Medicare in Hancock County by the numbers
| Hancock County | West Virginia | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents age 65 and older | 7,010 | 380,679 statewide |
| Share of residents age 65+ | 24.9% | 21.5% statewide |
| People with Medicare | 8,233 | 458,491 statewide |
| Enrolled in Medicare Advantage | 3,967 | 259,694 statewide |
| Medicare Advantage share | 48.2% | 56.6% statewide |
Figures come from the Census Bureau and CMS (September 2026).
Hancock County ranks 19th of 55 West Virginia counties by number of residents age 65 and older, with about 7,010 people in that age group, or 24.9% of residents (statewide: 21.5%). Another 2,216 residents are age 60 to 64 and will reach Medicare eligibility within about five years (see our turning 65 guide). Among residents 65 and older, 59% are 65 to 74, 30% are 75 to 84 and 11% are 85 or older (Census 2023 estimates). CMS data show 48.2% of Hancock County residents with Medicare chose Medicare Advantage, which is lower than the 56.6% average across West Virginia. 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 Hancock County
The U.S. Department of Agriculture classifies Hancock 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 8,318 Medicare beneficiaries in Hancock County (2023). Their average age is 74, older than the West Virginia average of 72. About 13% are “dual eligible,” meaning they have both Medicare and Medicaid, lower than the state figure of 20%.
Among people in Original Medicare in Hancock County, CMS reported about 679 emergency room visits and 318 inpatient hospital stays per 1,000 beneficiaries in 2023, which is close to the state average for emergency visits (684) and higher than it for hospital stays (250). About 10% 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.
Insurers choose which counties to serve each year, which means the Medicare Advantage and Part D plans you can pick in Hancock County can be different from the ones offered next door. We are not based in Hancock County; we help Hancock County residents by phone or video call.
Hospitals located in Hancock County
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) lists this hospital in Hancock County:
- Weirton Medical Center — Weirton (acute care; government-owned; emergency services; CMS overall rating 1 of 5)
Being located in the county is not the same as being in your plan’s network. Each Medicare Advantage plan builds its own network, so we confirm that your hospital and your doctors are included before you choose. 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 Hancock County
People in Hancock County live in communities such as Weirton (14,711), Chester (2,113), New Cumberland (984) (2023 population estimates, counting only the part of each community that lies inside the county).
Census ZIP Code Tabulation Areas mostly within Hancock County number 5: 26034, 26047, 26050, 26056, 26062. Your exact ZIP code is what decides which plans you can join.
Questions about Medicare in Hancock 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.
- West Virginia Offices of the Insurance Commissioner: West Virginia’s insurance regulator, including agent license lookup.
Coverage we offer Hancock County residents
Here is what we can help Hancock 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).
Ready to compare plans in Hancock County?
Tell us your doctors and medicines and we will show you what fits. No cost, no pressure.
Get my plan comparisonPlain-English Medicare answers
- 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
Hancock County compared with similar West Virginia counties
| County | Residents 65+ | Medicare Advantage share | Dual eligible share | Area type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Preston County | 7,180 | 56.2% | 19% | Metro |
| Marshall County | 7,187 | 66.6% | 18% | Metro |
| Hampshire County | 5,874 | 46.7% | 19% | Metro |
| Brooke County | 5,495 | 54.5% | 14% | Metro |
| Wayne County | 8,671 | 62.6% | 26% | Metro |
| Fayette County | 9,172 | 61.4% | 24% | Metro |
See every West Virginia county in our West Virginia directory or go to our West Virginia Medicare hub.