Live Worry-Free. Find the Right Medicare Plan in NC. in Watauga County
North Carolina
in North Carolina
Health Plans of NC helps Watauga County, NC residents compare all 8 available Medicare plans for 2026 at no cost, connecting seniors with coverage that works alongside local providers like Watauga Medical Center and Appalachian Regional Healthcare.
Watauga County, NC has a total population of 54,607, and approximately 9,000 residents are Medicare-eligible, representing 16.7% of the county. Local health systems including Watauga Medical Center in Boone and Appalachian Regional Healthcare accept Medicare and serve as key in-network facilities for many of the Medicare Advantage plans offered in the county. Watauga County residents can choose from Medicare Advantage HMO, HMO-POS, and PPO plans, a standalone Part D prescription drug plan, a Dual Special Needs Plan, and Medicare Supplement coverage that works with any Medicare-accepting provider.
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 | $47.00/month |
Blue Medicare PPO Enhanced | PPO | $53.00/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 Watauga County provide coordinated care through a defined network that includes providers affiliated with Watauga Medical Center in Boone.
Medicare Advantage HMO-POS plans offer the structure of an HMO with added flexibility to seek some services outside the network, useful for Watauga County residents who occasionally travel for care.
Medicare Advantage PPO plans in Watauga County allow beneficiaries to see both in-network and out-of-network providers, making them a strong option for those who visit regional specialists beyond local Boone-area facilities.
Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plans work alongside Original Medicare and allow Watauga County residents to use any Medicare-accepting provider nationwide, including large referral centers like Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist.
Part D Prescription Drug Plans provide standalone drug coverage for Watauga County residents enrolled in Original Medicare or Medicare Supplement, covering medications at local and mail-order pharmacies.
Dual Special Needs Plans (D-SNP) are designed for Watauga County residents who qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid, offering coordinated benefits through local health systems including Appalachian Regional Healthcare.
For 2026, Blue Cross NC offers eight Medicare plans in Watauga County spanning HMO, HMO-POS, PPO, D-SNP, and standalone Part D structures, with several plans carrying a $0 monthly premium beyond the standard Part B cost. These plans connect beneficiaries to local providers such as Watauga Medical Center at 336 Deerfield Road in Boone and Appalachian Regional clinics at 194 Doctors Drive in Boone, as well as regional referral systems for more specialized care. Residents should review each plan's network and formulary carefully to confirm their preferred local and regional providers are covered before enrolling.
Blue Medicare Medical Only, HMO-POS, $0.00 per month, provides access to in-network providers affiliated with Watauga Medical Center and local Boone-area facilities.
Blue Medicare Essential, HMO, $0.00 per month, offers coordinated care through a defined network that includes Appalachian Regional Healthcare clinics in Boone and Jefferson.
Blue Medicare Essential Plus, HMO-POS, $0.00 per month, combines HMO structure with limited out-of-network access for Watauga County residents who may need care beyond the local network.
Blue Medicare Enhanced, HMO-POS, $47.00 per month, delivers enhanced benefits within a flexible HMO-POS network that connects to Watauga County's primary care and specialty providers.
Blue Medicare PPO Enhanced, PPO, $53.00 per month, gives Watauga County residents the broadest plan flexibility, allowing in-network and out-of-network use at facilities like Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist in Winston-Salem.
Blue Medicare Freedom+, HMO-POS, $0.00 per month, is a $0 premium option with HMO-POS flexibility suited to Watauga County seniors who primarily use local Boone-area providers.
Healthy Blue Medicare DSNP, HMO-POS, $0.00 per month, serves dual-eligible Watauga County residents by coordinating Medicare and Medicaid benefits through local health systems.
Blue Medicare Rx Enhanced PDP, standalone Part D prescription drug plan, $163.20 per month, covers prescription costs at local and mail-order pharmacies for Watauga County residents on Original Medicare or a Medicare Supplement plan.
In Watauga County, Medicare Advantage plan premiums for 2026 range from $0.00 per month for plans like Blue Medicare Essential and Blue Medicare Freedom+ up to $53.00 per month for Blue Medicare PPO Enhanced, giving residents meaningful options across a range of budgets. The standalone Blue Medicare Rx Enhanced PDP carries a monthly premium of $163.20 for those who need prescription drug coverage alongside Original Medicare or a Medigap policy. Watauga County's median household income of $51,367 means that cost-reduction programs such as Extra Help, Medicare Savings Programs, and the Low Income Subsidy can make a significant difference for eligible residents looking to lower their total Medicare costs.
