Obamacare health insurance help in North Carolina
We help you choose and enroll in a Health Insurance Marketplace plan, in English or Spanish, at no extra cost to you.
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What is Obamacare, and who qualifies?
Obamacare is the popular name for the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Through the Health Insurance Marketplace, people and families who don't get insurance through work can buy a health plan and, depending on their income and household size, get help paying for it. In North Carolina, the Marketplace runs through HealthCare.gov.
Who can enroll depends on several things: your income, who lives in your household, whether your job offers coverage that meets the requirements, and other conditions. We verify your eligibility with you before we start.
2027 Open Enrollment: the dates
- November 1, 2026: enrollment opens for 2027 coverage.
- December 15: last day to enroll or change plans for coverage starting January 1.
- January 15, 2027: Open Enrollment ends.
Outside those dates, you can only enroll if you have a qualifying life event, such as losing coverage, getting married, having a baby or moving. If that happened to you, call us and we'll review it.
Source: HealthCare.gov, "When can you get health insurance?"
Subsidies: how to find out if you qualify
Help paying your monthly premium (the premium tax credit) depends on the income you estimate for the year, your household size and the plans available in your county. That's why nobody can tell you in advance how much you'll get: it has to be calculated with your information. We do that with you, with no obligation, before you choose a plan.
If your income changes during the year, tell the Marketplace. Your subsidy adjusts, and a big difference between what you estimated and what you earned can affect your tax return.
What documents do you need?
Have this ready for each person applying for coverage:
- Home and mailing addresses
- Dates of birth and Social Security numbers
- How you'll file your taxes (single, married, with dependents)
- Job and income information for everyone in the household: pay stubs, W-2 forms or your latest tax return
- Your best estimate of household income for 2027
- Information about any health coverage you have now, and whether your job offers coverage
- The HRA notice, if your employer offers one
Questions about who in your household can enroll? We verify your eligibility with you.
Source: HealthCare.gov application checklist.
How do we help?
- Licensed, bilingual agents who explain each plan without rushing you.
- No extra cost to you for our help.
- We compare the plans in your county and check that your doctors and medications are covered.
- We enroll you together, by phone, by WhatsApp or at any of our three offices.
- We review your renewal every year, so you don't end up in a plan that no longer fits without noticing.
Looking for other coverage? See our health insurance page and life insurance to protect your family.
Frequently asked questions
How much does your enrollment help cost?
Our help comes at no extra cost to you. We explain the plans, check your doctors and complete the application with you.
Can I enroll after January 15?
Only if you have a qualifying life event, such as losing coverage, getting married, having a baby or moving. You generally have 60 days after the event to enroll. Call us and we'll review your situation.
When does my coverage start?
If you enroll by December 15, coverage starts January 1. If you enroll between December 16 and January 15, it starts February 1.
How do I know if I qualify for a subsidy?
It depends on your estimated income for the year, your household size and the plans in your county. We run the numbers with your information before you choose a plan.
Do I have to renew my plan every year?
It's worth reviewing every year. If you do nothing you may be re-enrolled automatically, but the price, your subsidy and the plan's doctors can change. We review it with you during Open Enrollment.
What if my income changes during the year?
Tell the Marketplace as soon as possible. Your subsidy adjusts to your new income, which helps you avoid surprises on your tax return. We'll help you report the change.
Can I keep my doctors?
It depends on each plan's network. Before you choose, we check with you whether your doctors, clinics and medications are covered.
Visit any of our offices
- Lincolnton — 1442 N Aspen St, Lincolnton, NC
- Winston-Salem — 2120 Old Lexington Road, Winston-Salem, NC
- Clinton — 201-C Northeast Boulevard, Clinton, NC
We offer assistance with Health Insurance Marketplace (ACA) plans. Notice: this website is operated by L&L Insurance Agency Inc and is not the Health Insurance Marketplace® website (HealthCare.gov).