The numbers behind Medicare in Bedford County
| Bedford County | Virginia | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents age 65 and older | 19,470 | 1,498,879 statewide |
| Share of residents age 65+ | 23.9% | 17.2% statewide |
| People with Medicare | 23,923 | 1,764,998 statewide |
| Enrolled in Medicare Advantage | 8,933 | 698,851 statewide |
| Medicare Advantage share | 37.3% | 39.6% statewide |
Sources: Census Bureau 2023 estimates and CMS Medicare Advantage penetration, September 2026.
Bedford County ranks 20th of 133 Virginia counties by number of residents age 65 and older, with about 19,470 people in that age group, or 23.9% of residents (statewide: 17.2%). About 6,737 more people are 60 to 64 and are heading toward Medicare; our turning 65 guide explains their first steps. Census 2023 estimates show 60% of the 65-plus population is under 75, 32% is 75 to 84 and 9% is 85 or older. CMS data show 37.3% of Bedford County residents with Medicare chose Medicare Advantage, which is close to the 39.6% average across Virginia. A county average does not tell you which kind of plan fits you. Whether Medicare Advantage or Original Medicare with a Medigap plan is the better fit depends on your doctors, your prescriptions and how you want to handle costs, so we compare both for your ZIP code.
Who has Medicare in Bedford County
The U.S. Department of Agriculture classifies Bedford County as a metro county (counties in metro areas of 250,000 to 1 million population). Counties like this tend to have a wider choice of hospitals and Medicare plans than rural ones, though networks still differ plan by plan.
CMS counts 22,751 Medicare beneficiaries in Bedford County (2023). Their average age is 74, about the same as the Virginia average of 74. About 6% are “dual eligible,” meaning they have both Medicare and Medicaid, lower than the state figure of 9%.
Among people in Original Medicare in Bedford County, CMS reported about 473 emergency room visits and 175 inpatient hospital stays per 1,000 beneficiaries in 2023, which is lower than the state average for emergency visits (589) and lower than it for hospital stays (206). 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 Bedford County can be different from the ones offered next door. We are not based in Bedford County; we help Bedford County residents by phone or video call.
Hospitals located in Bedford County
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) lists this hospital in Bedford County:
- Centra Bedford Memorial Hospital — Bedford (acute care; nonprofit; emergency services; CMS overall rating 5 of 5)
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.
Bedford County: communities and ZIP codes
People in Bedford County live in communities such as Bedford (6,777) (2023 population estimates, counting only the part of each community that lies inside the county).
ZIP codes that fall mostly inside Bedford County include 24064, 24095, 24104, 24121, 24122, 24174, 24179, 24503, 24523, 24526, 24536, 24551, 24556, 24570. Plan availability can change by ZIP code, so have yours ready when we compare plans.
Questions about Medicare in Bedford 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.
- Virginia’s Insurance Marketplace, Virginia’s own health insurance exchange, if you are not yet on Medicare.
- Medicare Care Compare for hospitals and doctors.
- Social Security: Medicare to enroll or check status.
- Virginia Bureau of Insurance: Virginia’s insurance regulator, including agent license lookup.
Coverage we offer Bedford County residents
Here is what we can help Bedford County residents with, drawing on plans from many insurers: final expense insurance, annuities, Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement (Medigap), Part D drug plans, ACA health insurance, ICHRA, group health insurance and life insurance.
Get a clear answer for Bedford County
A short call is enough to compare your options. Our help is free to you.
Get my plan comparisonMedicare guides for Bedford County residents
- Do you really need a Medicare agent?
- Medicare 101 for families
- Medicare Advantage vs. Medigap: how to choose
- Can I change my Medicare plan after December 7?
Bedford County compared with similar Virginia counties
| County | Residents 65+ | Medicare Advantage share | Dual eligible share | Area type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stafford County | 19,491 | 31.1% | 6% | Metro |
| Frederick County | 18,557 | 31.9% | 6% | Metro |
| Augusta County | 18,167 | 30.3% | 6% | Metro |
| City of Alexandria | 20,937 | 29.9% | 8% | Metro |
| Rockingham County | 17,765 | 30.2% | 7% | Metro |
| City of Roanoke | 17,699 | 53.0% | 15% | Metro |
See every Virginia county in our Virginia directory or go to our Virginia Medicare hub.