The numbers behind Medicare in Bath County
| Bath County | Virginia | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents age 65 and older | 1,216 | 1,498,879 statewide |
| Share of residents age 65+ | 30.0% | 17.2% statewide |
| People with Medicare | 1,399 | 1,764,998 statewide |
| Enrolled in Medicare Advantage | 389 | 698,851 statewide |
| Medicare Advantage share | 27.8% | 39.6% statewide |
Figures come from the Census Bureau and CMS (September 2026).
With roughly 1,216 residents age 65 and older, Bath County is 127th among 133 Virginia counties for older residents. That group is 30.0% of its population, compared with 17.2% across Virginia. About 350 more people are 60 to 64 and are heading toward Medicare; our turning 65 guide explains their first steps. By age, the 65-and-older group splits 55% ages 65 to 74, 36% ages 75 to 84 and 9% age 85 and up (Census 2023). CMS data show 27.8% of Bath County residents with Medicare chose Medicare Advantage, which is lower than the 39.6% average across Virginia. 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 Bath County
Bath County is a rural county; the U.S. Department of Agriculture describes it as: urban population of fewer than 5,000, not adjacent to a metro area. Rural counties tend to have fewer local hospitals and doctors, so a plan’s network and the distance to care matter a great deal.
CMS counts 1,401 Medicare beneficiaries in Bath County (2023). Their average age is 74, about the same as the Virginia average of 74. About 9% are “dual eligible,” meaning they have both Medicare and Medicaid, close to the state figure of 9%.
Among people in Original Medicare in Bath County, CMS reported about 700 emergency room visits and 177 inpatient hospital stays per 1,000 beneficiaries in 2023, which is higher than the state average for emergency visits (589) and lower than it for hospital stays (206). About 6% 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 Bath County can be different from the ones offered next door. We are not based in Bath County; we help Bath County residents by phone or video call.
Hospitals located in Bath County
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) lists this hospital in Bath County:
- Bath Community Hospital — Hot Springs (critical access; nonprofit; emergency services)
A hospital being in the county does not mean every plan covers it. Medicare Advantage networks differ by plan, so we check the hospitals and doctors you actually use 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.
Bath County: communities and ZIP codes
Census ZIP Code Tabulation Areas mostly within Bath County number 4: 24412, 24445, 24460, 24484. Your exact ZIP code is what decides which plans you can join.
Questions about Medicare in Bath 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.
- Social Security: Medicare to enroll or check status.
- Medicare.gov: Medigap on how Medicare Supplement works.
- Virginia’s Insurance Marketplace, Virginia’s own health insurance exchange, if you are not yet on Medicare.
- Virginia Bureau of Insurance: Virginia’s insurance regulator, including agent license lookup.
Coverage we offer Bath County residents
As an independent agency we are not tied to one insurer, so for Bath County residents we can compare group health insurance, life insurance, final expense insurance, annuities, Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement (Medigap), Part D drug plans, ACA health insurance and ICHRA.
Ready to compare plans in Bath County?
Tell us your doctors and medicines and we will show you what fits. No cost, no pressure.
Get my plan comparisonPlain-English Medicare answers
- How to read your Medicare Annual Notice of Change
- When can you switch Medicare plans? Every enrollment window
- Do you really need a Medicare agent?
- Medicare Parts A, B, C and D explained
Bath County compared with similar Virginia counties
| County | Residents 65+ | Medicare Advantage share | Dual eligible share | Area type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Highland County | 912 | 28.8% | 7% | Rural |
| Bland County | 1,576 | 46.0% | 10% | Rural |
| Richmond County | 2,020 | 37.8% | 11% | Rural |
| Cumberland County | 2,327 | 42.3% | 10% | Rural |
| Charlotte County | 2,594 | 43.8% | 14% | Rural |
| Essex County | 2,646 | 42.2% | 9% | Rural |
See every Virginia county in our Virginia directory or go to our Virginia Medicare hub.