ACA plans available
65
Plan year
2026 data Public-data reference. official source
Columbus, North Carolina Health Insurance
Open-data reference.
65 ACA plans from 4 issuers — Plan year 2026
Columbus, North Carolina offers 65 ACA marketplace plans from 4 issuers for plan year 2026. Bronze plans start at $487/mo and Silver plans start at $562/mo (age 27, before subsidies). Use the tables below to compare premiums, deductibles, and issuers across all metal tiers.
$687
Avg Silver Premium/mo
$562
Benchmark Premium/mo
+31.7%
Year-over-Year Change
$4,795
Avg Deductible
What the Numbers Say About Columbus
Columbus, North Carolina has 65 ACA marketplace plans offered by 4 issuers for plan year 2026. The average Silver-tier premium comes in at $687/mo for a 27-year-old non-tobacco user, with the lowest Silver at $562 and the highest at $826. Bronze plans start at $487/mo — useful for healthy enrollees who want catastrophic protection with the lowest monthly outlay.
The benchmark (second-lowest Silver) premium is $562/mo, the figure the IRS uses to calculate your Advance Premium Tax Credit. Enrollees whose expected income-based contribution falls below this amount receive a subsidy for the difference. Across all plans, the average annual deductible is $4,795 and the average out-of-pocket maximum is $9,562 — numbers that matter more than the sticker premium once you actually use care. Year-over-year, average premiums in Columbus shifted by +31.7%, a signal of how local issuer pricing and risk-pool dynamics are trending.
Issuer count is one of the strongest predictors of affordability: with 4 issuers active in Columbus, consumers have meaningful competition to pressure premiums lower. This page is informational only and is not insurance, medical, or tax advice — verify your eligibility, network coverage, and final pricing at HealthCare.gov before enrolling. Source: CMS Marketplace PUF, plan year 2026.
Premiums by Metal Level
Bronze
1 plan$487/mo avg
$487 — $487
Silver
23 plans$687/mo avg
$562 — $826
Gold
16 plans$736/mo avg
$581 — $985
Benchmark Premium & Subsidies
The benchmark premium (2nd-lowest Silver plan) in Columbus is $562/mo for a 27-year-old. This is the amount used to calculate your premium tax credit. If your expected contribution (based on income) is less than the benchmark, you receive a subsidy for the difference. The higher the benchmark, the larger the potential subsidy.
Issuers in market
4
Competitive market
Benchmark Silver
$562 /mo
Sets your subsidy ceiling
Avg deductible
$4,795
Across all metal tiers
Columbus ACA plans by premium and deductible
Each marker is the Columbus average for one metal tier (and the local Bronze low / Silver high extremes where data is available). The dashed line marks the federal out-of-pocket-maximum ceiling.
Source: CMS Marketplace PUF for Columbus, plan year 2026. Bronze = catastrophic-only zone (high deductible). Gold/Platinum = premium-heavy zone (low deductible).
