Forbes ranks NC 3rd worst state for healthcare, worst for costs, Here's why

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North Carolina has been ranked the third-worst state for healthcare overall and the worst in the nation for healthcare costs, according to a recent Forbes Advisor report.

The analysis, which compared all 50 states across 24 metrics, placed North Carolina near the bottom due to several concerning factors, including high healthcare costs, poor outcomes, and limited access to care.

Is North Carolina an affordable state for healthcare?

According to Forbes, absolutely not.

Residents with employer-based health insurance in North Carolina pay some of the highest premiums in the country, with an average of $1,847 annually.

This places the state as the most expensive for healthcare. Additionally, North Carolina struggles with access to medical professionals, ranking fifth-lowest in nurse practitioners and having only 13.45 primary care physicians per 10,000 residents.

By contrast, Minnesota was ranked the best state for healthcare, with better outcomes and affordability, highlighting the stark difference between the two states.

Seven of the top 10 best states for healthcare are in the Northeast, while seven of the worst are located in the Southeast, including North Carolina.

The state’s recent Medicaid expansion may improve healthcare rankings in the future, but current data paints a concerning picture for the healthcare landscape in North Carolina.