Chowan County Medicare at a glance
| Chowan County | North Carolina | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents age 65 and older | 3,699 | 1,908,489 statewide |
| Share of residents age 65+ | 26.6% | 17.6% statewide |
| People with Medicare | 4,532 | 2,336,840 statewide |
| Enrolled in Medicare Advantage | 2,010 | 1,353,169 statewide |
| Medicare Advantage share | 44.4% | 57.9% statewide |
Figures come from the Census Bureau and CMS (September 2026).
Among North Carolina’s 100 counties, Chowan County comes in 90th for residents age 65 and up (3,699). Older adults make up 26.6% of the population here; the state figure is 17.6%. The 1,132 residents now between 60 and 64 will become Medicare-eligible soon, and our turning 65 guide walks through it. Census 2023 estimates show 59% of the 65-plus population is under 75, 31% is 75 to 84 and 10% is 85 or older. About 44.4% of people with Medicare in Chowan County are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan. That is lower than the North Carolina average of 57.9%. 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 Chowan County
Chowan County is a rural county (USDA: urban population of fewer than 5,000, adjacent to a metro area). Plan choices can be narrower than in a city, and we focus on networks that include the doctors and hospital you actually use.
CMS counts 4,452 Medicare beneficiaries in Chowan County (2023). Their average age is 73, about the same as the North Carolina average of 73. About 13% are “dual eligible,” meaning they have both Medicare and Medicaid, close to the state figure of 13%.
Among people in Original Medicare in Chowan County, CMS reported about 835 emergency room visits and 206 inpatient hospital stays per 1,000 beneficiaries in 2023, which is higher than the state average for emergency visits (572) and close to it for hospital stays (210). About 8% 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 Chowan County may have a different set of plans than the counties around it. We are not based in Chowan County; we help Chowan County residents by phone or video call.
Hospitals located in Chowan County
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) lists this hospital in Chowan County:
- Vidant Chowan Hospital — Edenton (critical access; government-owned; emergency services; CMS overall rating 3 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.
Communities and ZIP codes in Chowan County
People in Chowan County live in communities such as Edenton (4,485) (2023 population estimates, counting only the part of each community that lies inside the county).
We look up plans by ZIP code. In Chowan County, that means areas such as 27932, 27980, based on Census ZIP Code Tabulation Areas that lie mostly in the county.
Questions about Medicare in Chowan 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.
- HealthCare.gov if you are not yet on Medicare.
- North Carolina Department of Insurance: North Carolina’s insurance regulator, including agent license lookup.
Coverage we offer Chowan County residents
As an independent agency we are not tied to one insurer, so for Chowan 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.
Ready to compare plans in Chowan 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
- What happens if you do nothing during open enrollment?
- Can I change my Medicare plan after December 7?
- Why a Medicare Advantage plan drops a doctor or drug
- Medigap Plan G vs. Plan N
Chowan County compared with similar North Carolina counties
| County | Residents 65+ | Medicare Advantage share | Dual eligible share | Area type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greene County | 3,673 | 61.9% | 20% | Rural |
| Mitchell County | 3,835 | 56.3% | 17% | Rural |
| Perquimans County | 3,841 | 44.0% | 12% | Rural |
| Pamlico County | 3,999 | 42.9% | 9% | Rural |
| Clay County | 4,050 | 44.8% | 12% | Rural |
| Alleghany County | 3,301 | 57.5% | 13% | Rural |
See every North Carolina county in our North Carolina directory or go to our North Carolina Medicare hub.