Issuers in Columbus
| Issuer | Plans | Avg Premium (Age 27) |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Cross and Blue Shield of NC | 27 | $612/mo |
| Ambetter of North Carolina | 15 | $539/mo |
| UnitedHealthcare | 13 | $684/mo |
| Cigna Healthcare | 10 | $788/mo |
All Plans in Columbus
| Plan Name | Metal | Type | Premium (27) | Premium (40) | Deductible | OOP Max |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UHC Bronze Essential ($0 Virtual Urgent Care, No Referrals UnitedHealthcare | Bronze | HMO | $486.66 | $593.46 | $10,600 | $10,600 |
| Everyday Bronze Ambetter of North Carolina | Expanded Bronze | HMO | $437.44 | $533.44 | $8,450 | $10,150 |
| Standard Expanded Bronze Ambetter of North Carolina | Expanded Bronze | HMO | $439.14 | $535.51 | $7,500 | $10,000 |
| Blue Value Bronze Basic | 3 Free PCP | $25 Tier 1 Rx | Integrated | Limited Statewide Doctors Blue Cross and Blue Shield of NC | Expanded Bronze | POS | $451.95 | $551.14 | $7,000 | $10,600 |
| Everyday Bronze + Vision + Adult Dental Ambetter of North Carolina | Expanded Bronze | HMO | $452.16 | $551.39 | $8,450 | $10,150 |
| Standard Expanded Bronze + Vision + Adult Dental Ambetter of North Carolina | Expanded Bronze | HMO | $453.91 | $553.53 | $7,500 | $10,000 |
| Blue Value Bronze Standard | Limited Statewide Doctors Blue Cross and Blue Shield of NC | Expanded Bronze | POS | $470.20 | $573.39 | $7,500 | $10,000 |
| Blue Value Bronze Complete | $60 PCP | $20 Tier 1 Rx | Limited Statewide Doctors Blue Cross and Blue Shield of NC | Expanded Bronze | POS | $476.92 | $581.59 | $4,000 | $10,600 |
| Blue Value Bronze HSA Eligible | Integrated | Limited Statewide Doctors Blue Cross and Blue Shield of NC | Expanded Bronze | POS | $489.13 | $596.48 | $8,500 | $8,500 |
| Elite Bronze Ambetter of North Carolina | Expanded Bronze | HMO | $497.03 | $606.12 | $0 | $10,500 |
| Elite Bronze + Vision + Adult Dental Ambetter of North Carolina | Expanded Bronze | HMO | $513.76 | $626.51 | $0 | $10,500 |
| UHC Bronze Standard (No Referrals) UnitedHealthcare | Expanded Bronze | HMO | $514.03 | $626.85 | $7,500 | $10,000 |
| Blue Care Bronze Basic | 3 Free PCP | $25 Tier 1 Rx | Integrated | Statewide Doctors Blue Cross and Blue Shield of NC | Expanded Bronze | HMO | $521.66 | $636.15 | $7,000 | $10,600 |
| UHC Bronze Standard+ Dental + Vision (No Referrals) UnitedHealthcare | Expanded Bronze | HMO | $533.22 | $650.25 | $7,500 | $10,000 |
| UHC Bronze Copay Focus $0 Indiv Med Ded ($0 Virtual Urgent Care, No Referrals) UnitedHealthcare | Expanded Bronze | HMO | $534.49 | $651.79 | $0 | $10,600 |
| Blue Advantage Bronze Basic | 3 Free PCP | $25 Tier 1 Rx | Integrated | Nationwide Doctors Blue Cross and Blue Shield of NC | Expanded Bronze | PPO | $537.73 | $655.74 | $7,000 | $10,600 |
| Blue Care Bronze Standard | Statewide Doctors Blue Cross and Blue Shield of NC | Expanded Bronze | HMO | $543.94 | $663.32 | $7,500 | $10,000 |
| Blue Care Bronze Complete | $60 PCP | $20 Tier 1 Rx | Statewide Doctors Blue Cross and Blue Shield of NC | Expanded Bronze | HMO | $550.22 | $670.98 | $4,000 | $10,600 |
| Blue Advantage Bronze Standard | Nationwide Doctors Blue Cross and Blue Shield of NC | Expanded Bronze | PPO | $559.18 | $681.90 | $7,500 | $10,000 |
| Blue Care Bronze HSA Eligible | Integrated | Statewide Doctors Blue Cross and Blue Shield of NC | Expanded Bronze | HMO | $564.01 | $687.79 | $8,500 | $8,500 |
