Live Worry-Free. Find the Right Medicare Plan in NC. in Dare County
North Carolina
in North Carolina
Dare County, NC residents exploring Medicare coverage for 2026 can get free, personalized plan comparisons through Health Plans of NC, which works with Blue Cross NC to help Outer Banks seniors find the right fit across all 7 plans available in the county, with access to local care at Outer Banks Hospital and Vidant Health facilities.
Dare County has approximately 9,000 Medicare-eligible residents, representing 24.3% of the county's total population of 37,534, and all of these residents have access to multiple types of Medicare coverage for 2026. Local health systems including Outer Banks Hospital in Nags Head and Vidant Health facilities in the region accept Medicare patients, meaning both Medicare Advantage and Original Medicare beneficiaries can access care close to home. Coverage categories available to Dare County residents span Medicare Advantage HMO and HMO-POS plans, a Dual Special Needs Plan for those on both Medicare and Medicaid, and a standalone Part D Prescription Drug Plan.
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 | $40.00/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 are available through Blue Cross NC and connect Dare County seniors to in-network care at Outer Banks Hospital in Nags Head.
Medicare Advantage HMO-POS plans offer the flexibility of point-of-service access, which is valuable for Outer Banks residents who sometimes seek care at facilities beyond Dare County.
Dual Special Needs Plans (D-SNP) are available in Dare County for residents who qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid, linking them to coordinated care through local health systems.
Part D Prescription Drug Plans provide standalone drug coverage for Dare County residents enrolled in Original Medicare who need help with medication costs at local pharmacies.
Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plans work alongside Original Medicare and allow Dare County residents to see any Medicare-accepting provider nationwide, including specialists outside the Outer Banks.
For 2026, Blue Cross NC offers seven Medicare plans to Dare County residents, ranging from $0 premium Medicare Advantage options to a standalone Prescription Drug Plan, with each plan connecting members to provider networks that include facilities such as Outer Banks Hospital at 4800 S Croatan Hwy in Nags Head and Island Medical Center in Manteo. The plan lineup includes HMO and HMO-POS structures, giving Dare County seniors varying levels of network flexibility depending on how frequently they seek care outside the immediate Outer Banks area. Dare County residents who qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid will find a dedicated D-SNP option at no additional premium, designed to coordinate coverage across both programs.
Blue Medicare Medical Only, HMO-POS, $0.00 per month, provides hospital-focused Medicare Advantage coverage connected to in-network providers in the Outer Banks area.
Blue Medicare Essential, HMO, $0.00 per month, offers a structured network plan for Dare County seniors seeking comprehensive Medicare Advantage coverage at no additional monthly cost.
Blue Medicare Essential Plus, HMO-POS, $0.00 per month, adds point-of-service flexibility to the Essential plan structure, useful for Dare County residents who occasionally seek care outside the primary network.
Blue Medicare Enhanced, HMO-POS, $40.00 per month, provides an elevated benefit structure for Dare County seniors who want richer coverage and are willing to pay a modest monthly premium.
Blue Medicare Freedom+, HMO-POS, $0.00 per month, is a $0 premium HMO-POS plan that gives Dare County beneficiaries access to both in-network and out-of-network providers in certain circumstances.
Healthy Blue Medicare DSNP, HMO-POS, $0.00 per month, is the Dual Special Needs Plan available in Dare County for residents enrolled in both Medicare and Medicaid, coordinating benefits across both programs.
Blue Medicare Rx Enhanced PDP, standalone Part D Prescription Drug Plan, $163.20 per month, is available to Dare County residents on Original Medicare who need dedicated prescription drug coverage at local pharmacies.
In Dare County, most Medicare Advantage plans from Blue Cross NC carry a $0 monthly premium beyond the standard Part B premium, with Blue Medicare Enhanced being the only Medicare Advantage plan in the county with an added cost of $40.00 per month. The standalone Blue Medicare Rx Enhanced PDP is priced at $163.20 per month for Dare County residents who need Part D drug coverage separate from a Medicare Advantage plan. With a median household income of $81,214 in Dare County, many residents have the financial footing to consider supplemental coverage options, though income-based assistance programs remain available for those who qualify and want to reduce their overall Medicare costs.
Part A: $0 premium for most Dare County 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 sole Medicare carrier offering plans in Dare County for 2026, with a total of 7 plans available to eligible residents across multiple plan types. Those plan types include Medicare Advantage HMO, Medicare Advantage HMO-POS, a Dual Special Needs Plan structured as an HMO-POS, and a standalone Part D Prescription Drug Plan, giving Dare County seniors a range of coverage structures to evaluate. The Blue Cross NC provider network connects Dare County beneficiaries to local facilities including Outer Banks Hospital in Nags Head and Island Medical Center in Manteo, as well as nearby specialists at Sentara Vascular Specialists in Kitty Hawk and Sentara Albemarle Medical Center in Elizabeth City. Choosing the right plan type matters significantly in Dare County, where the local specialist base is limited and access to care at regional facilities outside the Outer Banks can be affected by network restrictions. Health Plans of NC compares every available Medicare plan in Dare County side by side at no cost, helping seniors understand exactly how their plan choice will affect access to local and regional providers.
