The numbers behind Medicare in Frio County
| Frio County | Texas | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents age 65 and older | 2,201 | 4,188,063 statewide |
| Share of residents age 65+ | 12.2% | 13.7% statewide |
| People with Medicare | 2,884 | 5,048,909 statewide |
| Enrolled in Medicare Advantage | 2,034 | 2,770,279 statewide |
| Medicare Advantage share | 70.5% | 54.9% statewide |
Figures come from the Census Bureau and CMS (September 2026).
With roughly 2,201 residents age 65 and older, Frio County is 154th among 254 Texas counties for older residents. That group is 12.2% of its population, compared with 13.7% across Texas. The 774 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 57% ages 65 to 74, 32% ages 75 to 84 and 11% age 85 and up (Census 2023). Medicare Advantage enrollment in Frio County is 70.5% of people with Medicare, higher than the Texas average of 54.9%. Averages cannot choose a plan for you. Medicare Advantage and Original Medicare with a Medigap plan each suit different people, depending on doctors, medicines and how you prefer to handle costs, and we compare both at your ZIP code.
Who has Medicare in Frio County
Frio County is a non-metro county with towns and small cities (USDA: urban population of 5,000 to 20,000, adjacent to a metro area). Care is often split between local providers and a bigger hospital elsewhere, which is worth testing against each plan’s network.
CMS counts 3,060 Medicare beneficiaries in Frio County (2023). Their average age is 71, younger than the Texas average of 73. About 29% 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 Frio County, CMS reported about 661 emergency room visits and 229 inpatient hospital stays per 1,000 beneficiaries in 2023, which is higher than the state average for emergency visits (580) and close to it for hospital stays (226). About 9% 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 Frio County may have a different set of plans than the counties around it. We are not based in Frio County; we help Frio County residents by phone or video call.
Hospitals located in Frio County
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) lists this hospital in Frio County:
- Frio Regional Hospital — Pearsall (critical access; nonprofit; 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.
Where people live in Frio County
Census Bureau 2023 estimates put the biggest communities in Frio County at Pearsall (8,946), Dilley (3,333), counting only the part of each community inside the county.
Census ZIP Code Tabulation Areas mostly within Frio County number 4: 78005, 78017, 78057, 78061. Your exact ZIP code is what decides which plans you can join.
Questions about Medicare in Frio 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 Frio County residents
Here is what we can help Frio County residents with, drawing on plans from many insurers: ICHRA, group health insurance, life insurance, final expense insurance, annuities, Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement (Medigap), Part D drug plans and ACA health insurance.
Let’s check your Frio County options together
We confirm your doctors and prescriptions before you enroll, at no cost to you.
Get my plan comparisonMedicare guides for Frio County residents
- Do you really need a Medicare agent?
- Medicare Parts A, B, C and D explained
- What happens if you do nothing during open enrollment?
- Can I change my Medicare plan after December 7?
Frio County compared with similar Texas counties
| County | Residents 65+ | Medicare Advantage share | Dual eligible share | Area type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lamb County | 2,246 | 47.9% | 17% | Smaller city/town |
| Brewster County | 2,292 | 39.3% | 12% | Smaller city/town |
| Gaines County | 2,081 | 37.5% | 21% | Smaller city/town |
| Deaf Smith County | 2,373 | 49.3% | 16% | Smaller city/town |
| Pecos County | 1,995 | 48.5% | 23% | Smaller city/town |
| Wilbarger County | 2,428 | 38.6% | 21% | Smaller city/town |
See every Texas county in our Texas directory or go to our Texas Medicare hub.