| Blue Advantage Bronze Complete | $60 PCP | $20 Tier 1 Rx | Nationwide Doctors Blue Cross and Blue Shield of NC | Expanded Bronze | PPO | $567.05 | $691.50 | $4,000 | $10,600 |
| Blue Advantage Bronze HSA Eligible | Integrated | Nationwide Doctors Blue Cross and Blue Shield of NC | Expanded Bronze | PPO | $581.30 | $708.88 | $8,500 | $8,500 |
| Connect Bronze 5500 Indiv Med Deductible Cigna Healthcare | Expanded Bronze | HMO | $655.17 | $798.95 | $5,500 | $10,250 |
| Connect Bronze CMS Standard Cigna Healthcare | Expanded Bronze | HMO | $655.75 | $799.67 | $7,500 | $10,000 |
| Connect Bronze 6500 Indiv Med Deductible Cigna Healthcare | Expanded Bronze | HMO | $658.85 | $803.44 | $6,500 | $9,900 |
| Connect myDiabetesCare Bronze Cigna Healthcare | Expanded Bronze | HMO | $664.36 | $810.16 | $6,000 | $9,900 |
| Clear Silver with $0 Insulin Options Ambetter of North Carolina | Silver | HMO | $562.21 | $685.60 | $7,000 | $7,000 |
| Standard Silver Ambetter of North Carolina | Silver | HMO | $562.39 | $685.82 | $6,000 | $8,900 |
| Enhanced Asthma/COPD Care Silver with $0 Drug Options Ambetter of North Carolina | Silver | HMO | $577.08 | $703.73 | $5,900 | $8,150 |
| Standard Silver + Vision + Adult Dental Ambetter of North Carolina | Silver | HMO | $581.31 | $708.89 | $6,000 | $8,900 |
| Blue Value Silver Preferred | 3 Free PCP | $10 Tier 1 Rx | Integrated | Limited Statewide Doctors Blue Cross and Blue Shield of NC | Silver | POS | $592.50 | $722.53 | $2,800 | $10,600 |
| Enhanced Asthma/COPD Care Silver with $0 Drug Options + Vision + Adult Dental Ambetter of North Carolina | Silver | HMO | $596.50 | $727.41 | $5,900 | $8,150 |
| Blue Value Silver Standard | Limited Statewide Doctors Blue Cross and Blue Shield of NC | Silver | POS | $599.16 | $730.66 | $6,000 | $8,900 |
| Blue Value Silver Choice A | 3 Free PCP | $15 Tier 1 Rx | Limited Statewide Doctors Blue Cross and Blue Shield of NC | Silver | POS | $612.70 | $747.17 | $3,000 | $10,600 |
| Blue Care Silver Preferred | 3 Free PCP | $10 Tier 1 Rx | Integrated | Statewide Doctors Blue Cross and Blue Shield of NC | Silver | HMO | $683.64 | $833.68 | $2,800 | $10,600 |
| Blue Care Silver Standard | Statewide Doctors Blue Cross and Blue Shield of NC | Silver | HMO | $692.86 | $844.92 | $6,000 | $8,900 |
| Blue Advantage Silver Preferred | 3 Free PCP | $10 Tier 1 Rx | Integrated | Nationwide Doctors Blue Cross and Blue Shield of NC | Silver | PPO | $704.65 | $859.30 | $2,800 | $10,600 |
| Blue Care Silver Choice A | 3 Free PCP | $15 Tier 1 Rx | Statewide Doctors Blue Cross and Blue Shield of NC | Silver | HMO | $706.73 | $861.83 | $3,000 | $10,600 |
| UHC Silver Value ($0 Virtual Urgent Care, No Referrals) UnitedHealthcare | Silver | HMO | $709.29 | $864.96 | $3,550 | $10,000 |
| UHC Silver Standard (No Referrals) UnitedHealthcare | Silver | HMO | $710.62 | $866.58 | $6,000 | $8,900 |
| Blue Advantage Silver Standard | Nationwide Doctors Blue Cross and Blue Shield of NC | Silver | PPO | $712.28 | $868.61 | $6,000 | $8,900 |
| UHC Silver Advantage ($0 Virtual Urgent Care, $3 Tier 2 Rx, No Referrals) UnitedHealthcare | Silver | HMO | $719.10 | $876.92 | $2,500 | $10,150 |
| Blue Advantage Silver Choice A | 3 Free PCP | $15 Tier 1 Rx | Nationwide Doctors Blue Cross and Blue Shield of NC | Silver | PPO | $728.43 | $888.30 | $3,000 | $10,600 |
