The numbers behind Medicare in Berkeley County
| Berkeley County | South Carolina | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents age 65 and older | 38,856 | 1,037,931 statewide |
| Share of residents age 65+ | 15.2% | 19.3% statewide |
| People with Medicare | 49,159 | 1,294,203 statewide |
| Enrolled in Medicare Advantage | 21,757 | 604,910 statewide |
| Medicare Advantage share | 44.3% | 46.7% statewide |
Data: U.S. Census Bureau (2023 population estimates); CMS, September 2026. Medicare Advantage share is enrollees divided by people with Medicare.
With roughly 38,856 residents age 65 and older, Berkeley County is 10th among 46 South Carolina counties for older residents. That group is 15.2% of its population, compared with 19.3% across South Carolina. About 15,089 more people are 60 to 64 and are heading toward Medicare; our turning 65 guide explains their first steps. Census 2023 estimates show 62% of the 65-plus population is under 75, 31% is 75 to 84 and 7% is 85 or older. CMS data show 44.3% of Berkeley County residents with Medicare chose Medicare Advantage, which is close to the 46.7% average across South Carolina. What most people do in a county is less important than what fits you. We weigh Medicare Advantage against Original Medicare with Medigap using your doctors, your drugs and your budget.
Who has Medicare in Berkeley County
Berkeley County is a metro county; the U.S. Department of Agriculture describes it as: counties in metro areas of 250,000 to 1 million population. Metro counties usually have more hospitals and more insurers competing for Medicare members, so there can be more plans to compare.
CMS counts 45,495 Medicare beneficiaries in Berkeley County (2023). Their average age is 73, about the same as the South Carolina average of 73. About 5% are “dual eligible,” meaning they have both Medicare and Medicaid, lower than the state figure of 7%.
Among people in Original Medicare in Berkeley County, CMS reported about 647 emergency room visits and 203 inpatient hospital stays per 1,000 beneficiaries in 2023, which is higher than the state average for emergency visits (563) and close to it for hospital stays (202). About 9% 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.
Medicare Advantage and Part D plan availability and provider networks are set county by county, so the plans open to you in Berkeley County may differ from those in a neighboring county. We are not based in Berkeley County; we help Berkeley County residents by phone or video call.
Hospitals and doctors near Berkeley County
CMS Hospital General Information lists no acute care, critical access or children’s hospital located inside Berkeley County. Residents often use hospitals in neighboring counties, which matters for Medicare Advantage because a plan’s network may include or leave out the hospital you use. We check your hospitals and doctors before you enroll.
Where people live in Berkeley County
The largest communities in Berkeley County by 2023 Census population estimates are Goose Creek (49,249), Hanahan (21,796), Moncks Corner (16,621), Charleston (16,084), Summerville (5,613), St. Stephen (1,573). Each figure counts only the people living inside the county.
ZIP codes that fall mostly inside Berkeley County include 29410, 29431, 29434, 29436, 29445, 29450, 29453, 29461, 29468, 29469, 29479, 29486, 29492. Plan availability can change by ZIP code, so have yours ready when we compare plans.
Questions about Medicare in Berkeley 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.
- South Carolina Department of Insurance: South Carolina’s insurance regulator, including agent license lookup.
Coverage we offer Berkeley County residents
As an independent agency we are not tied to one insurer, so for Berkeley County residents we can compare life insurance, final expense insurance, annuities, Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement (Medigap), Part D drug plans, ACA health insurance, ICHRA and group health insurance.
Let’s check your Berkeley County options together
We confirm your doctors and prescriptions before you enroll, at no cost to you.
Get my plan comparisonPlain-English Medicare answers
- What Medicare Part D actually costs
- Medigap Plan G vs. Plan N
- What happens if you do nothing during open enrollment?
- When can you switch Medicare plans? Every enrollment window
Berkeley County compared with similar South Carolina counties
| County | Residents 65+ | Medicare Advantage share | Dual eligible share | Area type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anderson County | 39,704 | 53.7% | 7% | Metro |
| Aiken County | 37,638 | 43.6% | 6% | Metro |
| York County | 47,392 | 46.5% | 6% | Metro |
| Dorchester County | 26,553 | 43.2% | 7% | Metro |
| Florence County | 25,047 | 47.0% | 12% | Metro |
| Pickens County | 23,861 | 55.2% | 7% | Metro |
See every South Carolina county in our South Carolina directory or go to our South Carolina Medicare hub.