in Buncombe County, Haywood County, Henderson County, and Madison County
Asheville, North Carolina residents can explore all 8 available Medicare plans for 2026 with the help of Health Plans of NC, a licensed agency serving western North Carolina beneficiaries through providers like Mission Hospital and the VA Medical Center Asheville at absolutely no cost to the beneficiary.
Asheville, North Carolina is home to approximately 18,000 Medicare-eligible residents, representing 19.2% of the city's total population of 94,369, all of whom have access to multiple types of Medicare coverage through Blue Cross NC for 2026. Local health systems including Mission Hospital, HCA Healthcare, and the VA Medical Center Asheville accept Medicare and serve as in-network anchors for many of the Medicare Advantage plans available in the area. Health Plans of NC helps Asheville beneficiaries identify which coverage type aligns best with their preferred providers and healthcare needs at no charge.
Plan Name | Type | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|
Blue Medicare Medical Only | HMO-POS | $0.00/month |
Blue Medicare Essential | HMO | $0.00/month |
Blue Medicare Essential Plus | HMO-POS | $0.00/month |
Blue Medicare Enhanced | HMO-POS | $30.00/month |
Blue Medicare PPO Enhanced | PPO | $35.00/month |
Blue Medicare Freedom+ | HMO-POS | $0.00/month |
Healthy Blue Medicare (D-SNP) | HMO-POS | $0.00/month |
Blue Medicare Rx Enhanced PDP | PDP | $163.20/month |
Medicare Advantage HMO plans in Asheville, North Carolina use a defined local provider network that includes Mission Hospital and affiliated specialists throughout the region.
Medicare Advantage HMO-POS plans in Asheville, North Carolina offer the structure of an HMO with limited out-of-network access, useful for residents who occasionally seek care beyond their primary network.
Medicare Advantage PPO plans in Asheville, North Carolina allow beneficiaries to visit both in-network and out-of-network providers, including specialists at HCA Healthcare facilities, at varying cost-sharing levels.
Medicare Supplement plans, also called Medigap, allow Asheville, North Carolina residents to visit any provider nationwide that accepts Original Medicare, including Mission Hospital and the VA Medical Center Asheville.
Part D Prescription Drug Plans in Asheville, North Carolina provide standalone prescription coverage for beneficiaries enrolled in Original Medicare or a Medicare Medical Only plan.
Dual Special Needs Plans, or D-SNPs, in Asheville, North Carolina are designed for residents who qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid and coordinate benefits across both programs.
Blue Cross NC offers 8 Medicare plans in Asheville, North Carolina for 2026, spanning HMO, HMO-POS, PPO, PDP, and D-SNP plan types, each with distinct network arrangements that connect to local providers including Mission Hospital and HCA Healthcare. Several plans carry a $0 monthly premium beyond Part B, while others include enhanced benefits at a modest additional monthly cost, giving Asheville residents a range of options to fit different health and budget priorities. Health Plans of NC agents walk Asheville beneficiaries through every plan name, premium, and network detail side by side at no cost.
Blue Medicare Medical Only, HMO-POS, $0.00 per month, provides medical-only coverage coordinated with in-network Asheville-area providers and facilities.
Blue Medicare Essential, HMO, $0.00 per month, bundles medical and prescription benefits in a structured HMO network that includes Mission Hospital.
Blue Medicare Essential Plus, HMO-POS, $0.00 per month, adds HMO-POS flexibility to core coverage, allowing limited out-of-network access beyond the primary Asheville provider network.
Blue Medicare Enhanced, HMO-POS, $30.00 per month, offers a richer benefit structure including enhanced coverage features within the local Blue Cross NC HMO-POS network in Asheville.
Blue Medicare PPO Enhanced, PPO, $35.00 per month, gives Asheville beneficiaries the broadest in-plan flexibility to see both in-network and out-of-network providers including specialists at HCA Healthcare.
Blue Medicare Freedom+, HMO-POS, $0.00 per month, combines a $0 premium with HMO-POS access for Asheville residents seeking cost-effective coverage with some out-of-network options.
Healthy Blue Medicare DSNP, HMO-POS, $0.00 per month, coordinates Medicare and Medicaid benefits for dual-eligible Asheville residents through a structured managed care network.
Blue Medicare Rx Enhanced PDP, standalone Part D prescription drug plan, $163.20 per month, provides comprehensive drug coverage for Asheville beneficiaries who remain in Original Medicare or a medical-only Advantage plan.