| UHC Silver Value + ($0 Virtual Urgent Care, Dental + Vision, No Referrals) UnitedHealthcare | Silver | HMO | $728.48 | $888.36 | $3,550 | $10,000 |
| UHC Silver Advantage + ($0 Virtual Urgent Care, $3 Tier 2 Rx, Dental + Vision, No Referrals) UnitedHealthcare | Silver | HMO | $738.29 | $900.32 | $2,500 | $10,150 |
| Connect Silver 5000 Indiv Med Deductible Cigna Healthcare | Silver | HMO | $815.35 | $994.30 | $5,000 | $8,850 |
| Connect Silver 3600 Indiv Med Deductible Cigna Healthcare | Silver | HMO | $816.91 | $996.19 | $3,600 | $9,150 |
| Connect Silver CMS Standard Cigna Healthcare | Silver | HMO | $817.20 | $996.55 | $6,000 | $8,900 |
| Connect myDiabetesCare Silver Cigna Healthcare | Silver | HMO | $826.48 | $1,007.87 | $4,300 | $9,200 |
| Standard Gold Ambetter of North Carolina | Gold | HMO | $581.38 | $708.98 | $2,000 | $8,200 |
| Standard Gold + Vision + Adult Dental Ambetter of North Carolina | Gold | HMO | $600.94 | $732.83 | $2,000 | $8,200 |
| Complete Gold Ambetter of North Carolina | Gold | HMO | $607.79 | $741.18 | $1,450 | $7,500 |
| Blue Value Gold Premier A | 3 Free PCP | $10 Tier 1 Rx | Limited Statewide Doctors Blue Cross and Blue Shield of NC | Gold | POS | $622.24 | $758.80 | $1,800 | $10,600 |
| Complete Gold + Vision + Adult Dental Ambetter of North Carolina | Gold | HMO | $628.24 | $766.12 | $1,450 | $7,500 |
| Blue Value Gold Standard A | Limited Statewide Doctors Blue Cross and Blue Shield of NC | Gold | POS | $628.63 | $766.60 | $2,000 | $8,200 |
| Blue Care Gold Premier A | 3 Free PCP | $10 Tier 1 Rx | Statewide Doctors Blue Cross and Blue Shield of NC | Gold | HMO | $717.42 | $874.87 | $1,800 | $10,600 |
| Blue Care Gold Standard A | Statewide Doctors Blue Cross and Blue Shield of NC | Gold | HMO | $726.40 | $885.82 | $2,000 | $8,200 |
| Blue Advantage Gold Premier A | 3 Free PCP | $10 Tier 1 Rx | Nationwide Doctors Blue Cross and Blue Shield of NC | Gold | PPO | $739.46 | $901.74 | $1,800 | $10,600 |
| Blue Advantage Gold Standard A | Nationwide Doctors Blue Cross and Blue Shield of NC | Gold | PPO | $746.82 | $910.72 | $2,000 | $8,200 |
| UHC Gold Copay Focus $0 Indiv Med Ded ($0 Virtual Urgent Care, No Referrals) UnitedHealthcare | Gold | HMO | $786.63 | $959.26 | $0 | $10,600 |
| UHC Gold Standard (No Referrals) UnitedHealthcare | Gold | HMO | $790.60 | $964.12 | $2,000 | $8,200 |
| UHC Gold Advantage ($0 Virtual Urgent Care, $1 Tier 2 Rx, No Referrals) UnitedHealthcare | Gold | HMO | $809.45 | $987.09 | $750 | $9,200 |
| UHC Gold Advantage + ($0 Virtual Urgent Care, $1 Tier 2 Rx, Dental + Vision, No Referrals) UnitedHealthcare | Gold | HMO | $828.63 | $1,010.49 | $750 | $9,200 |
| Connect Gold CMS Standard Cigna Healthcare | Gold | HMO | $983.38 | $1,199.20 | $2,000 | $8,200 |
| Connect Gold 1500 Indiv Med Deductible Cigna Healthcare | Gold | HMO | $985.03 | $1,201.20 | $1,500 | $9,950 |
Silver Premium Trend (2022-2026)
| Year | Avg Premium | Min | Max | Plans | Issuers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $491/mo | $440 | $885 | 24 | 4 |
| 2023 | $552/mo | $475 | $847 | 31 | 4 |
| 2024 | $536/mo | $439 | $914 | 30 | 5 |
| 2025 | $564/mo | $451 | $979 | 22 | 5 |
| 2026 | $687/mo | $562 | $826 | 23 | 4 |
Health Insurance Guides
Choosing a Metal Level
