Healthcare spending, insurance rates, and estimated procedure costs in North Carolina (NC). Per-capita spending is 10% below the national average.
Estimates based on North Carolina's cost index of 0.96x applied to national average procedure prices. Insured costs assume typical in-network copay/coinsurance at roughly 35% of the full price. Actual costs depend on provider, facility type, and insurance plan.
| Procedure | Estimated Cost | With Insurance | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Doctor Office Visit | $240 | $84 | $250 |
| Emergency Room Visit | $2,112 | $739 | $2,200 |
| MRI Scan | $1,272 | $445 | $1,325 |
| CT Scan | $792 | $277 | $825 |
| Childbirth (Vaginal) | $12,960 | $4,536 | $13,500 |
| Childbirth (C-Section) | $21,600 | $7,560 | $22,500 |
| Knee Replacement | $33,600 | $11,760 | $35,000 |
| Hip Replacement | $36,480 | $12,768 | $38,000 |
| Appendectomy | $15,360 | $5,376 | $16,000 |
| Colonoscopy | $2,640 | $924 | $2,750 |
| Dental Cleaning | $120 | $42 | $125 |
| Root Canal | $1,056 | $370 | $1,100 |
North Carolina residents spend an average of $8,456 per person per year on healthcare, which is 10% lower than the national average of $9,421. The state's cost index of 0.96 means that a procedure costing $1,000 nationally would cost approximately $960 in North Carolina.
North Carolina has expanded Medicaid under the ACA, helping to reduce the uninsured rate to 10.7%. Residents with incomes up to 138% of the federal poverty level may qualify for Medicaid coverage.
For the best price on a planned procedure, compare quotes from at least three facilities. Hospital outpatient departments typically charge 2-3x more than ambulatory surgery centers for the same procedure. Under the CMS Hospital Price Transparency rule, all North Carolina hospitals must publish their negotiated rates — use those files to comparison shop.
Data sources: CMS Hospital Price Transparency, Kaiser Family Foundation, Census Bureau ACS, Healthcare.gov marketplace data. Figures are estimates and may differ from actual billed amounts.
The average per-capita healthcare spending in North Carolina is $8,456 per year. The cost index is 0.96x the national average, meaning medical procedures cost approximately 4% less than the US average.
North Carolina has an uninsured rate of 10.7%, compared to the national average of approximately 8%. North Carolina has expanded Medicaid under the ACA, which helps cover more low-income residents.
Top-rated hospitals in North Carolina include Duke University Hospital, UNC Medical Center, Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center. Rankings are based on CMS Hospital Compare quality ratings, patient outcomes, and specialty accreditations.
The average monthly marketplace health insurance premium in North Carolina is approximately $472. Actual costs vary based on plan tier (Bronze/Silver/Gold/Platinum), age, household size, and income-based subsidies available through Healthcare.gov.
Yes, North Carolina has expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, extending coverage to adults with incomes up to 138% of the federal poverty level.
Data verified · Source: CMS, KFF, Census Bureau & Healthcare.gov data
Our healthcare economists track procedure costs, insurance coverage, and medical pricing across 40+ countries and major US insurance networks. Data sourced from CMS, FAIR Health, and international health ministry databases.
Explore More Data Tools
For adjacent public-data tools, methodology notes, and network updates, visit DataPeek Facts.