Onslow County is in the coast and Outer Banks, which run from Wilmington and Jacksonville to Morehead City, Ocracoke and Kitty Hawk, with about 212,954 residents (Census 2024 estimate). Its largest towns are Jacksonville, Holly Ridge and Swansboro.
Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, Naval Medical Center Camp Lejeune and Marine Corps Air Station New River are here, so many military retirees nearby combine Medicare with TRICARE For Life.
2027 plans in Onslow County at a glance
What it means if you live in Onslow County
- That's 1 plan fewer than in 2026 (15). If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, check your Annual Notice of Change to see whether it continues and what changes. UnitedHealthcare ends some Medicare Advantage plans here while keeping others; at least 26 people in Onslow County are in one of those plans. Your plan's letter says whether yours is ending; here is what to do. (CMS data)
- 6 are HMOs (you generally use the plan's network) and 8 are PPOs (which also pay out-of-network doctors, usually at a higher cost to you).
- 6 plans have no Part D drug coverage. Those suit people who get drug coverage elsewhere, such as from the VA; otherwise you could owe a late-enrollment penalty for going without it.
- Special needs plans here: 6 for people with both Medicare and NC Medicaid; 1 for people with certain chronic conditions, such as diabetes or heart failure. You can join one only if you qualify.
- Onslow County ranks 98th of North Carolina's 100 counties for plans open to everyone. In the Coast and Outer Banks region (9 counties), the count runs from 11 to 38.
- At least 14,825 people in Onslow County were in a Medicare Advantage plan in October 2026.
Licensed insurance agents for Onslow County
These independent insurance agents are licensed in North Carolina and work with Benefits Life, the publisher of this site. When they enroll you in a plan, the agent and Benefits Life may be paid by the insurance company. Learn more.
See Medicare plans in Onslow County
Enter your ZIP code to compare Medicare Advantage, Part D, and Medigap plans available where you live.
You'll go to PlanMatchMedicare.com, a plan comparison site from Benefits Life, the publisher of this site. Only your ZIP code is sent.
Original Medicare and Medigap
If you'd rather keep any doctor who takes Medicare, Original Medicare with a Medigap policy and a Part D plan works the same in every North Carolina county. Medigap in North Carolina.
Nearby counties
You can only join a Medicare Advantage plan sold in the county where you live.
| County | Plans open to everyone, 2027 | Special needs plans |
|---|---|---|
| Jones County | 27 | 15 |
| Duplin County | 30 | 18 |
| Pender County | 38 | 26 |
| Lenoir County | 24 | 17 |
All 100 North Carolina counties.
2026 Medicare costs (the same in every county)
| Cost | 2026 |
|---|---|
| Part B premium | $202.90 a month (standard) |
| Part B deductible | $283 a year |
| Part A deductible | $1,736 per benefit period |
| Part D out-of-pocket cap | $2,100 a year |
Other places to get answers
- Medicare: 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227), TTY 1-877-486-2048, 24 hours a day, or Medicare.gov.
- Social Security (signing up for Parts A and B, Extra Help): 1-800-772-1213, TTY 1-800-325-0778.
- NC Medicaid (NCDHHS: NC Medicaid, including the Medicare Savings Programs, called MQB in North Carolina; apply at your county Department of Social Services or online through ePASS): medicaid.ncdhhs.gov, NC Medicaid Contact Center 1-888-245-0179. NC Medicaid and Medicare.
- NC Division of Aging (NCDHHS: your area agency on aging, in-home help and caregiver support): ncdhhs.gov/divisions/aging.
- NC Department of Insurance (complaints about an insurance company or agent): file a complaint online.
- More North Carolina contacts, from appeals to fraud reporting: North Carolina Medicare contacts.
Questions about Medicare in Onslow County
How many Medicare Advantage plans are there in Onslow County for 2027?
CMS lists 14 open to everyone with Medicare (15 in 2026), plus 7 special needs plans for people who qualify. You still pay your Part B premium.
When can I change my Medicare plan in Onslow County?
Open Enrollment runs October 15 to December 7, for coverage starting January 1. If you're in a Medicare Advantage plan, you can switch plans or go back to Original Medicare once between January 1 and March 31. If your plan leaves your county, you get a Special Enrollment Period.
How do I find a licensed insurance agent in Onslow County?
Use the agent search on this page, pick one agent and request a call, to compare plans with a licensed insurance agent at no cost to you. Agents listed here are licensed in North Carolina.
Sources
Plans open to everyone are Medicare Advantage plans with or without drug coverage, not special needs plans. Enrollment counts HMO and PPO plans; CMS hides counts of 10 or fewer, so real numbers are a little higher.