Health insurance help for North Carolina residents
Compare Medicare, health insurance marketplace plans and Medicaid in North Carolina, with a guide for every county and each major city, reviewed by a licensed agent.
- Reviewed by Richard Lander, licensed agent (NPN 21255551)
- No cost to call
- No obligation to enroll
What is different about coverage in North Carolina
Since February 2024, an ACA application started on HealthCare.gov can route straight into NC Medicaid without a separate state application, part of North Carolina's continued Medicaid expansion rollout through NC Medicaid (NCDHHS). North Carolina Medical Insurance is free to use for North Carolina callers working through Medicare, ACA, life, or supplemental coverage questions.
- NC Medicaid, part of the Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS), now accepts Medicaid eligibility determinations coming directly from a HealthCare.gov application, so a single federal application can result in either ACA marketplace coverage or NC Medicaid depending on income.
- There's no separate North Carolina-run ACA exchange -- HealthCare.gov handles marketplace shopping and subsidy questions for North Carolina residents directly.
- SHIIP (Seniors' Health Insurance Information Program), reachable at 855-408-1212, is North Carolina's free Medicare counseling service, operated by the Department of Insurance and entirely separate from North Carolina Medical Insurance's own free phone help.
Worth knowing: North Carolina began accepting Medicaid eligibility determinations from the federal Marketplace in February 2024, part of the state's continued rollout of Medicaid expansion -- an application that starts on HealthCare.gov can now route directly into NC Medicaid without a separate state application.
Coverage questions we help North Carolina residents with
Health plans (ACA marketplace)
How North Carolina’s marketplace works, who qualifies for help with costs, and when you can enroll.
Medicare
Turning 65, Medicare Advantage, Medigap and drug plans, with North Carolina’s free counseling program.
Medicaid
Where to apply in North Carolina, and what to do when your coverage changes.
North Carolina by county
Medicare Advantage plans and marketplace premiums are set county by county, so the plans open to you depend on where in North Carolina you live. Start with your county.
Major North Carolina cities
North Carolina colleges and universities
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- North Carolina State University
- East Carolina University
- UNC Charlotte
- UNC Greensboro
- Appalachian State University
State bird: Northern Cardinal
Cardinalis cardinalis. North Carolina’s official state bird, shown here as a local touch.
Photo: Sandhillcrane (CC BY-SA 4.0), via Wikimedia CommonsCommon North Carolina questions
Where do I shop for ACA health plans in North Carolina?
North Carolina residents shop through HealthCare.gov (federal Marketplace) (https://www.healthcare.gov/north-carolina/). An independent agent such as Lander LLC can explain the plans for you, but the marketplace is the only place premium tax credits are applied.
How do I apply for Medicaid in North Carolina?
Medicaid in North Carolina is run through NC Medicaid (NC Department of Health and Human Services) (https://medicaid.ncdhhs.gov). Eligibility depends on income, household size and other factors, and it is decided by the state, not by an insurance agency.
Who regulates insurance in North Carolina?
North Carolina Department of Insurance (NCDOI) (https://www.ncdoi.gov/consumers) regulates insurance companies and agents in North Carolina. You can use it to check that an agent or company is licensed and to file a complaint.
Is there free, unbiased Medicare help in North Carolina?
Yes. SHIIP (Seniors' Health Insurance Information Program) (855-408-1212) offers free Medicare counseling through the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), separate from any insurance agency.
Does North Carolina Medical Insurance cost anything to use?
There is no cost to call or to speak with an agent. Insurance premiums and plan costs are set by the insurance companies and are separate from our help.
Talk with a licensed agent about North Carolina coverage
Call Lander LLC to go over your options. There is no cost to call or to speak with an agent, and you are never required to enroll in anything.
Call 855-367-1095Reviewed by Richard Lander, licensed insurance agent (NPN 21255551), Lander LLC. Last updated October 3, 2026. This page is educational and is not a quote, an offer of coverage, or legal or tax advice.