Jay County Medicare at a glance
| Jay County | Indiana | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents age 65 and older | 3,789 | 1,179,148 statewide |
| Share of residents age 65+ | 18.9% | 17.2% statewide |
| People with Medicare | 4,703 | 1,432,708 statewide |
| Enrolled in Medicare Advantage | 2,360 | 731,624 statewide |
| Medicare Advantage share | 50.2% | 51.1% statewide |
Data: U.S. Census Bureau (2023 population estimates); CMS, September 2026. Medicare Advantage share is enrollees divided by people with Medicare.
With roughly 3,789 residents age 65 and older, Jay County is 76th among 92 Indiana counties for older residents. That group is 18.9% of its population, compared with 17.2% across Indiana. About 1,327 more people are 60 to 64 and are heading toward Medicare; our turning 65 guide explains their first steps. Census 2023 estimates show 59% of the 65-plus population is under 75, 30% is 75 to 84 and 11% is 85 or older. About 50.2% of people with Medicare in Jay County are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan. That is close to the Indiana average of 51.1%. 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 Jay County
Jay 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 4,819 Medicare beneficiaries in Jay County (2023). Their average age is 73, about the same as the Indiana average of 72. About 18% are “dual eligible,” meaning they have both Medicare and Medicaid, close to the state figure of 16%.
Among people in Original Medicare in Jay County, CMS reported about 654 emergency room visits and 239 inpatient hospital stays per 1,000 beneficiaries in 2023, which is close to the state average for emergency visits (619) and close to it for hospital stays (235). About 5% 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 Jay County can be different from the ones offered next door. We are not based in Jay County; we help Jay County residents by phone or video call.
Hospitals located in Jay County
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) lists this hospital in Jay County:
- Indiana University Health Jay — Portland (critical access; government-owned; emergency services; CMS overall rating 5 of 5)
Network rules, not geography, decide whether a plan covers a hospital. We look up the hospitals and doctors you use and check them against each plan 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 Jay County
The largest communities in Jay County by 2023 Census population estimates are Portland (6,187), Dunkirk (1,968), Redkey (1,073), Pennville (615), Bryant (234), Salamonia (148). Each figure counts only the people living inside the county.
ZIP codes that fall mostly inside Jay County include 47326, 47336, 47369, 47371, 47373, 47381. Plan availability can change by ZIP code, so have yours ready when we compare plans.
Questions about Medicare in Jay 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.
- Indiana Department of Insurance: Indiana’s insurance regulator, including agent license lookup.
Coverage we offer Jay County residents
As an independent agency we are not tied to one insurer, so for Jay County residents we can compare ACA health insurance, ICHRA, group health insurance, life insurance, final expense insurance, annuities, Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement (Medigap) and Part D drug plans.
Let’s check your Jay County options together
We confirm your doctors and prescriptions before you enroll, at no cost to you.
Get my plan comparisonMedicare guides for Jay County residents
- What Medicare Part D actually costs
- Can I change my Medicare plan after December 7?
- How to read your Medicare Annual Notice of Change
- Medigap Plan G vs. Plan N
Jay County compared with similar Indiana counties
| County | Residents 65+ | Medicare Advantage share | Dual eligible share | Area type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perry County | 3,820 | 45.3% | 15% | Smaller city/town |
| Scott County | 4,243 | 58.5% | 22% | Smaller city/town |
| Rush County | 3,330 | 46.8% | 15% | Smaller city/town |
| Fulton County | 4,293 | 54.4% | 14% | Smaller city/town |
| Decatur County | 4,830 | 47.9% | 15% | Smaller city/town |
| Jennings County | 4,836 | 56.1% | 23% | Smaller city/town |
See every Indiana county in our Indiana directory or go to our Indiana Medicare hub.