Blue Cross NC, offering Medicare Advantage HMO, Medicare Advantage HMO-POS, D-SNP, and Part D PDP plan types, with 7 total plans available in Dare County for 2026.
Dare County residents with limited incomes may qualify for the Extra Help program, also known as the Low Income Subsidy, which can reduce Part D prescription drug costs to near zero for eligible Medicare beneficiaries. Medicare Savings Programs are available to qualifying Dare County residents and can cover some or all of the Part B premium, providing meaningful monthly relief for those on fixed incomes. Dare County residents who are enrolled in both Medicare and Medicaid may qualify for the Healthy Blue Medicare DSNP, a Dual Special Needs Plan that coordinates benefits across both programs at no additional premium. With an uninsured rate of 8.9% and a poverty rate of 7.5% in Dare County, a meaningful share of the population may be eligible for one or more of these assistance programs, and Health Plans of NC can check eligibility at no cost.
Extra Help and the Low Income Subsidy program can significantly reduce or eliminate monthly Part D prescription drug plan costs for qualifying Dare County Medicare beneficiaries.
Medicare Savings Programs can cover Part B premiums and cost-sharing for Dare County residents who meet income and resource requirements, reducing overall Medicare expenses.
The Healthy Blue Medicare DSNP is available to Dare County residents enrolled in both Medicare and Medicaid, offering coordinated dual-eligible coverage at a $0 monthly premium.
NC Medicaid may provide additional coverage for low-income Dare County residents who do not yet qualify for Medicare, helping bridge gaps in healthcare access.
Health Plans of NC licensed agents can screen Dare County residents for all available financial assistance programs at no cost and help with enrollment when eligibility is confirmed.
Health Plans of NC licensed agents serve Dare County residents at no cost, comparing every available Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement, and Part D plan side by side to find the right coverage for your needs, your providers, and your budget. Call 800-797-0327 to speak with an agent who can help you enroll, switch plans, or simply understand your options along the Outer Banks.
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 Dare County
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.
Hospital | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
ECU Health Bertie Hospital | 1403 S King St, Windsor, NC 27983 | (252) 794-6600 |
ECU Health Chowan Hospital | 211 Virginia Rd, Edenton, NC 27932 | (252) 482-8451 |
ECU Health Edgecombe Hospital | 111 Hospital Dr, Tarboro, NC 27886 | (252) 641-7700 |
ECU Health North Hospital | 250 Smith Church Rd, Roanoke Rapids, NC 27870 | (252) 535-8011 |
ECU Health Roanoke-Chowan Hosp | 500 Academy St S, Ahoskie, NC 27910 | (252) 209-3000 |
Martin General Hospital | 310 S Mccaskey Rd, Williamston, NC 27892 | (252) 809-6300 |
Outer Banks Hospital | 4800 S Croatan Hwy, Nags Head, NC 27959 | (252) 449-4500 |
Sentara Albemarle Medical Ctr | 1144 N Road St, Elizabeth City, NC 27909 | (252) 335-0531 |
Washington Regional Med Ctr | 958 US Highway 64 E, Plymouth, NC 27962 | (252) 793-4135 |
Clinic | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
ECU Health Endocrinology-Ahsk | 226 Academy St S, Ahoskie, NC 27910 | (252) 209-3991 |
ECU Health Family Medicine | 1124 Harvey Point Rd, Hertford, NC 27944 | (252) 426-2946 |
ECU Health Family Medicine | 1385 Medical Center Dr # 4942, Roanoke Rapids, NC 27870 | (252) 537-9176 |
ECU Health Heart-Vascular Care | 220 Smith Church Rd, Roanoke Rapids, NC 27870 | (252) 537-9268 |
ECU Health Internal Medicine | 104 Mark Dr, Edenton, NC 27932 | (252) 482-5171 |
ECU Health Multispecialty | 113 Virginia Rd, Edenton, NC 27932 | (252) 482-3047 |
ECU Health Neurology-Edenton | 203 Earnhart Dr # B, Edenton, NC 27932 | (252) 482-5868 |
ECU Health Orthopedics-Roanoke | 171 N Carolina 125, Roanoke Rapids, NC 27870 | (252) 537-5631 |
ECU Health Pulmonology-Ahoskie | 222 Academy St S, Ahoskie, NC 27910 | (252) 209-3440 |
ECU Health Sleep Medicine | 240 Smith Church Rd # A, Roanoke Rapids, NC 27870 | (252) 535-1082 |
Halifax Regional Med Ctr Inc | 250 Smith Church Rd, Roanoke Rapids, NC, 27870, Not AvailableIsland Medical Ctr, 715 US Highway 64, Manteo, NC 27954 | (252) 473-2500 |
Sentara Vascular Specialists | 5200 N Croatan Hwy # 6, Kitty Hawk, NC 27949 | (252) 255-6125 |
Signature Healthcare | 305 E 14th St, Roanoke Rapids, NC 27870 | (252) 537-6181 |
Vidant Sleep Medicine-Roanoke | 240 Smith Church Rd, Roanoke Rapids, NC 27870 | (252) 535-1082 |
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
Dare County ZIP Codes include: 27915, 27920, 27936, 27943, 27948, 27949, 27953, 27954, 27959, 27968, 27972, 27978, 27981, and 27982