Bronze vs Silver vs Gold vs Platinum — which tier fits your needs and budget
Understanding ACA Subsidies
How premium tax credits work and how to estimate your subsidy amount
Related Health & Cost Data
Find Doctors
PlainDoctor — Healthcare providers in North Carolina
Hospital Quality Ratings
PlainHospital — CMS star ratings and safety scores
Medicare Plans
PlainMedicare — Medicare Advantage and Part D data
Community Health Data
PlainHealth — CDC community health indicators
Health Access Metrics
PlainHealthAccess — Uninsured rates and provider shortages
Cost of Living
PlainCost — BEA regional price parities
Homeowners Insurance
PlainInsure — Treasury FIO premiums
Frequently Asked Questions
How many ACA plans are available in Columbus, NC?
There are 65 ACA marketplace plans available in Columbus from 4 insurance issuers for plan year 2026.
What is the cheapest health insurance plan in Columbus?
The lowest-premium plan in Columbus starts at $487/mo (Bronze tier, age 27). Silver plans start at $562/mo. Actual premiums vary by age and may be reduced by premium tax credits.
What is the benchmark premium for Columbus?
The benchmark (second-lowest Silver) premium in Columbus is $562/mo for a 27-year-old. This amount determines how much premium tax credit subsidy you may be eligible for.
How have premiums changed in Columbus?
Average premiums in Columbus changed by +31.7% year-over-year. Premium trends are tracked from 2022 to 2026 across all metal levels.
What is the average deductible and out-of-pocket maximum in Columbus?
The average annual deductible across all plans in Columbus is $4,795, and the average out-of-pocket maximum is $9,562. Bronze plans generally have higher deductibles but lower premiums, while Gold and Platinum plans have lower deductibles but higher monthly costs.
Which insurance companies offer plans in Columbus?
There are 4 insurance issuers offering ACA marketplace plans in Columbus, including Blue Cross and Blue Shield of NC, Ambetter of North Carolina, UnitedHealthcare, and others. Competition among issuers affects plan variety and pricing. More issuers generally mean more choices and potentially lower premiums.
Disclaimer: This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute insurance or financial advice. Premiums shown are for a 27-year-old non-tobacco user unless otherwise noted. Your actual premium depends on age, location, tobacco use, and subsidy eligibility. Visit HealthCare.gov for official enrollment. Source: CMS Marketplace PUF, PY2026.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
All federal data sources used on this page
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS — demographic + housing + income data. census.gov/programs-surveys/acs
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — wage + employment by occupation. bls.gov/oes
- BEA Regional Economic Accounts — GDP + personal income by state/metro. bea.gov/data/regional
- U.S. Census Bureau County Business Patterns — establishment + employment by industry. census.gov/cbp
- IRS Statistics of Income (SOI) — tax-return aggregate data. irs.gov/statistics
- data.gov — U.S. federal open-data portal — discovery layer for additional federal sources. data.gov
Related
Data sourced from official U.S. government datasets. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainHealthPlan Editorial
