Medicare in Leelanau County by the numbers
| Leelanau County | Michigan | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents age 65 and older | 7,962 | 1,926,752 statewide |
| Share of residents age 65+ | 34.6% | 19.2% statewide |
| People with Medicare | 8,794 | 2,334,917 statewide |
| Enrolled in Medicare Advantage | 5,041 | 1,484,072 statewide |
| Medicare Advantage share | 57.3% | 63.6% statewide |
Figures come from the Census Bureau and CMS (September 2026).
Leelanau County ranks 47th of 83 Michigan counties by number of residents age 65 and older, with about 7,962 people in that age group, or 34.6% of residents (statewide: 19.2%). About 2,202 more people are 60 to 64 and are heading toward Medicare; our turning 65 guide explains their first steps. Among residents 65 and older, 61% are 65 to 74, 30% are 75 to 84 and 9% are 85 or older (Census 2023 estimates). CMS data show 57.3% of Leelanau County residents with Medicare chose Medicare Advantage, which is lower than the 63.6% average across Michigan. 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 Leelanau County
The U.S. Department of Agriculture classifies Leelanau 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 8,382 Medicare beneficiaries in Leelanau County (2023). Their average age is 74, older than the Michigan average of 72. About 7% are “dual eligible,” meaning they have both Medicare and Medicaid, lower than the state figure of 20%.
Among people in Original Medicare in Leelanau County, CMS reported about 382 emergency room visits and 160 inpatient hospital stays per 1,000 beneficiaries in 2023, which is lower than the state average for emergency visits (645) and lower than it for hospital stays (245). About 6% 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 Leelanau County can be different from the ones offered next door. We are not based in Leelanau County; we help Leelanau County residents by phone or video call.
Hospitals and doctors near Leelanau County
CMS Hospital General Information lists no acute care, critical access or children’s hospital located inside Leelanau 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 Leelanau County
People in Leelanau County live in communities such as Suttons Bay (586), Northport (502), Empire (358), Traverse City (348) (2023 population estimates, counting only the part of each community that lies inside the county).
ZIP codes that fall mostly inside Leelanau County include 49621, 49630, 49636, 49653, 49654, 49664, 49670, 49674, 49682, 49684. Plan availability can change by ZIP code, so have yours ready when we compare plans.
Questions about Medicare in Leelanau 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.
- Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services: Michigan’s insurance regulator, including agent license lookup.
Coverage we offer Leelanau County residents
As an independent agency we are not tied to one insurer, so for Leelanau County residents we can compare final expense insurance, annuities, Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement (Medigap), Part D drug plans, ACA health insurance, ICHRA, group health insurance and life insurance.
Ready to compare plans in Leelanau County?
Tell us your doctors and medicines and we will show you what fits. No cost, no pressure.
Get my plan comparisonRead next
- Medicare Advantage vs. Medigap: how to choose
- Medigap Plan G vs. Plan N
- Why a Medicare Advantage plan drops a doctor or drug
- Can I change my Medicare plan after December 7?
Leelanau County compared with similar Michigan counties
| County | Residents 65+ | Medicare Advantage share | Dual eligible share | Area type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Benzie County | 5,392 | 60.5% | 14% | Metro |
| Ionia County | 10,886 | 74.4% | 25% | Metro |
| Kalkaska County | 4,145 | 63.8% | 23% | Metro |
| Cass County | 11,910 | 53.7% | 13% | Metro |
| Montcalm County | 12,630 | 71.7% | 22% | Metro |
| Barry County | 12,828 | 67.6% | 13% | Metro |
See every Michigan county in our Michigan directory or go to our Michigan Medicare hub.