Part A: $0 premium for most Watauga 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 Medicare carrier offering plans to Watauga County residents for 2026, with a total of 8 plans available in the county. Those 8 plans span HMO, HMO-POS, PPO, D-SNP, and standalone Part D prescription drug plan structures, giving residents access to multiple coverage configurations from a single statewide carrier. Blue Cross NC's plan networks in Watauga County connect directly to local health systems, meaning the specific plan a resident selects will determine whether facilities such as Watauga Medical Center and Appalachian Regional Healthcare clinics are accessible as in-network providers without additional cost-sharing. Residents seeking specialty care at larger regional referral centers such as Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist in Winston-Salem or Novant Health Forsyth Medical Center in Winston-Salem should verify that their chosen plan's network includes those facilities before enrolling. Health Plans of NC agents compare all 8 Blue Cross NC Medicare plans available in Watauga County side-by-side at no cost, helping residents identify the right carrier plan structure for their individual healthcare needs.
Blue Cross NC, offering HMO, HMO-POS, PPO, D-SNP, and Part D prescription drug plans, with 8 total plans available in Watauga County for 2026.
Watauga County has an uninsured rate of 10.7% and a poverty rate of 24.7%, indicating that a substantial share of local residents may qualify for programs that reduce Medicare costs significantly. Extra Help, also known as the Low Income Subsidy, can lower Part D prescription drug costs to near $0 for eligible Watauga County seniors based on income and resource limits set by the federal government. Medicare Savings Programs can cover the Part B premium entirely for qualifying residents, and Watauga County residents who are enrolled in both Medicare and Medicaid may be eligible for the Healthy Blue Medicare DSNP, which coordinates both benefit programs through local providers. Health Plans of NC agents check eligibility for every available assistance program at no cost to Watauga County residents, helping seniors access every dollar of savings they qualify for.
Extra Help (Low Income Subsidy) can reduce Part D prescription drug plan costs to near $0 for eligible Watauga County residents who meet federal income and resource limits.
Medicare Savings Programs may cover the monthly Part B premium for qualifying low-income Watauga County residents, significantly reducing their total annual Medicare expense.
The Healthy Blue Medicare DSNP is available to Watauga County residents who qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid, providing coordinated benefits through local health systems.
NC Medicaid may provide additional coverage for low-income Watauga County residents who do not yet qualify for Medicare or need supplemental assistance alongside their Medicare benefits.
Health Plans of NC agents help Watauga County residents apply for Extra Help, Medicare Savings Programs, and D-SNP enrollment at no cost and with no sales pressure.
Health Plans of NC licensed agents serve Watauga County residents at no cost, comparing every available Medicare plan side-by-side and assisting with enrollment and annual plan changes. Call 800-797-0327 today to speak with an agent who knows Watauga County's local providers 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 Watauga 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 |
|---|---|---|
Alleghany Memorial Hospital | 233 Doctors St, Sparta, NC 28675 | (336) 372-5511 |
Ashe Memorial Hospital | 200 Hospital Ave, Jefferson, NC 28640 | (336) 846-7101 |
Atrium Health Wake Forest Bapt | 1 Medical Center Blvd, Winston Salem, NC 27157 | (336) 713-4500 |