In Asheville, North Carolina, 2026 Medicare Advantage plan premiums through Blue Cross NC range from $0.00 per month for plans like Blue Medicare Essential and Blue Medicare Freedom+ to $35.00 per month for the Blue Medicare PPO Enhanced, making cost differences between plans relatively modest but meaningful over the course of a year. The standalone Blue Medicare Rx Enhanced PDP carries a monthly premium of $163.20, which is a notable recurring cost for beneficiaries who need prescription drug coverage outside of a bundled Advantage plan. With a median household income of $67,221 in Asheville, some residents may qualify for income-based assistance programs that reduce out-of-pocket costs significantly, and Health Plans of NC agents can assess eligibility at no charge.
Part A: $0 premium for most Asheville, North Carolina residents who paid Medicare taxes for 10 or more years. The Part A hospital deductible is $1,736 in 2026.
Part B: $202.90 per month standard premium in 2026, an increase from $185.00 in 2025. Higher-income residents pay more through income-related monthly adjustment amounts.
Medicare Supplement (Medigap): $80 to $300 or more per month depending on plan letter and age, covers gaps not paid by Original Medicare.
Blue Cross NC is the Medicare carrier serving Asheville, North Carolina for 2026, offering a total of 8 Medicare plans across five plan structures including HMO, HMO-POS, PPO, standalone Part D prescription drug plans, and a Dual Special Needs Plan. These plan types give Asheville beneficiaries a range of structural options, from tightly coordinated HMO networks to the broader provider access of a PPO. Blue Cross NC plan networks connect directly with Asheville-area health systems including Mission Hospital, HCA Healthcare, and the VA Medical Center Asheville, making network alignment a critical factor when choosing among available plans. The plan a beneficiary selects determines which local specialists, rehabilitation services, and long-term care facilities they can access at in-network rates, which is especially important given the range of senior-focused services available throughout the Asheville area. Health Plans of NC compares every available Blue Cross NC Medicare plan side by side at no cost to help Asheville residents find the most appropriate coverage.
Blue Cross NC, offering HMO, HMO-POS, PPO, PDP, and D-SNP plan types, with a total of 8 Medicare plans available in Asheville, North Carolina for 2026.
Asheville, North Carolina has a poverty rate of 14.6% and an uninsured rate of 12.7%, meaning a meaningful share of residents may qualify for federal and state programs that reduce Medicare costs significantly. Extra Help, also called the Low Income Subsidy, is a federal program that can reduce Part D prescription drug costs to near $0 for qualifying Asheville residents with limited income or resources. Medicare Savings Programs can cover the Part B standard premium and other cost-sharing obligations for eligible low-income beneficiaries in Asheville. Residents who qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid may enroll in the Healthy Blue Medicare DSNP, a Dual Special Needs Plan that coordinates benefits across both programs, and Health Plans of NC agents can verify eligibility for all of these programs at no cost.
Extra Help, also known as the Low Income Subsidy, can reduce monthly Part D prescription drug costs to near $0 for qualifying Asheville, North Carolina Medicare beneficiaries.
Medicare Savings Programs in North Carolina may cover Part B premiums and reduce cost-sharing for Asheville residents who meet income and asset guidelines.
The Healthy Blue Medicare DSNP is available for Asheville residents who are dual-eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid and need coordinated managed care benefits.
NC Medicaid may provide additional coverage for low-income Asheville residents who do not yet qualify for Medicare or who need supplemental benefits beyond their Medicare plan.
Health Plans of NC licensed agents can check eligibility for Extra Help, Medicare Savings Programs, and D-SNP enrollment for Asheville residents at absolutely no cost.
Health Plans of NC licensed agents serve Asheville, North Carolina residents at no cost, comparing every available Medicare plan side by side to help with enrollment, plan changes, and eligibility for financial assistance programs. Call 800-797-0327 today to speak with a local agent who understands the Asheville Medicare landscape and can help you find the right plan for your healthcare needs and budget.
Call 800-797-0327 (toll free) or 704-303-8256 to speak with a licensed Medicare agent and schedule a free appointment
Email [email protected] with questions about Medicare plans available in Asheville, North Carolina
Find a licensed agent and book directly at healthplansofnc.com/agents
No cost, no pressure. Walk-ins by appointment only, phone and email welcome anytime.
Enrolled in Part A and Part B? Get more with Blue Medicare Supplement Original Medicare only covers some of your medical costs. That’s why Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (Blue Cross NC) offers reliable Medicare Supplement plans to help lessen the worries over what Medicare doesn’t cover.
