ACA plans available
31
Plan year 2026
2026 data Public-data reference. official source
Durham, North Carolina Health Insurance
Open-data reference.
31 ACA plans from 3 issuers - Plan year 2026
Durham, North Carolina offers 31 ACA marketplace plans from 3 issuers for plan year 2026. Silver plans start at $494/mo (age 27, before subsidies). Use the tables below to compare premiums, deductibles, and issuers across all metal tiers.
$600
Avg Silver Premium/mo
$500
Benchmark Premium/mo
+13.2%
Year-over-Year Change
$5,076
Avg Deductible
What the Numbers Say About Durham
Durham, North Carolina has 31 ACA marketplace plans offered by 3 issuers for plan year 2026. The average Silver-tier premium comes in at $600/mo for a 27-year-old non-tobacco user, with the lowest Silver at $494 and the highest at $819.
The benchmark (second-lowest Silver) premium is $500/mo, the figure used to calculate your Advance Premium Tax Credit (the federal subsidy). Enrollees whose expected income-based contribution falls below this amount receive a subsidy for the difference. Across all plans, the average annual deductible is $5,076 and the average out-of-pocket maximum is $9,282 - numbers that matter more than the sticker premium once you actually use care. Year-over-year, average premiums in Durham shifted by +13.2%, a signal of how local issuer pricing and risk-pool dynamics are trending.
Issuer count is one of the strongest predictors of affordability: with 3 issuers active in Durham, consumers have some competitive choice, though narrower than the most competitive counties. HMO is the most common network type in Durham, with EPO rounding out the alternatives. 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
Silver
11 plans$600/mo avg
$494 - $819
Gold
7 plans$606/mo avg
$519 - $983
Benchmark Premium & Subsidies
The benchmark premium (2nd-lowest Silver plan) in Durham is $500/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
3
Some competition
Benchmark Silver
$500 /mo
Sets your subsidy ceiling
Avg deductible
$5,076
Across all metal tiers
Durham ACA plans by premium and deductible
Each marker is the Durham average for one metal tier, monthly premium (age 27) plotted against the average annual deductible, both computed directly from this county's plans. The classic ACA tradeoff is visible: lower-premium Bronze tiers carry the highest deductibles, while Gold and Platinum invert it.
Source: CMS Marketplace Public Use Files for Durham, plan year 2026. Each point is the county average for one metal tier (premium age 27 vs average annual deductible).
Issuers in Durham
| Issuer | Plans | Avg Premium (Age 27) |
|---|---|---|
| Ambetter of North Carolina | 15 | $495/mo |
| Blue Cross and Blue Shield of NC | 9 | $458/mo |
| Cigna Healthcare | 7 | $773/mo |
All Plans in Durham
| Plan Name | Metal | Type | Premium (27) | Premium (40) | Deductible | OOP Max |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Home Bronze Basic | 3 Free PCP | $25 Tier 1 Rx | Integrated | with UNC Health Alliance Blue Cross and Blue Shield of NC | Expanded Bronze | EPO | $377.15 | $459.93 | $7,000 | $10,600 |
| Blue Home Bronze Standard | with UNC Health Alliance Blue Cross and Blue Shield of NC | Expanded Bronze | EPO | $392.35 | $478.46 | $7,500 | $10,000 |
| Blue Home Bronze Complete | $60 PCP | $20 Tier 1 Rx | with UNC Health Alliance Blue Cross and Blue Shield of NC | Expanded Bronze | EPO | $397.62 | $484.89 | $4,000 | $10,600 |
| Everyday Bronze Ambetter of North Carolina | Expanded Bronze | HMO | $401.18 | $489.22 | $8,450 | $10,150 |
| Standard Expanded Bronze Ambetter of North Carolina | Expanded Bronze | HMO | $402.73 | $491.12 | $7,500 | $10,000 |
| Blue Home Bronze HSA Eligible | Integrated | with UNC Health Alliance Blue Cross and Blue Shield of NC | Expanded Bronze | EPO | $407.89 | $497.41 | $8,500 | $8,500 |
| Everyday Bronze + Vision + Adult Dental Ambetter of North Carolina | Expanded Bronze | HMO | $414.68 | $505.68 | $8,450 | $10,150 |
| Standard Expanded Bronze + Vision + Adult Dental Ambetter of North Carolina | Expanded Bronze | HMO | $416.28 | $507.64 | $7,500 | $10,000 |
| Elite Bronze Ambetter of North Carolina | Expanded Bronze | HMO | $455.83 | $555.87 | $0 | $10,500 |
| Elite Bronze + Vision + Adult Dental Ambetter of North Carolina | Expanded Bronze | HMO | $471.17 | $574.57 | $0 | $10,500 |