Atrium Health Wake Forest Bapt | 1 Medical Center Blvd, Winston Salem, NC 27157 | (336) 716-2011 |
Atrium Health Wake Forest Bapt | 1370 W D St, North Wilkesboro, NC 28659 | (336) 651-8100 |
Atrium Health Wake Forest Bapt | Medical Center Blvd, Winston Salem, NC 27157 | (336) 716-2011 |
Atrium Health Wake Forrest | 250 Hospital Dr, Lexington, NC 27292 | (336) 248-5161 |
Davie Medical Ctr | 329 NC Highway 801 N, Bermuda Run, NC 27006 | (336) 998-1300 |
Hugh Chatham Memorial Hospital | 180 Parkwood Dr, Elkin, NC 28621 | (336) 527-7000 |
Lifebrite Community Hosp-Stks | 1570 NC 8 And 89 Hwy N, Danbury, NC 27016 | (336) 593-2831 |
Northern Regional Hospital | 830 Rockford St, Mount Airy, NC 27030 | (336) 719-7000 |
Novant Health Forsyth Med Ctr | 3333 Silas Creek Pkwy, Winston Salem, NC 27103 | (336) 718-5000 |
Novant Health Kernersville Med | 1750 Kernersville Medical Pkwy, Kernersville, NC 27284 | (336) 564-4000 |
Novant Health Med Park Hosp | 1950 S Hawthorne Rd, Winston Salem, NC 27103 | (336) 718-0785 |
Novant Health Rehab Hosp An | 2475 Hillcrest Center Cir, Winston Salem, NC 27103 | (336) 754-3500 |
Novant Health Thomasville Med | 207 Old Lexington Rd, Thomasville, NC 27360 | (336) 472-2000 |
Old Vineyard Behavioral Health | 3637 Old Vineyard Rd, Winston Salem, NC 27104 | (336) 794-3550 |
Stokes Reynolds Meml Hosp Inc | , Danbury, NC 27016 | (336) 593-5356 |
Watauga Medical Ctr | 336 Deerfield Rd, Boone, NC 28607 | (828) 262-4100 |
Clinic | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
Appalachian Regional | 194 Doctors Dr, Boone, NC 28607 | (828) 386-2663 |
Appalachian Regional | 200 Hospital Ave # 6, Jefferson, NC 28640 | (828) 386-2663 |
Atrium Health Wake Forest Bapt | 10 Medical Park Dr # 1, Lexington, NC 27292 | (336) 716-9253 |
Bethany Medical Ctr | 1908 Caudle Dr # 100, Mount Airy, NC 27030 | (336) 883-0029 |
Boone Urology Ctr | 400 Shadowline Dr # 103-104, Boone, NC 28607 | (828) 264-5150 |
Cone Health Medcenter Krnrsvll | 1635 N Carolina Highway 66 S, Kernersville, NC 27284 | (336) 992-5100 |
Cone Health Medcenter Krnrsvll | 1635 NC 66 S, Kernersville, NC 27284 | (336) 992-5100 |
Cone Health Outpatient Rehab | 1635 N Carolina 66 # 255, Kernersville, NC 27284 | (336) 992-4820 |
Department Of Emergency Med | Medical Center Blvd, Winston Salem, NC 27157 | (336) 716-4625 |
Harmony Center For Women | 381 Deerfield Rd, Boone, NC 28607 | (828) 268-8970 |
Hoots Memorial Hospital | , Yadkinville, NC 27055 | (336) 679-6728 |
Lexington Medical Ctr | 811 W Main St, Lexington, NC 27293 | (803) 936-7203 |
Lung Center | 870 State Farm Rd # 100, Boone, NC 28607 | (828) 386-2746 |
Novant Health Bariatric Sltns | 760 Highland Oaks Dr # 200, Winston Salem, NC 27103 | (336) 277-4380 |
Novant Health Ortho-Sports | 7138 Village Medical Cir, Clemmons, NC 27012 | (336) 893-2400 |
Sneak-A-Peek | 2501 Neudorf Rd, Clemmons, NC 27012 | (336) 247-5141 |
Thomasville Medical Ctr | 6233 Denton Rd, Thomasville, NC 27360 | (336) 476-2537 |
Wake Forest Bapt Health Davie | 329 N Carolina Highway 801 N, Bermuda Run, NC 27006 | (336) 998-1300 |
Watauga Medical Ctr Outpatient | 1200 State Farm Rd, Boone, NC 28607 | (828) 262-4153 |
WFU Baptist Medical Ctr | Medical Center Blvd, Winston Salem, NC 27157 | (336) 713-7700 |
WFU Baptist Medical Ctr | Orthopaedic Surgery, Winston Salem, NC 27157 | (336) 716-2093 |
WFUBMC | 1450 Professional Park Dr, Winston Salem, NC 27103 | (336) 659-2701 |
Wilkes Regional Med Ctr Axlry | 500 Courthouse Dr, Wilkesboro, NC 28697 | (336) 651-8100 |
Wilkes Regional Medical Ctr | 1370 W D St, North Wilkesboro, NC 28659 | (336) 651-8100 |
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
Watauga County ZIP Codes include: 28604, 28605, 28607, 28608, 28618, 28679, 28691, 28692, and 28698
