The numbers behind Medicare in Gates County
| Gates County | North Carolina | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents age 65 and older | 2,418 | 1,908,489 statewide |
| Share of residents age 65+ | 23.4% | 17.6% statewide |
| People with Medicare | 2,875 | 2,336,840 statewide |
| Enrolled in Medicare Advantage | 1,253 | 1,353,169 statewide |
| Medicare Advantage share | 43.6% | 57.9% statewide |
Data: U.S. Census Bureau (2023 population estimates); CMS, September 2026. Medicare Advantage share is enrollees divided by people with Medicare.
Among North Carolina’s 100 counties, Gates County comes in 95th for residents age 65 and up (2,418). Older adults make up 23.4% of the population here; the state figure is 17.6%. The 947 residents now between 60 and 64 will become Medicare-eligible soon, and our turning 65 guide walks through it. Among residents 65 and older, 58% are 65 to 74, 32% are 75 to 84 and 10% are 85 or older (Census 2023 estimates). About 43.6% of people with Medicare in Gates County are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan. That is lower than the North Carolina average of 57.9%. 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 Gates County
The U.S. Department of Agriculture classifies Gates County as a metro county (counties in metro areas of 1 million population or more). 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 2,843 Medicare beneficiaries in Gates 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 Gates County, CMS reported about 729 emergency room visits and 227 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.
Medicare Advantage and Part D plan availability and provider networks are set county by county, so the plans open to you in Gates County may differ from those in a neighboring county. We are not based in Gates County; we help Gates County residents by phone or video call.
Hospitals and doctors near Gates County
CMS Hospital General Information lists no acute care, critical access or children’s hospital located inside Gates County. Residents often use hospitals in neighboring counties, which matters for Medicare Advantage because a plan’s network may include or leave out the hospital you use. We check your hospitals and doctors before you enroll.
Communities and ZIP codes in Gates County
The largest communities in Gates County by 2023 Census population estimates are Gatesville (260). Each figure counts only the people living inside the county.
We look up plans by ZIP code. In Gates County, that means areas such as 27926, 27935, 27937, 27938, 27946, 27969, 27979, based on Census ZIP Code Tabulation Areas that lie mostly in the county.
Questions about Medicare in Gates 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 Gates County residents
Here is what we can help Gates County residents with, drawing on plans from many insurers: Part D drug plans, ACA health insurance, ICHRA, group health insurance, life insurance, final expense insurance, annuities, Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement (Medigap).
Let’s check your Gates County options together
We confirm your doctors and prescriptions before you enroll, at no cost to you.
Get my plan comparisonRead next
- How to read your Medicare Annual Notice of Change
- Does Medicare cover dental, vision and hearing?
- Why a Medicare Advantage plan drops a doctor or drug
- Medicare Parts A, B, C and D explained
Gates County compared with similar North Carolina counties
| County | Residents 65+ | Medicare Advantage share | Dual eligible share | Area type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Camden County | 1,944 | 33.5% | 8% | Metro |
| Anson County | 4,418 | 66.9% | 23% | Metro |
| Madison County | 5,186 | 57.3% | 19% | Metro |
| Currituck County | 5,722 | 33.0% | 8% | Metro |
| Hoke County | 6,616 | 58.8% | 18% | Metro |
| Alexander County | 7,554 | 64.2% | 13% | Metro |
See every North Carolina county in our North Carolina directory or go to our North Carolina Medicare hub.