Ambetter leads North Carolina with the cheapest health insurance at $671 monthly across all ages and plan types. County borders determine marketplace access, creating different insurer availability depending on where you live. AmeriHealth follows closely at $674 monthly, with Oscar, Blue Cross Blue Shield, UnitedHealthcare and Cigna Healthcare rounding out the competitive options.
Cheapest Health Insurance in North Carolina: Affordable Plans for 2026
Updated: January 8, 2026
Advertising & Editorial Disclosure
Key Takeaways
Ambetter is North Carolina's most affordable health insurance provider, with an average monthly premium of $671.
Ambetter offers the cheapest rates for children, teens, young adults, adults, seniors and HMO plans. Blue Cross Blue Shield has the lowest EPO, POS and PPO rates, and AmeriHealth provides the most affordable Bronze coverage.
Compare at least three insurers during Open Enrollment to find affordable coverage. Spending 30 minutes comparing plans can save you hundreds annually.
Most Affordable Health Insurance Companies in North Carolina
| Ambetter | $671 | $120 | $8,052 | $1,440 |
| AmeriHealth | $674 | $117 | $8,088 | $1,404 |
| Oscar Health Plan Of North Carolina, Inc | $708 | $83 | $8,496 | $996 |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $805 | $14 | $9,660 | $168 |
| UnitedHealthcare | $852 | $61 | $10,224 | $732 |
| Cigna Healthcare | $1,011 | $220 | $12,132 | $2,640 |
* We calculate average monthly rates by taking the rounded average of each provider’s monthly plan rates in North Carolina. We calculate average monthly savings by subtracting the statewide average monthly rate from each provider’s average to show how much cheaper they are than the overall state average. Your actual rates will vary based on age, location and chosen plan.
Ambetter
MoneyGeek Rating
4.6/ 5
5/5Affordability
2.8/5Deductible
5/5MOOP
Avg. Monthly Rate
$671Avg. MOOP
$6,299Avg. Deductible
$3,548
Cheapest North Carolina Health Insurance Providers By Profile
Three factors drive your insurance costs: your age, the plan type you select and which metal tier matches your medical needs. Premiums get all the attention, but they're just your monthly entry fee. Your real annual costs depend on how deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums interact with your actual health care usage patterns throughout the year.
| Children | Ambetter | $383 | $4,595 | $5,347 | $3,369 |
| Teens | Ambetter | $457 | $5,484 | $5,347 | $3,369 |
| Young Adults | Ambetter | $513 | $6,151 | $5,347 | $3,369 |
| Adults | Ambetter | $640 | $7,677 | $5,347 | $3,369 |
| HMO | Ambetter | $640 | $7,677 | $5,347 | $3,369 |
| EPO | Blue Cross Blue Shield | $661 | $7,930 | $6,135 | $2,330 |
| POS | Blue Cross Blue Shield | $727 | $8,719 | $6,184 | $2,330 |
| PPO | Blue Cross Blue Shield | $865 | $10,384 | $6,184 | $2,330 |
| Seniors | Ambetter | $1,359 | $16,303 | $5,347 | $3,369 |
* Rates shown are averages for silver-tier plans, using the following ages for each group: teens age 18, young adults age 26, adults age 40, seniors age 60. For plan type costs, we used average rates for 40-year-olds.
Cheapest North Carolina Health Insurance By Metal Level
Your metal tier choice creates a monthly premium versus point-of-care cost equation. Bronze keeps your monthly bill at $515 through AmeriHealth but hits you with a $7,950 deductible before insurance pays anything. Gold costs $667 monthly through Ambetter but cuts your deductible to $1,294, paying for itself quickly if you need regular care. Platinum plans don't exist in North Carolina's marketplace. Silver sits in the middle at $640 monthly with a $3,369 deductible, balancing affordability with reasonable care costs.
Bronze makes financial sense when you're healthy and rarely see doctors beyond annual checkups. Gold suits chronic conditions, regular prescriptions or planned procedures where you'll definitely hit your deductible anyway.
| Expanded Bronze | Ambetter | $514 | $6,165 | $7,663 | $5,981 |
| Bronze | AmeriHealth | $515 | $6,184 | $7,950 | $7,950 |
| Silver | Ambetter | $640 | $7,677 | $5,347 | $3,369 |
| Gold | Ambetter | $667 | $8,005 | $5,888 | $1,294 |
* Rates shown are the provider's average at the given metal tier for 40-year-olds.
