Lincoln County Medicare at a glance
| Lincoln County | West Virginia | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents age 65 and older | 4,266 | 380,679 statewide |
| Share of residents age 65+ | 21.7% | 21.5% statewide |
| People with Medicare | 5,252 | 458,491 statewide |
| Enrolled in Medicare Advantage | 3,782 | 259,694 statewide |
| Medicare Advantage share | 72.0% | 56.6% statewide |
Figures come from the Census Bureau and CMS (September 2026).
Among West Virginia’s 55 counties, Lincoln County comes in 32nd for residents age 65 and up (4,266). Older adults make up 21.7% of the population here; the state figure is 21.5%. Another 1,363 residents are age 60 to 64 and will reach Medicare eligibility within about five years (see our turning 65 guide). By age, the 65-and-older group splits 61% ages 65 to 74, 30% ages 75 to 84 and 8% age 85 and up (Census 2023). Medicare Advantage enrollment in Lincoln County is 72.0% of people with Medicare, higher than the West Virginia average of 56.6%. 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 Lincoln County
The USDA classifies Lincoln County as: urban population of fewer than 5,000, 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 5,580 Medicare beneficiaries in Lincoln County (2023). Their average age is 69, younger than the West Virginia average of 72. About 33% are “dual eligible,” meaning they have both Medicare and Medicaid, higher than the state figure of 20%. Where many people have both, special plans for dual-eligible members can matter; see our Medicaid and dual eligible guide, since availability varies by plan and area.
Among people in Original Medicare in Lincoln County, CMS reported about 653 emergency room visits and 249 inpatient hospital stays per 1,000 beneficiaries in 2023, which is close to the state average for emergency visits (684) and close to it for hospital stays (250). About 9% 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 Lincoln County may differ from those in a neighboring county. We are not based in Lincoln County; we help Lincoln County residents by phone or video call.
Hospitals and doctors near Lincoln County
CMS Hospital General Information lists no acute care, critical access or children’s hospital located inside Lincoln 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 Lincoln County
The largest communities in Lincoln County by 2023 Census population estimates are Hamlin (992), West Hamlin (500). Each figure counts only the people living inside the county.
Census ZIP Code Tabulation Areas mostly within Lincoln County number 14: 25501, 25505, 25506, 25521, 25523, 25524, 25540, 25544, 25557, 25564, 25565, 25567, 25571, 25573. Your exact ZIP code is what decides which plans you can join.
Questions about Medicare in Lincoln 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.
- West Virginia Offices of the Insurance Commissioner: West Virginia’s insurance regulator, including agent license lookup.
Coverage we offer Lincoln County residents
Here is what we can help Lincoln County residents with, drawing on plans from many insurers: final expense insurance, annuities, Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement (Medigap), Part D drug plans, ACA health insurance, ICHRA, group health insurance and life insurance.
Let’s check your Lincoln County options together
We confirm your doctors and prescriptions before you enroll, at no cost to you.
Get my plan comparisonRead next
- Do you really need a Medicare agent?
- Medicare 101 for families
- Medicare Advantage vs. Medigap: how to choose
- Can I change my Medicare plan after December 7?
Lincoln County compared with similar West Virginia counties
| County | Residents 65+ | Medicare Advantage share | Dual eligible share | Area type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| McDowell County | 4,111 | 67.2% | 44% | Rural |
| Mingo County | 4,822 | 69.5% | 35% | Rural |
| Wyoming County | 4,824 | 68.5% | 31% | Rural |
| Lewis County | 3,471 | 60.5% | 24% | Rural |
| Hardy County | 3,424 | 44.8% | 19% | Rural |
| Roane County | 3,347 | 58.3% | 26% | Rural |
See every West Virginia county in our West Virginia directory or go to our West Virginia Medicare hub.