The numbers behind Medicare in Brooks County
| Brooks County | Texas | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents age 65 and older | 1,162 | 4,188,063 statewide |
| Share of residents age 65+ | 17.0% | 13.7% statewide |
| People with Medicare | 1,565 | 5,048,909 statewide |
| Enrolled in Medicare Advantage | 1,113 | 2,770,279 statewide |
| Medicare Advantage share | 71.1% | 54.9% statewide |
Data: U.S. Census Bureau (2023 population estimates); CMS, September 2026. Medicare Advantage share is enrollees divided by people with Medicare.
With roughly 1,162 residents age 65 and older, Brooks County is 191st among 254 Texas counties for older residents. That group is 17.0% of its population, compared with 13.7% across Texas. The 378 residents now between 60 and 64 will become Medicare-eligible soon, and our turning 65 guide walks through it. By age, the 65-and-older group splits 53% ages 65 to 74, 35% ages 75 to 84 and 11% age 85 and up (Census 2023). About 71.1% of people with Medicare in Brooks County are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan. That is higher than the Texas average of 54.9%. 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 Brooks County
Brooks 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 1,602 Medicare beneficiaries in Brooks County (2023). Their average age is 72, about the same as the Texas average of 73. About 37% are “dual eligible,” meaning they have both Medicare and Medicaid, higher than the state figure of 11%. Where many people have both, special plans for dual-eligible members can matter; see our Medicaid and dual eligible guide, since availability varies by plan and area.
Among people in Original Medicare in Brooks County, CMS reported about 820 emergency room visits and 299 inpatient hospital stays per 1,000 beneficiaries in 2023, which is higher than the state average for emergency visits (580) and higher than it for hospital stays (226). About 16% 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.
Where you live decides which Medicare Advantage and Part D plans you can join, and Brooks County may have a different set of plans than the counties around it. We are not based in Brooks County; we help Brooks County residents by phone or video call.
Hospitals and doctors near Brooks County
CMS Hospital General Information lists no acute care, critical access or children’s hospital located inside Brooks 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.
Communities and ZIP codes in Brooks County
The largest communities in Brooks County by 2023 Census population estimates are Falfurrias (4,420). Each figure counts only the people living inside the county.
Census ZIP Code Tabulation Areas mostly within Brooks County number 2: 78353, 78355. Your exact ZIP code is what decides which plans you can join.
Questions about Medicare in Brooks 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.
- Texas Department of Insurance: Texas’s insurance regulator, including agent license lookup.
Coverage we offer Brooks County residents
Here is what we can help Brooks County residents with, drawing on plans from many insurers: group health insurance, life insurance, final expense insurance, annuities, Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement (Medigap), Part D drug plans, ACA health insurance and ICHRA.
Get a clear answer for Brooks County
A short call is enough to compare your options. Our help is free to you.
Get my plan comparisonMedicare guides for Brooks County residents
- Why a Medicare Advantage plan drops a doctor or drug
- When can you switch Medicare plans? Every enrollment window
- Medicare Advantage vs. Medigap: how to choose
- Medicare Parts A, B, C and D explained
Brooks County compared with similar Texas counties
| County | Residents 65+ | Medicare Advantage share | Dual eligible share | Area type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Childress County | 1,151 | 43.2% | 17% | Rural |
| Delta County | 1,140 | 47.5% | 12% | Rural |
| Swisher County | 1,188 | 41.3% | 12% | Rural |
| Haskell County | 1,199 | 33.1% | 16% | Rural |
| Castro County | 1,242 | 39.3% | 13% | Rural |
| Mason County | 1,248 | 34.2% | 9% | Rural |
See every Texas county in our Texas directory or go to our Texas Medicare hub.