Compare Cheap North Carolina Health Insurance Plans
The comparison table below shows North Carolina's most affordable plans filtered by your specific criteria:
Data filtered by:
HMO
Silver
40
No
| Ambetter | Standard Silver With Atrium Health | $578 | HMO | Silver | $5,657 | $3,100 | 40 | No |
| Ambetter | Focused Silver With Atrium Health | $584 | HMO | Silver | $5,321 | $3,436 | 40 | No |
| Ambetter | Standard Silver With Atrium Health + Vision + Adult Dental | $598 | HMO | Silver | $5,657 | $3,100 | 40 | No |
| Ambetter | Focused Silver With Atrium Health + Vision + Adult Dental | $604 | HMO | Silver | $5,321 | $3,436 | 40 | No |
| Oscar Health Plan Of North Carolina, Inc | Silver Simple Pcp Saver | With Atrium Health | $639 | HMO | Silver | $6,036 | $3,150 | 40 | No |
| Oscar Health Plan Of North Carolina, Inc | Silver Classic Standard | With Atrium Health | $647 | HMO | Silver | $5,657 | $3,100 | 40 | No |
| Oscar Health Plan Of North Carolina, Inc | Silver Simple Diabetes | With Atrium Health | $648 | HMO | Silver | $6,143 | $3,557 | 40 | No |
| Oscar Health Plan Of North Carolina, Inc | Silver Simple Breathe Easy With Enhanced Copd Benefits | With Atrium Health | $651 | HMO | Silver | $5,893 | $3,529 | 40 | No |
| Oscar Health Plan Of North Carolina, Inc | Silver Simple Chronic Care Ckm | With Atrium Health | $653 | HMO | Silver | $6,200 | $3,357 | 40 | No |
| Oscar Health Plan Of North Carolina, Inc | Silver Simple Women'S Health With Menopause Benefits | With Atrium Health | $654 | HMO | Silver | $6,207 | $3,481 | 40 | No |
How to Find the Cheapest Health Insurance in North Carolina
Finding affordable health insurance means weighing premiums against deductibles, out-of-pocket limits and network restrictions across dozens of competing plans. These six strategies cut through the complexity:
- 1Choose a plan type within your budget
Your health circumstances and income determine which type of plan and metal tier work best. Calculate your monthly premium budget, assess your current health status and evaluate your injury or illness risk based on age, location and lifestyle.
- 2Check if you qualify for subsidies
Your household income and size determine eligibility for 2026 health insurance subsidies. Subsidies apply to incomes between 100% and 400% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). Lower incomes receive larger subsidies, with credit amounts decreasing as income rises.
- 3Explore Medicare options if you qualify
Medicare, Medicaid, Medicare Advantage plans and Medicare Supplement plans cost less than marketplace coverage. Compare eligibility requirements and benefits for each program.
- 4Verify prescription coverage
Check which tier your medications fall under for each insurer. Some plans place common prescriptions on lower tiers with smaller copays, potentially saving you hundreds annually.
- 5Shop during Open Enrollment period
Open Enrollment runs from November 1 to January 15. You may qualify for Special Enrollment if you've lost your job, divorced or had a child. Compare coverage types, customer ratings, costs and whether your doctors accept the plan.
- 6Review plan networks and providers
Confirm your preferred doctors, hospitals and specialists accept your chosen insurance plan. Network restrictions vary between insurers, and out-of-network care costs more. Contact your healthcare providers directly to verify participation, as online directories aren't always current or accurate for North Carolina practices.
Cheapest Health Insurance in North Carolina: Bottom Line
Ambetter beats North Carolina competitors at $671 monthly, followed by AmeriHealth at $674 and Oscar at $708. Getting quotes from three or more insurers across different metal tiers reveals which combination of premiums, deductibles and networks actually costs less based on your medical needs.
Cheap North Carolina Health Insurance: FAQ
Below are answers to typical questions about affordable health insurance in North Carolina:
What is the cheapest health insurance in North Carolina?
Ambetter offers the cheapest health insurance, with Silver plans starting at $640 monthly for 40-year-olds.
What are the downsides of a cheap health insurance plan?
Cheap plans charge higher deductibles and out-of-pocket costs when you need medical care. You'll pay less monthly but more when using services. Higher-premium plans cost more upfront but reduce what you pay for doctor visits, prescriptions and procedures.
Do I qualify for subsidies on health insurance in North Carolina?
Subsidies reduce monthly premiums through HealthCare.gov, North Carolina's federal marketplace. Enter your household income during enrollment to check eligibility.
When can I enroll in health insurance in North Carolina?
You can enroll in North Carolina health insurance during Open Enrollment from November 1 to January 15 for coverage starting the following year. You may also qualify for Special Enrollment outside this window if you experience a qualifying life event like job loss, marriage or having a baby.
How We Decided the Cheapest Health Insurance Companies in North Carolina
North Carolina offers hundreds of health insurance plans, and premiums vary by age. We analyzed rate data from the federal health insurance marketplace to identify which insurers offer the lowest premiums for different demographics.
Our Analysis Approach
We collected plan data for consumers aged 18, 26, 40, 50 and 60 to cover the full age spectrum from teens through pre-Medicare seniors. We ranked providers by their average monthly premiums for 40-year-olds as our baseline "cheapest overall" category, since this age reflects North Carolina's median health insurance consumer and provides the most relevant comparison for most shoppers.
For age-specific rankings (teens, young adults, adults, seniors), we used the corresponding ages listed above. This approach reveals which insurers offer the best rates for your specific age group, not just generic "cheapest" rankings that may not apply to you.
Important Cost Tradeoff
Bronze and Silver plans (the lowest monthly premiums) charge $3,369 to $7,950 deductibles and $5,347 to $7,950 maximum out-of-pocket costs. You'll save monthly but pay more when you need care. Compare premiums and potential out-of-pocket expenses based on your expected medical usage.
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About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer, is MoneyGeek's resident Personal Finance Expert. He has analyzed the insurance market for over five years, conducting original research for insurance shoppers. His insights have been featured in CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.
Fitzpatrick holds a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He's also a five-time Jeopardy champion!
He writes about economics and insurance, breaking down complex topics so people know what they're buying.