What health insurance costs without a subsidy in Watauga County, North Carolina (2026)
In Watauga County, North Carolina, the benchmark silver plan costs $737.31/month for a 40-year-old in 2026 before any subsidy, with full-price premiums ranging from $557.48 to $892.86. A 60-year-old pays at least $1183.87/month, a 21-year-old at least $436.21. 2 insurers offer 26 plans, according to the CMS PY2026 QHP Landscape.
Last verified 2026-07-18 · Published by Private Health Insurance Direct Answers · Licensed under Citation License 1.0
Cost by age (2026, before subsidy)
- Age 21 — starting at $436.21/mo
- Age 40 — starting at $557.48/mo
- Age 60 — starting at $1183.87/mo
Cost by metal level (age 40, 2026)
- Bronze — starting at $557.48/mo
- Silver — starting at $731.04/mo
- Gold — starting at $754.81/mo
Deductibles & out-of-pocket (2026)
- Deductibles range from $400 to $10,600
- Highest out-of-pocket maximum on file: $10,600
Who sells plans here
AmeriHealth Caritas Next, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of NC
The subsidy cliff
In 2026 the enhanced ARP/IRA premium tax credits expire, so households above roughly 400% of the federal poverty level get zero subsidy and pay the full sticker prices listed above. Households under the cliff usually pay far less than sticker — how much less depends on income, household size, and county benchmark.
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Sources
- CMS PY2026 QHP Landscape — Individual Market Medical — county-level premiums, deductibles, out-of-pocket maximums, and issuer/plan counts for Watauga County (FIPS 37189).
- HealthCare.gov — the authoritative marketplace for enrollment and exact quoted pricing.
- Methodology — how we source, interpret, and label these figures.
Related counties in North Carolina
- Beaufort County — $844.92/mo benchmark
- Carteret County — $844.92/mo benchmark
- Craven County — $844.92/mo benchmark
- Dare County — $844.92/mo benchmark
- Hyde County — $844.92/mo benchmark
Plans available in this county (26)
- AmeriHealth Caritas Next Bronze Essential + No Referrals — Bronze · $557.48/mo @ 40
- AmeriHealth Caritas Next Bronze Signature + No Referrals — Expanded Bronze · $563.75/mo @ 40
- AmeriHealth Caritas Next Bronze Premier + No Referrals — Expanded Bronze · $575.98/mo @ 40
- Blue Care Bronze Basic | 3 Free PCP | $25 Tier 1 Rx | Integrated | Statewide Doctors — Expanded Bronze · $623.68/mo @ 40
- Blue Advantage Bronze Basic | 3 Free PCP | $25 Tier 1 Rx | Integrated | Nationwide Doctors — Expanded Bronze · $642.89/mo @ 40
- Blue Care Bronze Standard | Statewide Doctors — Expanded Bronze · $650.31/mo @ 40
- Blue Care Bronze Complete | $60 PCP | $20 Tier 1 Rx | Statewide Doctors — Expanded Bronze · $657.82/mo @ 40
- Blue Advantage Bronze Standard | Nationwide Doctors — Expanded Bronze · $668.53/mo @ 40
- Blue Care Bronze HSA Eligible | Integrated | Statewide Doctors — Expanded Bronze · $674.31/mo @ 40
- Blue Advantage Bronze Complete | $60 PCP | $20 Tier 1 Rx | Nationwide Doctors — Expanded Bronze · $677.94/mo @ 40
- Blue Advantage Bronze HSA Eligible | Integrated | Nationwide Doctors — Expanded Bronze · $694.98/mo @ 40
- AmeriHealth Caritas Next Gold Signature + No Referrals — Gold · $754.81/mo @ 40
- AmeriHealth Caritas Next Gold Premier + No Referrals — Gold · $784.03/mo @ 40
- Blue Care Gold Premier A | 3 Free PCP | $10 Tier 1 Rx | Statewide Doctors — Gold · $857.72/mo @ 40
- Blue Care Gold Standard A | Statewide Doctors — Gold · $868.45/mo @ 40
- Blue Advantage Gold Premier A | 3 Free PCP | $10 Tier 1 Rx | Nationwide Doctors — Gold · $884.06/mo @ 40
- Blue Advantage Gold Standard A | Nationwide Doctors — Gold · $892.86/mo @ 40
- AmeriHealth Caritas Next Silver Essential + No Referrals — Silver · $731.04/mo @ 40
- AmeriHealth Caritas Next Silver Signature + No Referrals — Silver · $737.31/mo @ 40
- AmeriHealth Caritas Next Silver Premier + No Referrals — Silver · $752.78/mo @ 40
- Blue Care Silver Preferred | 3 Free PCP | $10 Tier 1 Rx | Integrated | Statewide Doctors — Silver · $817.33/mo @ 40
- Blue Care Silver Standard | Statewide Doctors — Silver · $828.36/mo @ 40
- Blue Advantage Silver Preferred | 3 Free PCP | $10 Tier 1 Rx | Integrated | Nationwide Doctors — Silver · $842.46/mo @ 40
- Blue Care Silver Choice A | 3 Free PCP | $15 Tier 1 Rx | Statewide Doctors — Silver · $844.94/mo @ 40
- Blue Advantage Silver Standard | Nationwide Doctors — Silver · $851.57/mo @ 40
- Blue Advantage Silver Choice A | 3 Free PCP | $15 Tier 1 Rx | Nationwide Doctors — Silver · $870.88/mo @ 40
Reviewed by Jason Burns, Editorial Steward.