Live Worry-Free. Find the Right Medicare Plan in NC. in Washington County

Washington County, NC residents have access to 8 Medicare plans for 2026 through Blue Cross NC, and Health Plans of NC helps locals navigate every available option within the ECU Health system at no cost.

What Medicare options are available in Washington County, NC?

Washington County, NC has a population of 10,905, with approximately 3,000 Medicare-eligible residents making up roughly 27.4% of the county, one of the highest senior concentrations in northeastern North Carolina. Medicare beneficiaries in Washington County can access coverage through Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement, Part D Prescription Drug Plans, and Dual Special Needs Plans, all of which interact with the local ECU Health system. Washington Regional Medical Center in Plymouth serves as the primary acute care facility for most county residents, with additional referral options available through the broader ECU Health network in Edenton, Ahoskie, and Roanoke Rapids.

• Medicare Advantage HMO plans are accepted at ECU Health affiliated facilities, including Washington Regional Medical Center in Plymouth for inpatient and outpatient care.

• Medicare Advantage HMO-POS plans offer Washington County seniors added flexibility to seek care both in-network at ECU Health facilities and out-of-network when medically necessary.

• Medicare Advantage PPO plans allow Washington County residents broader access to providers across the ECU Health network and beyond without requiring referrals.

• Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plans pair with Original Medicare to cover cost-sharing gaps at any Medicare-accepting provider, including ECU Health Chowan Hospital in Edenton and Sentara Albemarle Medical Center in Elizabeth City.

• Part D Prescription Drug Plans provide standalone drug coverage for Washington County residents who choose Original Medicare or a Medicare Supplement plan.

• Dual Special Needs Plans (D-SNP) are available for Washington County residents who qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid, coordinating benefits across both programs within the ECU Health network.

What Medicare plans are available in Washington County for 2026?

For 2026, Blue Cross NC offers eight Medicare plans in Washington County covering HMO, HMO-POS, PPO, PDP, and D-SNP plan types, giving seniors a range of premium levels and network structures to choose from. Several plans carry $0 monthly premiums and connect enrollees to the ECU Health network, including Washington Regional Medical Center in Plymouth and specialist facilities in Ahoskie, Edenton, and Roanoke Rapids. Washington County residents should verify that their preferred providers, including ECU Health endocrinology in Ahoskie and neurology in Edenton, participate in the network of any plan they are considering before enrolling.

• Blue Medicare Medical Only, HMO-POS, $0.00 per month, provides hospital and medical coverage connected to the ECU Health network in Washington County.

• Blue Medicare Essential, HMO, $0.00 per month, offers Washington County seniors $0 premium access to ECU Health affiliated primary care and specialist services.

• Blue Medicare Essential Plus, HMO-POS, $0.00 per month, gives enrollees a $0 premium option with the added flexibility of an HMO-POS network reaching ECU Health facilities across the region.

• Blue Medicare Enhanced, HMO-POS, $47.00 per month, includes enhanced benefits beyond standard coverage for Washington County seniors using ECU Health affiliated providers.

• Blue Medicare PPO Enhanced, PPO, $53.00 per month, allows Washington County residents to see providers both inside and outside the Blue Cross NC network, including ECU Health specialists in Greenville and Elizabeth City.

• Blue Medicare Freedom+, HMO-POS, $0.00 per month, combines a $0 premium structure with HMO-POS flexibility for Washington County seniors seeking access to the ECU Health system.

• Healthy Blue Medicare DSNP, HMO-POS, $0.00 per month, is designed for Washington County residents who qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid, coordinating benefits through the ECU Health network.

• Blue Medicare Rx Enhanced PDP, Prescription Drug Plan, $163.20 per month, is a standalone Part D plan for Washington County residents on Original Medicare or a Medicare Supplement plan who need drug coverage.

How much does Medicare cost in Washington County?

Washington County's median household income of $41,750 means that monthly Medicare plan costs represent a significant portion of many seniors' fixed budgets, making it especially important to compare all available plan premiums and out-of-pocket maximums before enrolling. For 2026, Medicare Advantage plans in Washington County range from $0 per month for plans like Blue Medicare Essential and Blue Medicare Freedom+ to $53 per month for Blue Medicare PPO Enhanced, while the standalone Blue Medicare Rx Enhanced PDP is priced at $163.20 per month for those who need drug-only coverage. At the county's income level, many Washington County seniors may qualify for cost-reduction programs that lower their overall Medicare spending, and Health Plans of NC can help identify those opportunities at no cost.

• Part A: $0 premium for most Washington 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.

Which insurance companies offer Medicare plans in Washington County for 2026?

Blue Cross NC is the sole Medicare carrier offering plans in Washington County for 2026, with a total of 8 plans available to county residents. Plan types include HMO, HMO-POS, PPO, Prescription Drug Plan, and a Dual Special Needs Plan, giving seniors a range of network structures and cost-sharing arrangements to consider. Blue Cross NC plan networks in Washington County connect enrollees to the ECU Health system, with Washington Regional Medical Center in Plymouth as the primary local hospital and referral access to ECU Health Chowan Hospital in Edenton, ECU Health Roanoke-Chowan Hospital in Ahoskie, and ECU Health North Hospital in Roanoke Rapids. The plan type a Washington County resident selects directly affects their access to ECU Health specialists in endocrinology, pulmonology, neurology, and orthopedics located across the region, as well as whether they can access out-of-network facilities like Sentara Albemarle Medical Center in Elizabeth City. Health Plans of NC compares every Blue Cross NC Medicare plan available in Washington County side by side at no cost, helping seniors match their plan to their providers and prescriptions.

• Blue Cross NC, plan types offered: HMO, HMO-POS, PPO, PDP, and D-SNP, total of 8 plans available in Washington County for 2026.

Who qualifies for Medicare financial assistance in Washington County?

Washington County has a poverty rate of 24.7% and an uninsured rate of 8.4%, meaning a substantial share of county residents may qualify for programs that reduce Medicare costs significantly. Extra Help, also known as the Low Income Subsidy, is a federal program that can lower Part D prescription drug costs to near $0 for eligible Washington County seniors whose income and assets fall below federal thresholds. Medicare Savings Programs can cover all or part of the Part B premium for qualifying residents, and the Healthy Blue Medicare DSNP plan is specifically designed for those who are dual-eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid in Washington County. Health Plans of NC licensed agents check eligibility for all of these programs at no cost and can help Washington County residents apply without pressure or obligation.

• Extra Help (Low Income Subsidy) can reduce Part D prescription drug costs to near $0 for eligible Washington County seniors who meet federal income and asset limits.

• Medicare Savings Programs may cover Part B premiums and other cost-sharing for qualifying low-income Washington County residents.

• The Dual Special Needs Plan, Healthy Blue Medicare DSNP, coordinates Medicare and Medicaid benefits for Washington County residents who qualify for both programs.

• NC Medicaid may provide additional coverage for low-income Washington County residents who meet state eligibility requirements alongside their Medicare benefits.

• Health Plans of NC agents help Washington County residents check eligibility for every financial assistance program and guide them through the application process at no cost.

Get free Medicare help in Washington County

Health Plans of NC licensed agents serve Washington County residents at no cost, comparing all 8 available Medicare plans side by side to match each senior with the coverage that fits their doctors, prescriptions, and budget. Call 800-797-0327 to speak with an agent who can walk you through your options in Plymouth, Roper, Creswell, or anywhere else in Washington County and help you enroll with confidence.

• 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 Washington 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.

What hospitals are in Washington County?

What clinics are in Washington County?