Covington County at a glance
~38,000
Population — rural but one of the larger south AL counties
County seat: Andalusia — south-central Alabama
Medicaid expansion: Yes, since 2024 — adults up to 138% FPL eligible
ACA carrier: BCBS of Alabama (dominant marketplace carrier)
Local hospital: Andalusia Health
Economy: timber, manufacturing, agriculture, Covington Electric Cooperative
Covington County is a rural county in south-central Alabama with a population of approximately 38,000, making it one of the more populated counties in the rural south Alabama belt. Andalusia, the county seat, is the commercial and healthcare hub. The county economy is anchored by timber and forest products, small manufacturing, agriculture, and Covington Electric Cooperative, one of the region's significant employers. Opp, the county's second-largest city, adds to the commercial base.
Covington County benefits from having Andalusia Health, a community hospital that provides a broader range of services than many surrounding counties can offer. For health insurance purposes, BCBS of Alabama dominates the ACA marketplace in the county, and Alabama's 2024 Medicaid expansion has provided coverage to many previously uninsured adults.
BCBS of Alabama offers multiple plan tiers in Covington County. Silver plans with cost-sharing reductions (100–250% FPL) provide the best value for most subsidy-eligible residents. With only one carrier, comparing plan tiers and understanding the premium-deductible tradeoff is the most important decision for Covington County enrollees.
Health insurance in Covington County
Andalusia Health (formerly Andalusia Regional Hospital) is a community hospital providing emergency services, inpatient care, surgical services, and outpatient clinics. For Covington County, having a functional community hospital is an asset — many comparable rural Alabama counties have lost their hospitals or face imminent closure risks.
| Annual Income (Single Adult) | % of FPL (2026) | Coverage Type | Est. Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Below $22,024 | Below 138% | Alabama Medicaid | $0 (no premium) |
| $22,025 – $31,920 | 138–200% | ACA Silver + Enhanced CSRs | $20 – $80/month |
| $31,921 – $47,880 | 200–300% | ACA with meaningful subsidy | $80 – $195/month |
| $47,881 – $63,840 | 300–400% | ACA with moderate subsidy | $195 – $320/month |
Estimates for a single 40-year-old on a BCBS Alabama benchmark Silver plan. Not guaranteed quotes.
Andalusia is the county seat and healthcare hub. Opp is the second-largest city. Florala sits on the Florida state line. All communities within Covington County use the same ACA marketplace pool and enroll through HealthCare.gov.
Covington County residents enroll through HealthCare.gov for ACA marketplace plans. Open enrollment for 2026–2027 runs November 1, 2026 through January 15, 2027. Alabama Medicaid enrollment is year-round. Qualifying life events trigger a 60-day Special Enrollment Period.
Also see: Alabama Health Insurance guide · Andalusia, AL · Browse plans at HealthCare.gov.