Asheville, North Carolina: health insurance
Asheville is in Buncombe County. Here is what Asheville residents should know about coverage.
Coverage in Asheville
Asheville has about 95,056 residents (U.S. Census Bureau 2023 estimate).
Plans for Asheville residents are determined by Buncombe County, home to about 275,901 people (2023 estimate). Medicare Advantage plans and marketplace plans are offered by area, so use your ZIP code when you compare, and make sure a plan covers Buncombe County before you choose it.
- Turning 65 in Asheville? Your Initial Enrollment Period runs seven months around your birthday. SHIIP (Seniors' Health Insurance Information Program) offers free counseling at 855-408-1212.
- Buying your own plan? Shop through HealthCare.gov (federal Marketplace).
- Medicaid questions? NC Medicaid (NC Department of Health and Human Services) handles applications.
North Carolina note: 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.
Medicare plans leaving Buncombe County for 2027
Medicare plans are set by county, so this applies to residents of this city. 18 plans are listed in Buncombe County for 2026 but not for 2027, covering at least 4,982 people.
| Plan going away | Company | People enrolled (at least) |
|---|---|---|
| UHC Dual Complete NC-S3 (HMO-POS D-SNP) H5253-184 | UnitedHealthcare | 1,566 |
| UHC Dual Complete NC-D001 (HMO-POS D-SNP) H5253-041 | UnitedHealthcare | 1,291 |
| AARP Medicare Advantage from UHC NC-0008 (HMO-POS) H5253-079 | UnitedHealthcare | 1,217 |
| Alignment Health Platinum (HMO) H5296-003 | Alignment Healthcare USA | 386 |
| HealthSpring Preferred (HMO) H9725-009 | Cigna HealthSpring (HCSC) | 132 |
| HealthSpring Preferred Savings (HMO) H9725-015 | Cigna HealthSpring (HCSC) | 111 |
See all 18 plans leaving Buncombe County →
A plan can be listed because it was renumbered or replaced, not only because a company is leaving the county. When the same company keeps other plans there, members are usually moved to a replacement plan. Your plan should send you a notice, and Medicare’s Annual Enrollment Period (October 15 to December 7) is when you can compare and switch. “People enrolled” is the number enrolled in that plan today (CMS hides counts of 10 or fewer). Source: CMS Medicare Advantage and Part D landscape files for 2026 and 2027, and CMS enrollment data from September 2026.
Colleges and universities near Asheville
North Carolina public institutions include University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina State University, East Carolina University. Students and employees at these schools should check their school’s student health or benefits office, because campus plans and employer plans work differently from individual coverage. More about North Carolina colleges.
Do Asheville and Buncombe County have the same plans?
Plans are offered by service area, and Asheville falls under Buncombe County. A plan that serves Buncombe County is generally the one that applies to you.
Do I have to enroll if I call?
No. A call is a conversation about your options.
Asheville residents: call 855-367-1095
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 855-367-1095Other major North Carolina cities
- Charlotte
- Raleigh
- Greensboro
- Durham
- Winston-Salem
- Fayetteville
- Cary
- Wilmington
- High Point
- Concord
- Greenville
- Gastonia
Reviewed 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.