North Carolina residents have a wide range of options for health insurance. There are many options available for you whether you don’t have coverage at the moment or you aren’t working. There is no reason for you to be without any type of coverage. Being covered by health insurance will help you avoid getting stuck with large medical bills.
North Carolina's cost of health insurance
North Carolina has a low cost for health insurance, but there are variations from one county to another. The average cost of health insurance in North Carolina is $6,352 per person and $25,408 per family. This is $629 more than the national standard. As with other states, the cost of North Carolina's health insurance varies depending upon the type of policy you choose and the population that you insure. The table below shows you how to compare North Carolina's insurance prices.
Blue Cross Blue Shield holds nearly ninety seven percent of North Carolina’s individual market for health insurance. According to the federal data, North Carolinians paid more in 2021 that they did in 2019. North Carolina has one of the highest proportions of enrollees that received subsidies and premium tax credits. 93% of North Carolina residents actually received some type subsidy to lower their coverage's cost. North Carolinians received more monthly average subsidies than those in the rest of America. North Carolina had an average of $568 in subsidies, which is higher than the $491 average nationwide.
Pre-existing condition exclusions
North Carolina individual health insurance policies are subject to exclusions for pre-existing conditions. These exclusions may be lessened if the policyholder has prior creditable health coverage. Prior coverage that covers a preexisting condition within the six-month period prior to the policy start date is considered creditable.
Prior to the Affordable Care Act, insurers could deny coverage or charge higher premiums for people with certain health conditions. However, this was not the case in all cases. A survey showed that almost a quarter of all individuals who had pre-existing conditions were denied insurance coverage or charged more. 54 percent of those with individual market coverage were also concerned about losing their coverage due to preexisting conditions.
Premiums
The average premium for a family health insurance plan in North Carolina was $18,211 in 2018 compared to just under $12,000 in 2008. However, premiums do not always spread evenly across the counties. North Carolinians who had employer-sponsored health insurance spent nearly 14 percent of their state’s median income. This is compared to just under eleven percent in 2008. In comparison, the average American spent 8% of their income in 2008 on health care, and 11.5% in 2018.
The Affordable Care Act has made health insurance more affordable for Americans. Individuals can now purchase North Carolina health insurance from the Affordable CareAct's Health Insurance Marketplace, for less than $600 per year. Private insurers or the Marketplace can provide health insurance plans. The North Carolina Marketplace offers health insurance plans. However, enrollment is only open between November 1 and January 15. A qualifying event must be present before an Exchange plan can be enrolled.
Short-term plans
You can bridge the gap between your regular insurance and short term coverage with short-term plans. These plans are ideal for those who have just recently been divorced, want to supplement or retire early, as well as people looking to replace their existing coverage. Short-term plans are typically less restrictive than standard health insurance. This is why it's so important to compare features between each plan. Make sure to compare premiums, deductibles, copays, maximum benefits, and plan start dates to make the best choice.
Short-term health insurance plans are available to North Carolina residents who need temporary coverage. These policies are designed to replace individual policies for health insurance and can last upto 36 months. These plans may be renewed for longer periods in some cases. These plans are affordable, especially if they don't come with coverage from an employer.
Medicare coverage
Medicare coverage is possible for senior citizens in North Carolina. There are several different plans available to choose from, and they are usually tiered, with different levels of coverage. There are many options for supplemental coverage, and some plans even provide prescription drug coverage. Original Medicare is the most basic type of coverage. It allows you to select a provider from any part of the United States.
Original Medicare is Medicare's most basic program. It covers doctor appointments, mental health care, ambulance services, durable medical equipment, and other services. Original Medicare does not provide coverage for prescription drugs. Prescription drug coverage can be obtained through Medicare Part D. These plans may include vision and hearing coverage and fitness programs.