medicaid programs that cover long-term care, prescriptions, and specialist visits.
With a county poverty rate of 14.9 percent, a significant share of Yancey County residents fall at or near income thresholds that make them eligible for Medicaid or heavily subsidized marketplace coverage.
Health Plans of NC licensed agents serve Yancey County residents at no cost, comparing every available 2026 plan side-by-side and guiding each resident through enrollment from start to finish. Call 800-797-0327 today to speak with an agent who knows the Yancey County market and can find the right plan for 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 Yancey 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.
Yancey County does not have a hospital within its borders. The hospitals below are located in neighboring counties and serve Yancey County residents.
Hospital | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
Mission Hospital | 509 Biltmore Ave, Asheville, NC 28801 | |
Mission Hospital McDowell | 430 Rankin Dr, Marion, NC 28752 | |
Blue Ridge Regional Hospital | 125 Hospital Dr, Spruce Pine, NC 28777 |
Clinic | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
Blue Ridge Medical Center - Yancey Campus | 800 Medical Campus Dr, Burnsville, NC 28714 | |
Burnsville Health Center | 71 Blue Ridge Ln, Burnsville, NC 28714 | |
Celo Health Center | 116 Seven Mile Ridge Rd, Burnsville, NC 28714 | |
Mountain Community Health Partnership Incorporated | 621 Micaville Loop Ste 600, Burnsville, NC 28714 | |
Still Waters Family Health | 715 E Main St, Burnsville, NC 28714 | |
Yancey County Health Department | 202 Medical Campus Dr, Burnsville, NC 28714 | |
Compassionate Care Western North Carolina | 856 Georges Fork Rd, Burnsville, NC 28714 | |
Joseph J Antinori | 14 Academy St, Burnsville, NC 28714 | |
Mountain Medical Arts | 2 S Main St, Burnsville, NC 28714 | |
Ppadbvl | 730 E Main St, Burnsville, NC 28714 |
Yancey County ZIP Codes include: 28714, 28740, and 28755
