The numbers behind Medicare in Lancaster County
| Lancaster County | Virginia | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents age 65 and older | 4,213 | 1,498,879 statewide |
| Share of residents age 65+ | 38.8% | 17.2% statewide |
| People with Medicare | 4,896 | 1,764,998 statewide |
| Enrolled in Medicare Advantage | 1,583 | 698,851 statewide |
| Medicare Advantage share | 32.3% | 39.6% statewide |
Data: U.S. Census Bureau (2023 population estimates); CMS, September 2026. Medicare Advantage share is enrollees divided by people with Medicare.
Among Virginia’s 133 counties, Lancaster County comes in 80th for residents age 65 and up (4,213). Older adults make up 38.8% of the population here; the state figure is 17.2%. Another 1,037 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, 53% are 65 to 74, 35% are 75 to 84 and 12% are 85 or older (Census 2023 estimates). About 32.3% of people with Medicare in Lancaster County are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan. That is lower than the Virginia average of 39.6%. 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 Lancaster County
The USDA classifies Lancaster County as: urban population of fewer than 5,000, not adjacent to a metro area. With fewer hospitals and clinics close by, the right Medicare plan here is often the one whose network includes the providers you can really reach.
CMS counts 4,776 Medicare beneficiaries in Lancaster County (2023). Their average age is 76, older than the Virginia average of 74. About 7% are “dual eligible,” meaning they have both Medicare and Medicaid, lower than the state figure of 9%.
Among people in Original Medicare in Lancaster County, CMS reported about 590 emergency room visits and 182 inpatient hospital stays per 1,000 beneficiaries in 2023, which is close to the state average for emergency visits (589) and close to it for hospital stays (206). 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.
Insurers choose which counties to serve each year, which means the Medicare Advantage and Part D plans you can pick in Lancaster County can be different from the ones offered next door. We are not based in Lancaster County; we help Lancaster County residents by phone or video call.
Hospitals located in Lancaster County
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) lists this hospital in Lancaster County:
- Rappahannock General Hospital — Kilmarnock (critical access; nonprofit; emergency services; CMS overall rating 4 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.
Lancaster County: communities and ZIP codes
Census Bureau 2023 estimates put the biggest communities in Lancaster County at Kilmarnock (1,367), Irvington (472), White Stone (381), counting only the part of each community inside the county.
ZIP codes that fall mostly inside Lancaster County include 22480, 22503, 22576, 22578. Plan availability can change by ZIP code, so have yours ready when we compare plans.
Questions about Medicare in Lancaster 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.
- Virginia’s Insurance Marketplace, Virginia’s own health insurance exchange, if you are not yet on Medicare.
- Medicare Care Compare for hospitals and doctors.
- Social Security: Medicare to enroll or check status.
- Virginia Bureau of Insurance: Virginia’s insurance regulator, including agent license lookup.
Coverage we offer Lancaster County residents
We work with many carriers, which lets us compare more than one option for Lancaster County households, including Medicare Supplement (Medigap), Part D drug plans, ACA health insurance, ICHRA, group health insurance, life insurance, final expense insurance, annuities and Medicare Advantage.
Get a clear answer for Lancaster County
A short call is enough to compare your options. Our help is free to you.
Get my plan comparisonPlain-English Medicare answers
- 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?
Lancaster County compared with similar Virginia counties
| County | Residents 65+ | Medicare Advantage share | Dual eligible share | Area type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| King George County | 4,198 | 30.1% | 7% | Rural |
| Grayson County | 4,016 | 40.1% | 15% | Rural |
| Northumberland County | 4,646 | 32.8% | 6% | Rural |
| Buchanan County | 4,714 | 65.1% | 25% | Rural |
| Middlesex County | 3,709 | 37.0% | 7% | Rural |
| Northampton County | 3,691 | 44.0% | 13% | Rural |
See every Virginia county in our Virginia directory or go to our Virginia Medicare hub.