• Coverage for the costs not covered by Original Medicare (Parts A and B) • The freedom to see any Medicare-participating provider nationwide that accepts Medicare • Rates as low as $31.50 per month1 • Flexibility to change plans • Fitness benefit and hearing benefit on all five plans
With some insurers, you can get locked into a plan that may not be right for you. But thanks to our exclusive Blue-to-Blue program, if your needs change over time, Blue Cross NC gives you the flexibility to switch Medicare plans:2 • Without additional medical exams • Without underwriting or additional health questions • Without any hassle
You cannot be turned down for Blue Medicare Supplement, and may not have to complete a medical questionnaire, if you meet all of the following criteria: • You are age 65 or older, or under age 65 and are eligible for Medicare due to disability3 • You enroll within six months of enrolling in Medicare Part B • You are not covered by certain Medicaid programs • You are a resident of North Carolina
If you enroll early, you may be eligible for a Medicare Supplement plan without waiting periods for pre-existing conditions. If you wait until after your deadline to enroll, you may have a waiting period for pre-existing conditions.
Fitness memberships at in-network facilities using the designated provider. Unlimited access to the vendor’s online platform. SilverSneakers is more than a traditional fitness program. It’s a way to improve your health and live the life you want.
In the gym:
• Thousands of participating locations4 nationwide with various amenities • Ability to enroll at multiple locations at any time • SilverSneakers classes5 designed for all levels and abilities
At home or on the go: • SilverSneakers LIVE online classes and workshops led by specially trained instructors, 7 days a week • SilverSneakers On-Demand videos available 24/7 • SilverSneakers GO mobile app with personalized program resources, adjustable workout plans, and more
In your community: • Group activities and classes5 offered outside the gym
Always talk with your doctor before starting an exercise program.
TruHearing covers one hearing aid per ear per year for a low copay of $499 for Standard hearing aids, $699 for Advanced hearing aids or $999 for Premium hearing aids. Also, as part of the program, a TruHearing provider will help you choose the best hearing aid for your lifestyle and unique hearing needs.
Blue Cross NC is more than a health insurance company. We’re North Carolinians serving North Carolinians. For over 90 years, we’ve been in your community, giving back and listening to how we can provide access to the quality care you deserve.
• Compare plan benefits • Get a free rate quote
Notes: • For costs and further details of the coverage, including exclusions, any reductions or limitations, and terms under which the policy may be continued in force, contact your agent or the company. • Plan A: BMS A, 1/26; Plan G: BMS G, 1/26; Plan G-HD: BMS HDG, 1/26;Plan K: BMS K, 1/26; Plan N: BMS N, 1/26. • Agent/Agency is an independent authorized Agent/Agency licensed to sell and promote products from Blue Cross NC. The content contained in this site is maintained by Agent/Agency. • Medicare Supplement insurance plans are not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program. • Policy benefits are limited to those approved by Medicare for payment.
Disclaimers: • Blue Cross NC contracts with independent companies to provide supplemental benefits. These companies are responsible for the services they provide. They do not provide Blue Cross or Blue Shield products or services. Marks and trade names are property of their respective owners. This fitness program is not an insurance offering. • SilverSneakers is a registered trademark of Tivity Health, Inc. © 2025Tivity Health, Inc. All rights reserved. • TruHearing is a registered trademark of TruHearing, Inc. TruHearing is an independent company and does not offer Blue Cross or Blue Shield products or services. This program may change or be discontinued at any time. This is not an insurance offering.
1 Example for a female non-smoker, age 65. Premium rates can vary based on a number of factors. Contact Blue Cross NC or your Authorized Independent Agent to learn more. 2 Blue-to-Blue is only available when you switch from one Blue Cross NC medical plan (limitations apply) to a Blue Cross NC Medicare plan. You may only switch during designated times of the year. Certain other limits apply. Contact the plan or your Authorized Independent Agent for more information. 3 Guaranteed acceptance for those under age 65 who have Medicare due to disability is limited to Plan A and Plan G. 4 Participating locations (PL) are not owned or operated by Tivity Health, Inc. or its affiliates. Use of PL facilities and amenities is limited to terms and conditions of PL basic membership. Facilities and amenities vary by PL. Inclusion of specific PLs is not guaranteed and PL participation may differ by health plan. 5 Membership includes SilverSneakers instructor-led group
®, SM are marks of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, an association of independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans. All other marks and names are property of their respective owners. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. U4093, 12/25
Asheville, North Carolina ZIP Codes include: 28801, 28802, 28803, 28804, 28805, 28806, 28810, 28813, 28814, 28815, and 28816
