Buncombe County Government North Carolina

departments & agencies

Economic Services / health choice

40 Coxe Avenue
Asheville, NC 28802
(828) 250-5500

NC Health Choice for Children provides health coverage for uninsured children (under 19 years old) whose families do not have health insurance benefits and who do not qualify for Medicaid. Income guidelines apply and there is an enrollment fee if countable income equals or exceeds set amounts. As shown in the table below, a family of four earning less than $3,225 gross per month can receive coverage which includes medical, dental, vision and hearing care as well as counseling, therapies and mental health. Blue Cross/Blue Shield of N.C. administers the program, and the cost is paid by federal and state funding.

Income Guidelines
Family Size Monthly Income
(before taxes)
2 $2,139
3 $2,682
4 $3,225
5 $3,769

Note - effective 4/01/05
Step Parent/Grantparent Income is not counted.



Deductions from income:

  • daycare for child or incapacitated adult
  • child support being paid for a child outside of the home
  • income of a step-parent is not counted.

You can download an NCHC application and find out more information about the plan at the NC Division of Medical Assistance website.

Health Choice Services include:

  • doctor visits for sick children
  • well child check-ups
  • eye exams and glasses
  • hearing exams and hearing aids
  • prescriptions
  • hospital coverage
  • dental care
  • mental health
  • counseling
  • and more

Hours of Operation:

Monday through Friday
8:00am - 5:00pm

Appointment Procedure

Apply at DSS, use mail-in Medicaid/Health Choice Applications, applications can be mailed in

What to bring with you

Income Verification

How are services paid for?

Federal and State funds.

Contact Information

Trish Wallin
Program Manager
(828) 250-5689
patricia.wallin@buncombecounty.org

24 Hour Application Assistance
(828) 250-5939

For a listing of county-wide programs & services offered by Buncombe County Government, please visit our Services section.