Medicare in Franklin County by the numbers
| Franklin County | Alabama | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents age 65 and older | 5,628 | 932,312 statewide |
| Share of residents age 65+ | 17.7% | 18.3% statewide |
| People with Medicare | 6,583 | 1,148,442 statewide |
| Enrolled in Medicare Advantage | 3,587 | 706,387 statewide |
| Medicare Advantage share | 54.5% | 61.5% statewide |
Figures come from the Census Bureau and CMS (September 2026).
Among Alabama’s 67 counties, Franklin County comes in 39th for residents age 65 and up (5,628). Older adults make up 17.7% of the population here; the state figure is 18.3%. The 2,003 residents now between 60 and 64 will become Medicare-eligible soon, and our turning 65 guide walks through it. Census 2023 estimates show 58% of the 65-plus population is under 75, 32% is 75 to 84 and 11% is 85 or older. Medicare Advantage enrollment in Franklin County is 54.5% of people with Medicare, lower than the Alabama average of 61.5%. 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 Franklin County
Franklin County is a smaller-city and town county; the U.S. Department of Agriculture describes it as: urban population of 5,000 to 20,000, adjacent to a metro area. Counties like this often sit between a metro area and rural communities, so some residents use hospitals and specialists in a neighboring county and a plan’s network across the county line matters.
CMS counts 7,047 Medicare beneficiaries in Franklin County (2023). Their average age is 73, about the same as the Alabama average of 72. About 22% 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 Franklin County, CMS reported about 670 emergency room visits and 298 inpatient hospital stays per 1,000 beneficiaries in 2023, which is close to the state average for emergency visits (600) and higher than it for hospital stays (247). About 15% 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 Franklin County may have a different set of plans than the counties around it. We are not based in Franklin County; we help Franklin County residents by phone or video call.
Hospitals located in Franklin County
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) lists these hospitals in Franklin County:
- Red Bay Hospital — Red Bay (critical access; government-owned; emergency services)
- Russellville Hospital — Russellville (acute care; for-profit; emergency services; CMS overall rating 4 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.
Franklin County: communities and ZIP codes
Census Bureau 2023 estimates put the biggest communities in Franklin County at Russellville (10,722), Red Bay (3,184), Phil Campbell (979), Vina (322), Hodges (262), counting only the part of each community inside the county.
Census ZIP Code Tabulation Areas mostly within Franklin County number 7: 35571, 35581, 35582, 35585, 35593, 35653, 35654. Your exact ZIP code is what decides which plans you can join.
Questions about Medicare in Franklin 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 Franklin County residents
Here is what we can help Franklin County residents with, drawing on plans from many insurers: life insurance, final expense insurance, annuities, Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement (Medigap), Part D drug plans, ACA health insurance, ICHRA and group health insurance.
Get a clear answer for Franklin County
A short call is enough to compare your options. Our help is free to you.
Get my plan comparisonRead next
- What Medicare Part D actually costs
- Does Medicare cover dental, vision and hearing?
- Medicare Advantage vs. Medigap: how to choose
- Medigap Plan G vs. Plan N
Franklin County compared with similar Alabama counties
| County | Residents 65+ | Medicare Advantage share | Dual eligible share | Area type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pike County | 5,274 | 68.3% | 18% | Smaller city/town |
| Barbour County | 5,060 | 65.9% | 18% | Smaller city/town |
| Escambia County | 6,950 | 63.3% | 17% | Smaller city/town |
| Butler County | 4,066 | 66.8% | 19% | Smaller city/town |
| Chambers County | 7,205 | 67.1% | 23% | Smaller city/town |
| Marengo County | 3,918 | 64.2% | 22% | Smaller city/town |
See every Alabama county in our Alabama directory or go to our Alabama Medicare hub.