May 8, 2026
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina has released the following statement about the planned June 30, 2026, contract termination with CarolinaEast Medical Center for Medicare Advantage policies:
Medicare Advantage is an important coverage option for many people in this region and across the state. We will continue working with CarolinaEast in other areas, including Medicaid, and remain open to welcoming the hospital back into our Medicare Advantage Network should it choose to participate in the future.
Patients with commercial health plans (employer-sponsored or individual/family), Medicaid plans, or traditional Medicare are not affected by this dispute. CarolinaEast Physicians are also not included in the dispute.
Source: WCTI
May 6, 2026
Starting on July 1, 2026, CarolinaEast Medical Center will no longer be in-network with Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina’s Medicare Advantage Plan.
This change does not impact CarolinaEast Physicians. It also does not apply to patients on original Medicare with supplement plans, or to patients on commercial (individual/family or employer-sponsored) plans.
WCTI has reached out to BCBSNC for comment.
Sources: CarolinaEast Medical Center, WCTI