North Carolina residents have many options when it comes to health insurance. There are many options for you, regardless of whether you do not have insurance or are unemployed. There's no reason to take a chance without any kind 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 has a low cost for health insurance, but there are variations from one county to another. North Carolina's average cost for health insurance is $6,352 per individual and $25,408 per household. This is $629 less than the national average. The cost of North Carolina health insurance is just as variable as anywhere else. It varies based on what type of insurance and who you insure. You can compare the cost of insurance in North Carolina by checking out the chart below.
Blue Cross Blue Shield holds nearly ninety seven percent of North Carolina’s individual market for health insurance. According to the latest federal data, North Carolinians paid less in 2021 than they did in 2019. Furthermore, North Carolina is home to one of the highest percentages of enrollees who received premium tax credits and subsidies. In fact, 93% of North Carolina residents received some form of subsidy to help lower the cost of their coverage. Furthermore, North Carolinians were granted larger average monthly subsidies than people in the rest of the country. Compared to the national average of $491, the average amount of subsidies in North Carolina was $568.
Exclusions for pre-existing conditions
Pre-existing conditions are exempt from individual health insurance policies in North Carolina. If the policyholder had creditable coverage in the past, this exclusion may be reduced. Prior coverage is considered creditable if it covers a pre-existing condition within six months of the time of the policy start date.
Prior to the Affordable Care Act (ACA), insurers could deny coverage for certain people or charge higher premiums if they knew about 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 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. Premiums are not evenly distributed across counties, though. 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.
The Affordable Care Act has made health insurance more affordable for Americans. The Affordable Care Act's Health Insurance Marketplace allows individuals to purchase health insurance in North Carolina for less than $600 per month. A private insurer, or the Marketplace, can sell health insurance plans. Enrollment in health insurance plans in North Carolina is open from November 1 to January 15, but a qualifying event must occur before a person can enroll in an Exchange plan.
Plans for the short term
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. To make the best decision, compare premiums and deductibles as well as copays and maximum benefits.
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. They are also very affordable, especially if you don't have coverage through an employer.
Medicare coverage
If you're a senior in North Carolina, you may be eligible for Medicare coverage. There are many different plans that you can choose from. These plans tend to be tiered with different levels, which means they offer different levels. There are also different supplemental coverage options, and some plans even offer 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 the most basic type of Medicare. It covers doctor visits, medical equipment, mental health services, emergency services, and ambulance services. Original Medicare does NOT cover prescription drugs. But, Medicare Part D provides prescription drug coverage. Or, you can choose one of the Medicare Advantage Plans. These plans include HMOs (PPOs), Private Fee-For Service plans, Special Needs Plans, and other private fees-for-service plans. Some of these plans even include vision and hearing coverage, fitness programs, and more.