North Carolina Health Insurance Carriers for 2026
These are the insurers selling individual and family health plans in North Carolina for 2026, and where to buy them.
The North Carolina individual market in 2026
Six insurers sell individual and family Marketplace plans in North Carolina for 2026, down from nine in 2025 after Aetna, WellCare (Celtic) and CareSource left. Approved rate increases ranged from about 17% to 36% before subsidies, with a weighted average near 28%.
Insurers selling individual plans in North Carolina
| Insurer | Sells Marketplace plans | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina | Yes | The state's largest Blue plan sells Marketplace plans for 2026 after an approved average rate increase of about 29%. |
| Ambetter of North Carolina (Centene) | Yes | Sells Marketplace plans for 2026 with an approved average rate increase of about 23%. |
| AmeriHealth Caritas North Carolina | Yes | Sells Marketplace plans for 2026 and had the largest approved increase in the state, about 36%. |
| Cigna HealthCare of North Carolina | Yes | Sells Marketplace plans for 2026 with an approved average rate increase of about 27%. |
| Oscar Health Plan of North Carolina | Yes | Sells Marketplace plans for 2026 and had the smallest approved increase in the state, about 17%. |
| UnitedHealthcare of North Carolina | Yes | Sells Marketplace plans for 2026 with an approved average rate increase of about 32%. |
Not every insurer sells in every county. Your ZIP code determines which plans you can buy.
North Carolina questions
Don’t see your question? Ask a licensed agent or call (888) 214-4898.
Six: Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina, Ambetter (Centene), AmeriHealth Caritas, Cigna, Oscar and UnitedHealthcare. Not every insurer sells in every county, so check what is offered where you live.
Aetna CVS Health left North Carolina's individual market after 2025, along with WellCare (Celtic) and CareSource. Former enrollees needed to pick a new plan, and you can compare the remaining six insurers during open enrollment.
KFF puts the 2026 average benchmark Silver premium for a 40-year-old in North Carolina at $638 a month, slightly above the U.S. average of $625. Older buyers pay more, and tax credits can lower the cost for eligible households.
Sources
Reviewed October 2026. Rules and prices change every year; a licensed agent will confirm what applies to you.