| Connect Bronze RD 6000 Indiv Med Deductible Cigna Healthcare | Expanded Bronze | HMO | $654.44 | $798.07 | $6,000 | $10,300 |
| Connect Bronze RD CMS Standard Cigna Healthcare | Expanded Bronze | HMO | $655.70 | $799.61 | $7,500 | $10,000 |
| Connect Bronze RD 5000 Indiv Med Deductible Cigna Healthcare | Expanded Bronze | HMO | $667.02 | $813.41 | $5,000 | $9,700 |
| Blue Home Silver Preferred | 3 Free PCP | $10 Tier 1 Rx | Integrated | with UNC Health Alliance Blue Cross and Blue Shield of NC | Silver | EPO | $494.39 | $602.90 | $2,800 | $10,600 |
| Blue Home Silver Standard | with UNC Health Alliance Blue Cross and Blue Shield of NC | Silver | EPO | $499.85 | $609.55 | $6,000 | $8,900 |
| Blue Home Silver Choice A | 3 Free PCP | $15 Tier 1 Rx | with UNC Health Alliance Blue Cross and Blue Shield of NC | Silver | EPO | $511.03 | $623.18 | $3,000 | $10,600 |
| Clear Silver with $0 Insulin Options Ambetter of North Carolina | Silver | HMO | $515.61 | $628.76 | $7,000 | $7,000 |
| Standard Silver Ambetter of North Carolina | Silver | HMO | $515.77 | $628.96 | $6,000 | $8,900 |
| Enhanced Asthma/COPD Care Silver with $0 Drug Options Ambetter of North Carolina | Silver | HMO | $529.24 | $645.39 | $5,900 | $8,150 |
| Standard Silver + Vision + Adult Dental Ambetter of North Carolina | Silver | HMO | $533.12 | $650.12 | $6,000 | $8,900 |
| Enhanced Asthma/COPD Care Silver with $0 Drug Options + Vision + Adult Dental Ambetter of North Carolina | Silver | HMO | $547.05 | $667.11 | $5,900 | $8,150 |
| Connect Silver RD 5000 Indiv Med Deductible Cigna Healthcare | Silver | HMO | $812.97 | $991.38 | $5,000 | $9,250 |
| Connect Silver RD CMS Standard Cigna Healthcare | Silver | HMO | $817.13 | $996.46 | $6,000 | $8,900 |
| Connect Silver RD 3500 Indiv Med Deductible Cigna Healthcare | Silver | HMO | $819.45 | $999.29 | $3,500 | $9,000 |
| Blue Home Gold Premier A | 3 Free PCP | $10 Tier 1 Rx | with UNC Health Alliance Blue Cross and Blue Shield of NC | Gold | EPO | $518.77 | $632.62 | $1,800 | $10,600 |
| Blue Home Gold Standard A | with UNC Health Alliance Blue Cross and Blue Shield of NC | Gold | EPO | $524.04 | $639.05 | $2,000 | $8,200 |
| Standard Gold Ambetter of North Carolina | Gold | HMO | $533.19 | $650.20 | $2,000 | $8,200 |
| Standard Gold + Vision + Adult Dental Ambetter of North Carolina | Gold | HMO | $551.13 | $672.08 | $2,000 | $8,200 |
| Complete Gold Ambetter of North Carolina | Gold | HMO | $557.41 | $679.74 | $1,450 | $7,500 |
| Complete Gold + Vision + Adult Dental Ambetter of North Carolina | Gold | HMO | $576.16 | $702.61 | $1,450 | $7,500 |
| Connect Gold RD CMS Standard Cigna Healthcare | Gold | HMO | $983.31 | $1,199.11 | $2,000 | $8,200 |
Silver Premium Trend (2022-2026)
| Year | Avg Premium | Min | Max | Plans | Issuers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $465/mo | $375 | $851 | 28 | 6 |
| 2023 | $493/mo | $402 | $851 | 28 | 5 |
| 2024 | $505/mo | $390 | $925 | 25 | 5 |
| 2025 | $546/mo | $400 | $981 | 18 | 5 |
| 2026 | $600/mo | $494 | $819 | 11 | 3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many ACA plans are available in Durham, NC?
There are 31 ACA marketplace plans available in Durham from 3 insurance issuers for plan year 2026.
What is the cheapest health insurance plan in Durham?
Silver plans in Durham start at $494/mo (age 27). Actual premiums vary by age and may be reduced by premium tax credits.
What is the benchmark premium for Durham?
The benchmark (second-lowest Silver) premium in Durham is $500/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 Durham?
Average premiums in Durham changed by +13.2% 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 Durham?
The average annual deductible across all plans in Durham is $5,076, and the average out-of-pocket maximum is $9,282. 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 Durham?
There are 3 insurance issuers offering ACA marketplace plans in Durham, including Ambetter of North Carolina, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of NC, Cigna Healthcare. 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.
Counties With a Similar Benchmark Premium
The closest counties nationwide to Durham, NC's $500/mo benchmark premium.
Data sources
Data sourced from the CMS Health Insurance Marketplace Public Use Files. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainHealthPlan Editorial
