Medicare in Alger County by the numbers
| Alger County | Michigan | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents age 65 and older | 2,429 | 1,926,752 statewide |
| Share of residents age 65+ | 27.7% | 19.2% statewide |
| People with Medicare | 2,882 | 2,334,917 statewide |
| Enrolled in Medicare Advantage | 1,580 | 1,484,072 statewide |
| Medicare Advantage share | 54.8% | 63.6% statewide |
Sources: Census Bureau 2023 estimates and CMS Medicare Advantage penetration, September 2026.
Alger County ranks 78th of 83 Michigan counties by number of residents age 65 and older, with about 2,429 people in that age group, or 27.7% of residents (statewide: 19.2%). About 789 more people are 60 to 64 and are heading toward Medicare; our turning 65 guide explains their first steps. Among residents 65 and older, 61% are 65 to 74, 29% are 75 to 84 and 10% are 85 or older (Census 2023 estimates). CMS data show 54.8% of Alger County residents with Medicare chose Medicare Advantage, which is lower than the 63.6% average across Michigan. Averages cannot choose a plan for you. Medicare Advantage and Original Medicare with a Medigap plan each suit different people, depending on doctors, medicines and how you prefer to handle costs, and we compare both at your ZIP code.
Who has Medicare in Alger County
The USDA classifies Alger County as: urban population of fewer than 5,000, not adjacent to a metro area. With fewer hospitals and clinics close by, the right Medicare plan here is often the one whose network includes the providers you can really reach.
CMS counts 2,933 Medicare beneficiaries in Alger County (2023). Their average age is 73, about the same as the Michigan average of 72. About 11% are “dual eligible,” meaning they have both Medicare and Medicaid, lower than the state figure of 20%.
Among people in Original Medicare in Alger County, CMS reported about 493 emergency room visits and 166 inpatient hospital stays per 1,000 beneficiaries in 2023, which is lower than the state average for emergency visits (645) and lower than it for hospital stays (245). About 7% received home health care. These figures describe how people use care under Original Medicare; they do not show what any plan covers or costs.
Sources: CMS Medicare Geographic Variation, 2023; USDA Rural-Urban Continuum Codes, 2023.
Insurers choose which counties to serve each year, which means the Medicare Advantage and Part D plans you can pick in Alger County can be different from the ones offered next door. We are not based in Alger County; we help Alger County residents by phone or video call.
Hospitals located in Alger County
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) lists this hospital in Alger County:
- Munising Memorial Hospital — Munising (critical access; nonprofit; emergency services)
Network rules, not geography, decide whether a plan covers a hospital. We look up the hospitals and doctors you use and check them against each plan before you enroll. Ratings are CMS Care Compare overall hospital star ratings; they describe the hospital, not whether a plan covers it. Source: CMS Hospital General Information.
Where people live in Alger County
The largest communities in Alger County by 2023 Census population estimates are Munising (1,963), Chatham (216). Each figure counts only the people living inside the county.
We look up plans by ZIP code. In Alger County, that means areas such as 49806, 49816, 49822, 49825, 49826, 49839, 49862, 49884, 49891, based on Census ZIP Code Tabulation Areas that lie mostly in the county.
Questions about Medicare in Alger County?
Reach out to us: fill out our short form or call (571) 354-0146, and a licensed agent will compare the plans available to you, check your doctors and drugs, and stay with you each year at renewal. For general Medicare information, the federal helpline is 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).
Medicare resources from official sources
- Medicare Plan Finder on Medicare.gov, searchable by ZIP code.
- HealthCare.gov if you are not yet on Medicare.
- Medicare Care Compare for hospitals and doctors.
- Social Security: Medicare to enroll or check status.
- Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services: Michigan’s insurance regulator, including agent license lookup.
Coverage we offer Alger County residents
We work with many carriers, which lets us compare more than one option for Alger County households, including Part D drug plans, ACA health insurance, ICHRA, group health insurance, life insurance, final expense insurance, annuities, Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement (Medigap).
Get a clear answer for Alger County
A short call is enough to compare your options. Our help is free to you.
Get my plan comparisonMedicare guides for Alger County residents
- Why a Medicare Advantage plan drops a doctor or drug
- Medigap Plan G vs. Plan N
- Medicare Advantage vs. Medigap: how to choose
- Does Medicare cover dental, vision and hearing?
Alger County compared with similar Michigan counties
| County | Residents 65+ | Medicare Advantage share | Dual eligible share | Area type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Schoolcraft County | 2,386 | 58.1% | 13% | Rural |
| Oscoda County | 2,524 | 60.4% | 22% | Rural |
| Ontonagon County | 2,285 | 46.7% | 11% | Rural |
| Baraga County | 1,939 | 59.4% | 13% | Rural |
| Montmorency County | 3,219 | 62.1% | 19% | Rural |
| Luce County | 1,548 | 65.4% | 20% | Rural |
See every Michigan county in our Michigan directory or go to our Michigan Medicare hub.