The numbers behind Medicare in Dougherty County
| Dougherty County | Georgia | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents age 65 and older | 14,694 | 1,696,217 statewide |
| Share of residents age 65+ | 17.8% | 15.4% statewide |
| People with Medicare | 18,114 | 2,041,931 statewide |
| Enrolled in Medicare Advantage | 11,984 | 1,148,032 statewide |
| Medicare Advantage share | 66.2% | 56.2% statewide |
Data: U.S. Census Bureau (2023 population estimates); CMS, September 2026. Medicare Advantage share is enrollees divided by people with Medicare.
Dougherty County ranks 30th of 159 Georgia counties by number of residents age 65 and older, with about 14,694 people in that age group, or 17.8% of residents (statewide: 15.4%). Another 4,959 residents are age 60 to 64 and will reach Medicare eligibility within about five years (see our turning 65 guide). By age, the 65-and-older group splits 61% ages 65 to 74, 30% ages 75 to 84 and 9% age 85 and up (Census 2023). CMS data show 66.2% of Dougherty County residents with Medicare chose Medicare Advantage, which is higher than the 56.2% average across Georgia. 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 Dougherty County
The U.S. Department of Agriculture classifies Dougherty County as a metro county (counties in metro areas of fewer than 250,000 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 18,695 Medicare beneficiaries in Dougherty County (2023). Their average age is 72, about the same as the Georgia average of 73. About 19% are “dual eligible,” meaning they have both Medicare and Medicaid, higher than the state figure of 12%. 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 Dougherty County, CMS reported about 570 emergency room visits and 242 inpatient hospital stays per 1,000 beneficiaries in 2023, which is close to the state average for emergency visits (560) and close to it for hospital stays (223). 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.
Where you live decides which Medicare Advantage and Part D plans you can join, and Dougherty County may have a different set of plans than the counties around it. We are not based in Dougherty County; we help Dougherty County residents by phone or video call.
Hospitals located in Dougherty County
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) lists these hospitals in Dougherty County:
- Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital — Albany (acute care; government-owned; emergency services; CMS overall rating 2 of 5)
- South Georgia Specialty Hospital — Albany (acute care; for-profit; no emergency department)
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 Dougherty County
Census Bureau 2023 estimates put the biggest communities in Dougherty County at Albany (66,877), counting only the part of each community inside the county.
We look up plans by ZIP code. In Dougherty County, that means areas such as 31701, 31704, 31705, 31707, 31721, based on Census ZIP Code Tabulation Areas that lie mostly in the county.
Questions about Medicare in Dougherty 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.
- Georgia Access, Georgia’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.
- Georgia Office of Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner: Georgia’s insurance regulator, including agent license lookup.
Coverage we offer Dougherty County residents
Here is what we can help Dougherty County residents with, drawing on plans from many insurers: Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement (Medigap), Part D drug plans, ACA health insurance, ICHRA, group health insurance, life insurance, final expense insurance and annuities.
Ready to compare plans in Dougherty County?
Tell us your doctors and medicines and we will show you what fits. No cost, no pressure.
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Dougherty County compared with similar Georgia counties
| County | Residents 65+ | Medicare Advantage share | Dual eligible share | Area type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rockdale County | 15,433 | 65.2% | 13% | Metro |
| Walker County | 13,877 | 60.4% | 16% | Metro |
| Whitfield County | 15,871 | 42.9% | 18% | Metro |
| Spalding County | 13,466 | 62.9% | 14% | Metro |
| Catoosa County | 13,157 | 50.5% | 11% | Metro |
| Lowndes County | 16,370 | 52.1% | 15% | Metro |
See every Georgia county in our Georgia directory or go to our Georgia Medicare hub.