Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Your Trusted Health Insurance Partner in North Carolina
NC HealthPlans has been a trusted leader in North Carolina's health insurance market since 1974. Founded by Jerry Ballard and now led by Managing Principal Kennon Wainwright, our agency combines decades of industry expertise with cutting-edge technology to deliver personalized insurance solutions. As an award-winning Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina partner, we specialize in Medicare Supplement plans, individual and family health insurance, dental coverage, and short-term policies. Our team of licensed advisors, including Senior Insurance Advisor Kristen Baily and Customer Service Manager Savannah Bailey, holds certifications through the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and maintains a 98% client satisfaction rate.With three consecutive years in the CMS Marketplace Circle of Champions Elite Plus tier, we leverage our deep understanding of evolving regulations to help clients navigate complex insurance decisions. Our commitment to excellence is demonstrated through guaranteed acceptance policies, flexible plan options, and 24/7 online tools for claims management and policy adjustments. We maintain physical offices in Morehead City while serving clients statewide through both in-person consultations and digital platforms.
Services
Medicare Plans
Dental Insurance
Short-Term Coverage
Individual Health Plans
Family Insurance
Group Health Plans
Student Health Insurance
Temporary Insurance
Term Life Quotes
Marketplace Assistance
Details
- Year established: 1974
Highlights and features
- We offer a variety of health insurance plans tailored to meet diverse needs
- Our agency has received Blue Cross NC President's Club Status for excellence
- We provide online tools for easy application and claims management
- Award-winning team with over 50 years of combined insurance experience
- Recognized by CMS as a top-performing agent in the Marketplace Circle of Champions
What people say
Knowledgeable and compassionate staff
Exemplary service
Dedicated and professional
Helped set up Medicare plan
Guidance through full process
Services
Medicare Supplement
Our Medicare Supplement plans provide comprehensive coverage for costs not covered by Original Medicare Parts A and B. With options starting at $36.50 monthly, these plans offer nationwide provider access, guaranteed acceptance during enrollment periods, and flexible plan changes without medical exams. We help North Carolina seniors navigate Medicare complexities through personalized consultations and online resources.
Dental Insurance
We offer comprehensive dental insurance plans covering routine checkups, preventive care, and major procedures like extractions and dentures. Our plans allow unrestricted dentist choice with online quote tools and instant approval. North Carolina residents can apply digitally and receive coverage as soon as the next eligibility date through our streamlined enrollment process.
Short-Term Health Insurance
Our short-term health insurance provides affordable bridge coverage for North Carolinians between jobs or transitioning from parental plans. With terms from 1-3 months, these plans offer same-day coverage options through our online platform. We assist clients in selecting appropriate temporary coverage while they secure permanent insurance solutions.
Individual & Family Health Plans
We provide customizable health insurance solutions for individuals and families with network options including Blue Advantage, Blue Value, and Blue Local plans. Our advisors help North Carolina residents compare plans based on provider networks, costs, and coverage needs while offering online tools for application and policy management.
Marketplace Assistance
As CMS-certified specialists, we guide clients through Health Insurance Marketplace enrollment with personalized plan comparisons and subsidy eligibility assessments. Our team helps North Carolina residents navigate ACA-compliant plans through both digital tools and one-on-one consultations, ensuring proper coverage selection based on individual circumstances.
People
Jerry Ballard
Founder
Jerry Ballard established NC HealthPlans in 1974 and built it into a leading Blue Cross NC agency. With over 50 years in insurance, he pioneered combining personal service with digital solutions to better serve North Carolina residents.
Cathy Ballard
Co-Founder
Cathy Ballard partnered with Jerry to expand the agency's reach through technology while maintaining personalized service. Her leadership helped establish the agency's reputation for trustworthy insurance guidance across North Carolina.
Kennon Wainwright
Managing Principal
As Managing Principal since 2021, Kennon Wainwright oversees daily operations with 12 years of insurance experience. A UNC-Chapel Hill graduate, he focuses on combining technology with personalized Medicare and health insurance solutions.
Kristen Baily
Senior Insurance Advisor
Kristen Baily, a CMS-certified specialist since 2014, manages customer service while advising clients on health and Medicare plans. With NC State University credentials, she combines technical expertise with personalized guidance for North Carolina residents.
Savannah Bailey
Insurance Advisor
Savannah Bailey specializes in senior Medicare transitions with 6 years of experience. A UNC Wilmington graduate, she simplifies complex insurance systems for clients while maintaining certification through federal CMS programs.
Questions
What health insurance plans do you offer?
We offer Medicare Supplement plans, individual and family health insurance, dental coverage, short-term policies, and group plans through Blue Cross NC.
Are subsidies available for health insurance?
Yes, federal subsidies are available for qualified individuals based on income and household size through the Health Insurance Marketplace.
How can I apply for insurance?
Apply online through our secure portal or contact our Morehead City office at 888-765-5400 for personalized assistance with plan selection and enrollment.
What sets your agency apart?
We combine 50+ years of experience with digital tools, holding Blue Cross NC President's Club status and CMS Circle of Champions recognition since 2018.
Do you offer group health insurance?
Yes, we provide group health insurance solutions for employers across North Carolina, with customized plans to meet business needs.
What areas do you serve?
We serve all North Carolina residents from our Morehead City headquarters, providing both local and statewide insurance solutions.
Reviews (4)
Sharon Wetmore
Jun 17, 2022
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DON'T GO WITH THIS COMPANY. THEY HAVE MY INSURANCE All MESSED UP. Very very very poor service and they want me to contact the people to correct it which is not even Ballard for the mistakes Ballard made. Requested to speak with manager of this office and was told they didn't know when he would be available. Horrible service and no compassion at all.
Denise Acconzo
May 25, 2022
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I have to say every everyone at Jerry Ballard insurance agency deserves five stars. Since my first initiated call back in December I've had nothing but great experience from Ken to Kristen Bailey and to Emily who has helped me through any of my questions that I had regarding health insurance they are a wonderful staff they go up and beyond and they're always friendly they are very knowledgeable and truly our customer service oriented. Thank you to the staff of Jeff Ballard for helping me out and continuing on servicing my health insurance.
Andreina Rodriguez Anzola
Jan 24, 2022
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Emily McLaurin is a very nice and patient person. Very responsable in her appointmentswith me and my fily over the phone. It was very nice to have someone so patient and nice helping me as a client. Very recommended if you need it.
Georgia Taylor
May 10, 2021
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Emily was extremely helpful in my re-enrollment in the Market Place health insurance. Prior to Emily, Kristen was equally as helpful with my annual Market Place enrollment. They are both highly skilled and knowledgeable with the Market Place website and application process, as well as plan eligibility. They were both always patient with my questions and not once did they not have the right answer to my question!
I appreciate Jerry Ballard and the team there very much, as they expertly walked me through the Market Place application process which we all know can be tricky and is definitely cumbersome. Thank you Emily for the great length of time you so patiently spent with me recently to get me re-enrolled in order to qualify for increased benefits which has helped me immensely!
I appreciate Jerry Ballard and the team there very much, as they expertly walked me through the Market Place application process which we all know can be tricky and is definitely cumbersome. Thank you Emily for the great length of time you so patiently spent with me recently to get me re-enrolled in order to qualify for increased benefits which has helped me immensely!
