Gastonia, North Carolina: health insurance
Gastonia is in Gaston County. Here is what Gastonia residents should know about coverage.
Coverage in Gastonia
Gastonia has about 83,942 residents (U.S. Census Bureau 2023 estimate).
Plans for Gastonia residents are determined by Gaston County, home to about 237,242 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 Gaston County before you choose it.
- Turning 65 in Gastonia? 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 Gaston County for 2027
Medicare plans are set by county, so this applies to residents of this city. 13 plans are listed in Gaston County for 2026 but not for 2027, covering at least 2,942 people.
| Plan going away | Company | People enrolled (at least) |
|---|---|---|
| UHC Dual Complete NC-S3 (HMO-POS D-SNP) H5253-184 | UnitedHealthcare | 1,601 |
| UHC Dual Complete NC-D001 (HMO-POS D-SNP) H5253-041 | UnitedHealthcare | 1,063 |
| HealthSpring Preferred Plus (HMO) H9725-017 | Cigna HealthSpring (HCSC) | 94 |
| HumanaChoice H5525-050 (PPO) H5525-050 | Humana | 50 |
| Aetna Medicare Signature Care (HMO) H3146-021 | Aetna (CVS Health) | 45 |
| HumanaChoice H5525-083 (PPO) H5525-083 | Humana | 30 |
See all 13 plans leaving Gaston 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 Gastonia
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 Gastonia and Gaston County have the same plans?
Plans are offered by service area, and Gastonia falls under Gaston County. A plan that serves Gaston 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.
Gastonia 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
- Asheville
- Greenville
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.