Medicare in Clay County by the numbers
| Clay County | Alabama | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents age 65 and older | 3,084 | 932,312 statewide |
| Share of residents age 65+ | 21.9% | 18.3% statewide |
| People with Medicare | 3,854 | 1,148,442 statewide |
| Enrolled in Medicare Advantage | 2,427 | 706,387 statewide |
| Medicare Advantage share | 63.0% | 61.5% statewide |
Sources: Census Bureau 2023 estimates and CMS Medicare Advantage penetration, September 2026.
Clay County ranks 55th of 67 Alabama counties by number of residents age 65 and older, with about 3,084 people in that age group, or 21.9% of residents (statewide: 18.3%). The 1,071 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 56% ages 65 to 74, 32% ages 75 to 84 and 12% age 85 and up (Census 2023). About 63.0% of people with Medicare in Clay County are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan. That is close to the Alabama average of 61.5%. 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 Clay County
Clay County is a rural county (USDA: urban population of fewer than 5,000, not 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 3,847 Medicare beneficiaries in Clay County (2023). Their average age is 73, about the same as the Alabama average of 72. About 17% are “dual eligible,” meaning they have both Medicare and Medicaid, higher than the state figure of 14%. 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 Clay County, CMS reported about 584 emergency room visits and 223 inpatient hospital stays per 1,000 beneficiaries in 2023, which is close to the state average for emergency visits (600) and close to it for hospital stays (247). About 12% 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 Clay County may have a different set of plans than the counties around it. We are not based in Clay County; we help Clay County residents by phone or video call.
Hospitals located in Clay County
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) lists this hospital in Clay County:
- Clay County Hospital — Ashland (acute care; government-owned; 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.
Clay County: communities and ZIP codes
The largest communities in Clay County by 2023 Census population estimates are Lineville (2,484), Ashland (1,942). Each figure counts only the people living inside the county.
We look up plans by ZIP code. In Clay County, that means areas such as 35082, 36251, 36255, 36266, 36267, based on Census ZIP Code Tabulation Areas that lie mostly in the county.
Questions about Medicare in Clay 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.
- Alabama Department of Insurance: Alabama’s insurance regulator, including agent license lookup.
Coverage we offer Clay County residents
We work with many carriers, which lets us compare more than one option for Clay County households, including Medicare Supplement (Medigap), Part D drug plans, ACA health insurance, ICHRA, group health insurance, life insurance, final expense insurance, annuities and Medicare Advantage.
Ready to compare plans in Clay County?
Tell us your doctors and medicines and we will show you what fits. No cost, no pressure.
Get my plan comparisonMedicare guides for Clay County residents
- Do you really need a Medicare agent?
- Does Medicare cover dental, vision and hearing?
- What happens if you do nothing during open enrollment?
- Medicare 101 for families
Clay County compared with similar Alabama counties
| County | Residents 65+ | Medicare Advantage share | Dual eligible share | Area type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lamar County | 3,105 | 45.2% | 18% | Rural |
| Cleburne County | 3,053 | 53.7% | 18% | Rural |
| Choctaw County | 3,040 | 59.6% | 21% | Rural |
| Washington County | 3,240 | 63.3% | 18% | Rural |
| Conecuh County | 2,819 | 65.4% | 22% | Rural |
| Coosa County | 2,741 | 74.7% | 14% | Rural |
See every Alabama county in our Alabama directory or go to our Alabama Medicare hub.