There are a variety of health insurance plans available to residents of North Carolina. There are many options for you, regardless of whether you do not have insurance or are unemployed. There is no reason for you to be without any type of coverage. The ability to have health insurance can help prevent you from being left without cover and incurring huge medical bills.
North Carolina Health Insurance Costs
North Carolina's average cost of health insurance is not as high as other states. However there are some variations between counties. North Carolina has an average cost of $6,352 for individuals and $25,408 for families. This is $629 below the national average. 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. Check out the table below to see how insurance rates in North Carolina compare.
North Carolina's individual health insurance market is dominated by Blue Cross Blue Shield, which controls nearly ninety-seven percent of the state's individual market. According to federal data, North Carolinians paid a lower premium in 2021 compared to 2019. North Carolina has one the highest rates of enrollees who have received subsidies or 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.
Exclusions for pre-existing conditions
North Carolina's individual health insurance policies have exclusions that apply to pre-existing medical conditions. These exclusions may be lessened if the policyholder has prior creditable health coverage. If coverage was in place within six months prior to the date of the policy starting, it is considered creditable.
Prior to the Affordable Care Act insurance companies could deny coverage or charge higher rates for people who had certain health conditions. But this was not true in all cases. A national survey found that nearly a third (33%) of those who applied for insurance coverage were denied due to pre-existing medical conditions. 54 percent of people who have individual market insurance are concerned about losing coverage for pre-existing medical 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 with employer-sponsored health insurance paid almost 14 percent of their state's median income, compared to just over eleven percent in 2008. Comparatively, 8 percent of Americans spent their income on health care in 2008 and 11.5 percent in 2018, respectively.
Americans now have access to affordable health insurance through the Affordable Care act. The Affordable Care Act's Health Insurance Marketplace makes it possible to buy health insurance in North Carolina starting at $600 per monthly. Health insurance plans can be purchased through a private insurer or through the Marketplace. 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
A great way to bridge between regular and short-term health insurance is through short-term health insurance 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. Compare premiums, deductibles copays, maximum benefits, plan start dates, and copays to make the best selection.
North Carolina residents can get short-term coverage through their health insurance plan. These policies can be used to replace individual health insurance policies and last for up to 36 months. These plans may be renewed for longer periods in some cases. They are also very affordable, especially if you don't have coverage through an employer.
Medicare coverage
Medicare coverage is possible for senior citizens in North Carolina. There are many plans you can choose from. Many of them are tiered and provide different levels coverage. There are also a variety of supplemental coverage options and some plans include prescription drug coverage. Original Medicare has the most basic coverage and allows you to choose a provider anywhere in the U.S.
Original Medicare is the most basic type of Medicare. It covers doctor visits, medical equipment, mental health services, emergency services, and ambulance services. Original Medicare doesn't cover prescription drugs. However, Medicare Part D can provide prescription drug coverage. You can also opt for Medicare Advantage Plans that include HMOs and PPOs as well as private fee-for-service plans and special needs plans. Some of these plans even include vision and hearing coverage, fitness programs, and more.