2026 plan year · North Carolina
2026 health insurance plans in Watauga County, NC
26 Marketplace plans from 2 insurers. Premiums below are full monthly prices before tax credits. Use the age columns to see how price changes with age.
- $737benchmark silver (age 40)
- $557cheapest bronze (age 40)
- 2insurers
- +38.4%benchmark change vs. 2025
Insurer changes from 2025
- Leaving: WellCare of North Carolina. See what to do if your insurer leaves.
Bronze plans
| Plan | Age 21 | Age 40 | Age 60 | Deductible | Out-of-pocket max | Doctor visit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AmeriHealth Caritas Next Bronze Essential + No Referrals AmeriHealth Caritas Next · HMO | $436 | $557 | $1,184 | $10,600 | $10,600 | $25 |
Expanded Bronze plans
| Plan | Age 21 | Age 40 | Age 60 | Deductible | Out-of-pocket max | Doctor visit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AmeriHealth Caritas Next Bronze Signature + No Referrals AmeriHealth Caritas Next · HMO | $441 | $564 | $1,197 | $7,500 | $10,000 | $50 |
| AmeriHealth Caritas Next Bronze Premier + No Referrals AmeriHealth Caritas Next · HMO | $451 | $576 | $1,223 | $3,850 | $10,600 | $40 |
| Blue Care Bronze Basic | 3 Free PCP | $25 Tier 1 Rx | Integrated | Statewide Doctors Blue Cross and Blue Shield of NC · HMO | $488 | $624 | $1,324 | $7,000 | $10,600 | $95 |
| Blue Advantage Bronze Basic | 3 Free PCP | $25 Tier 1 Rx | Integrated | Nationwide Doctors Blue Cross and Blue Shield of NC · PPO | $503 | $643 | $1,365 | $7,000 | $10,600 | $95 |
| Blue Care Bronze Standard | Statewide Doctors Blue Cross and Blue Shield of NC · HMO | $509 | $650 | $1,381 | $7,500 | $10,000 | $50 |
| Blue Care Bronze Complete | $60 PCP | $20 Tier 1 Rx | Statewide Doctors Blue Cross and Blue Shield of NC · HMO | $515 | $658 | $1,397 | $4,000 | $10,600 | $60 |
| Blue Advantage Bronze Standard | Nationwide Doctors Blue Cross and Blue Shield of NC · PPO | $523 | $669 | $1,420 | $7,500 | $10,000 | $50 |
| Blue Care Bronze HSA Eligible | Integrated | Statewide Doctors Blue Cross and Blue Shield of NC · HMO | $528 | $674 | $1,432 | $8,500 | $8,500 | No Charge after Deductible |
| Blue Advantage Bronze Complete | $60 PCP | $20 Tier 1 Rx | Nationwide Doctors Blue Cross and Blue Shield of NC · PPO | $530 | $678 | $1,440 | $4,000 | $10,600 | $60 |
| Blue Advantage Bronze HSA Eligible | Integrated | Nationwide Doctors Blue Cross and Blue Shield of NC · PPO | $544 | $695 | $1,476 | $8,500 | $8,500 | No Charge after Deductible |
Silver plans
| Plan | Age 21 | Age 40 | Age 60 | Deductible | Out-of-pocket max | Doctor visit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AmeriHealth Caritas Next Silver Essential + No Referrals AmeriHealth Caritas Next · HMO | $572 | $731 | $1,552 | $6,100 | $9,000 | $25 |
| AmeriHealth Caritas Next Silver Signature + No Referrals AmeriHealth Caritas Next · HMO | $577 | $737 | $1,566 | $6,000 | $8,900 | $40 |
| AmeriHealth Caritas Next Silver Premier + No Referrals AmeriHealth Caritas Next · HMO | $589 | $753 | $1,599 | $400 | $10,200 | $50 |
| Blue Care Silver Preferred | 3 Free PCP | $10 Tier 1 Rx | Integrated | Statewide Doctors Blue Cross and Blue Shield of NC · HMO | $640 | $817 | $1,736 | $2,800 | $10,600 | $40 |
| Blue Care Silver Standard | Statewide Doctors Blue Cross and Blue Shield of NC · HMO | $648 | $828 | $1,759 | $6,000 | $8,900 | $40 |
| Blue Advantage Silver Preferred | 3 Free PCP | $10 Tier 1 Rx | Integrated | Nationwide Doctors Blue Cross and Blue Shield of NC · PPO | $659 | $842 | $1,789 | $2,800 | $10,600 | $40 |
| Blue Care Silver Choice A | 3 Free PCP | $15 Tier 1 Rx | Statewide Doctors Blue Cross and Blue Shield of NC · HMO | $661 | $845 | $1,794 | $3,000 | $10,600 | $45 |
| Blue Advantage Silver Standard | Nationwide Doctors Blue Cross and Blue Shield of NC · PPO | $666 | $852 | $1,808 | $6,000 | $8,900 | $40 |
| Blue Advantage Silver Choice A | 3 Free PCP | $15 Tier 1 Rx | Nationwide Doctors Blue Cross and Blue Shield of NC · PPO | $681 | $871 | $1,849 | $3,000 | $10,600 | $45 |
Gold plans
| Plan | Age 21 | Age 40 | Age 60 | Deductible | Out-of-pocket max | Doctor visit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AmeriHealth Caritas Next Gold Signature + No Referrals AmeriHealth Caritas Next · HMO | $591 | $755 | $1,603 | $2,000 | $8,200 | $30 |
| AmeriHealth Caritas Next Gold Premier + No Referrals AmeriHealth Caritas Next · HMO | $613 | $784 | $1,665 | $850 | $8,500 | $15 |
| Blue Care Gold Premier A | 3 Free PCP | $10 Tier 1 Rx | Statewide Doctors Blue Cross and Blue Shield of NC · HMO | $671 | $858 | $1,821 | $1,800 | $10,600 | $15 |
| Blue Care Gold Standard A | Statewide Doctors Blue Cross and Blue Shield of NC · HMO | $680 | $868 | $1,844 | $2,000 | $8,200 | $30 |
| Blue Advantage Gold Premier A | 3 Free PCP | $10 Tier 1 Rx | Nationwide Doctors Blue Cross and Blue Shield of NC · PPO | $692 | $884 | $1,877 | $1,800 | $10,600 | $15 |
| Blue Advantage Gold Standard A | Nationwide Doctors Blue Cross and Blue Shield of NC · PPO | $699 | $893 | $1,896 | $2,000 | $8,200 | $30 |
Care quality in Watauga County
Marketplace plans use networks. Check that the hospitals and doctors you'd want are in network, and how they're rated.
Turning 65?
Marketplace plans are for people who aren't on Medicare. See Medicare Advantage plans in Watauga County.
Frequently asked questions
How many Marketplace health plans are available in Watauga County, NC for 2026?
26 plans from 2 insurers: AmeriHealth Caritas Next, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of NC.
What is the benchmark silver plan premium in Watauga County, NC?
For 2026, the second-lowest-cost silver plan costs $737 a month for a 40-year-old before tax credits, up 38.4% from 2025. Tax credits are calculated from this plan, so most people who qualify pay much less.
What is the cheapest health plan in Watauga County, NC?
The lowest bronze premium for a 40-year-old is $557 a month before tax credits. Bronze plans have low premiums but high deductibles.
Did any insurers leave Watauga County, NC?
WellCare of North Carolina offered plans here in 2025 but doesn't for 2026. If you had one of their plans, you'll need to pick a new plan during open enrollment, or you may be moved to a similar plan automatically.