4 Things to Know Before Changing Your Insurance in 2026 Living in Asheville

Dec 22

1. If You Want to Keep Your Doctor
If you want to keep your doctor, don’t just assume they’ll be in-network with your new plan. It’s so frustrating to see a new provider every year because your doctor leaves or your insurance changes.

Action step: Call your insurance company to confirm your doctor will be in-network for the upcoming year. They may ask you for the doctor’ NPI number. This is a number that every doctor has that’s specific to them. They may ask you for it. Here is a link to find that number. https://npiregistry.cms.hhs.gov/search

Alternative: A Direct Primary Care (DPC) membership can help. With DPC, you stay connected to your doctor regardless of insurance, enjoy longer visits, and have direct access via text, call, or email.

2. If You Want to Explore or Renew Your Private Insurance
Call your insurance company to discuss renewal, or work with a trusted insurance broker who can help compare companies and plans for you. Pro tip: they are free to talk to as the insurance companies reimburse them. Two we recommend:

Lanford Insurance (near our clinic on the border of Asheville and Weaverville): lanfordfinancial.com
Mr. Stuart Engel (experienced in insurance, located Biltmore area): LinkedIn

If you have a DPC doctor, it’s common to get a Low Premium High Deductible (LPHD) plan for catastrophic coverage, and avoid HMOs that restrict you to only see their doctors they want you to see.

3. Consider HealthShares instead of Traditional Health Insurance
Rising premiums and limited networks make alternatives worth exploring. These alternatives to health insurance companies are called Health Shares. We are not aware of any North Carolina based health shares but there are many national ones to choose from.

HSA for America is a company that helps you compare Health Shares. Health Shares are an alternive to insurance. You can choose from different health shares: Christian-based, religion-free, DPC discount, or flexible membership options. Plans are typically cheaper than traditional insurance premiums (somtimes half the price). hsaforamerica.com

Direct Primary Care memberships work great with HealthShares as your doctor can typically take care of about 90% of your health needs then save the insurance for catastrophic care (expensive medications, ICU, cancer treatment or MRIs). These insurance plans are sometimes called “Low Premium High Deductible (LPHD)” plans.

4. If you want to keep Medicaid

https://epass.nc.gov/ is the website to renew. Typically patients need to renew either every 6 or 12 months.

North Carolina Medicaid changes are unclear, and it’s hard to undestand/predict how they might affect copays, covered services, or access. Even with Medicaid, seeing a DPC doctor can help keep your care personalized and consistent. DPC provides transparent, predictable billing, so you know what to expect regardless of insurance changes.

Bottom line: Whether renewing private insurance, exploring alternatives, or maintaining Medicaid, planning ahead ensures you maintain access to your doctor. A DPC membership can help provide uninterrupted, personalized care through any insurance change.

Learn more about our Direct Primary Care Clinic: RiverRock Clinic here: https://www.riverrockclinic.com/