Health Insurance Durham NC

Durham - Home of our Blue Cross Blue Shield corporate offices. Durham originated in 1853 with the search for a suitable railroad depot for the North Carolina Railroad between Wilson and Hillsborough The town grew slowly before the Civil War, but grew rapidly following the war; the present city charter dates from 1869. Much of this growth can be attributed to the establishment of a thriving tobacco industry. Soldiers encamped at Bennett Place, just outside the town, during surrender proceedings. During their long encampment, they liberally sampled the area's "Brightleaf Tobacco", which purportedly had a milder flavor than other tobacco varieties. After returning to their homes, numerous orders were mailed to Green's tobacco company requesting more of the Durham tobacco. W.T. Blackwell would partner with Green, and rename the company the "Bull Durham Tobacco Company". The name "Bull Durham" is said to have been taken from the bull on the British Coleman's Mustard, which Mr. Blackwell (mistakenly) believed was manufactured in Durham, England.

The rapid growth and prosperity of the Bull Durham Tobacco Company, and Washington Duke's Duke & Sons Tobacco Company, resulted in the rapid growth of the city of Durham. Much of the early city architecture, both commercial and residential, dates from the period of 1890 - 1930.

Trinity College, established in Durham in 1892, would be transformed into Duke University in 1924 on the promise of a large endowment of money from James B. Duke should the name of the university be changed to "Duke University" to honor his father, Washington Duke. The original campus of Trinity College would become the Women's College, and a new campus was built in the forest west of town.

Durham's fortunes declined during the mid-twentieth century Although the region benefitted significantly from the establishment of Research Triangle Park in 1958, Durham did not experience the same early increases in housing development as did neighboring Raleigh and Cary. Suburban flight also contributed to the slow, but progressive decline of downtown Durham as a retail and economic center.

Durham's growth began to rekindle during the 1970s and 1980s, with the construction of multiple housing developments in the southern part of the city. A new downtown baseball stadium was constructed for the Durham Bulls in 1994, and a large-scale historic renovation of the American Tobacco Company (formerly Bull Durham) complex commenced in 2003.

Jerry Ballard & Associates, Inc. is an award-winning, top-producing, online-based North Carolina Insurance Agency that has attained the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina President's Club Status for excellence since its inception. At NC Health Plans, we offer a variety of insurance products, focusing primarily on the North Carolina health insurance and Medicare markets. Our goal is to provide the highest level of service to our customers while offering the convenience of handling your health insurance needs from the comfort of your own home. A leader in the industry, Jerry Ballard has been the #1 top producing independent insurance agent for Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina in individual sales for 11 consecutive years. In August 2014, Jerry was inducted in the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Hall of Fame and he has successfully built a team of qualified, professional Agents dedicated to providing exemplary service to both new and existing customers. Not only does our Agency offer outstanding service, we also provide the technological sophistication you need to obtain quick and accurate information via our website, www.nchealthplans.com. In this ever-changing health insurance market, it is more important than ever to have a knowledgeable and professional advocate to help you navigate your insurance needs. At Jerry Ballard & Associates, Inc. we make it our priority to offer you both quality products and personal service.

Our Agency has received an exciting designation from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) as one of the highest performing agents in the Health Insurance Marketplaces for 3 straight years. The Elite Plus is the top designation in the Marketplace Circle of Champions program, which recognizes the hard work of agents and brokers who help North Carolinians access and manage their health coverage. We have received the Marketplace Circle of Champions designation for 2018, 2019, and 2020.

NC Health Plans offers Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina health insurance plans both on and off the Health Insurance Exchange/Marketplace, Medicare Supplement plans, Group Health Insurance and Dental plans for all ages.

For more information about any health plan for North Carolina (NC) residents featured on this website, read each plan’s helpful Frequently Asked Questions section. Or call the friendly professionals at Jerry Ballard & Associates, Inc. your independent North Carolina health and life insurance agency: toll free 888-765-5400 or 252-726-5400.