Macon County Medicare at a glance
| Macon County | North Carolina | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents age 65 and older | 11,200 | 1,908,489 statewide |
| Share of residents age 65+ | 29.2% | 17.6% statewide |
| People with Medicare | 12,933 | 2,336,840 statewide |
| Enrolled in Medicare Advantage | 5,891 | 1,353,169 statewide |
| Medicare Advantage share | 45.6% | 57.9% statewide |
Sources: Census Bureau 2023 estimates and CMS Medicare Advantage penetration, September 2026.
Among North Carolina’s 100 counties, Macon County comes in 49th for residents age 65 and up (11,200). Older adults make up 29.2% of the population here; the state figure is 17.6%. Another 3,167 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, 57% are 65 to 74, 35% are 75 to 84 and 8% are 85 or older (Census 2023 estimates). Medicare Advantage enrollment in Macon County is 45.6% of people with Medicare, lower than the North Carolina average of 57.9%. 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 Macon County
The USDA classifies Macon County as: urban population of 5,000 to 20,000, not adjacent to a metro area. In counties of this type, people often travel to a larger neighboring county for specialists, so we check whether your plan’s network reaches there.
CMS counts 12,989 Medicare beneficiaries in Macon County (2023). Their average age is 74, about the same as the North Carolina average of 73. About 10% are “dual eligible,” meaning they have both Medicare and Medicaid, lower than the state figure of 13%.
Among people in Original Medicare in Macon County, CMS reported about 364 emergency room visits and 185 inpatient hospital stays per 1,000 beneficiaries in 2023, which is lower than the state average for emergency visits (572) and lower than it for hospital stays (210). 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.
Medicare Advantage and Part D plan availability and provider networks are set county by county, so the plans open to you in Macon County may differ from those in a neighboring county. We are not based in Macon County; we help Macon County residents by phone or video call.
Hospitals located in Macon County
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) lists these hospitals in Macon County:
- Angel Medical Center — Franklin (critical access; nonprofit; emergency services; CMS overall rating 2 of 5)
- Highlands Cashiers Hospital — Highlands (critical access; nonprofit; emergency services)
A hospital being in the county does not mean every plan covers it. Medicare Advantage networks differ by plan, so we check the hospitals and doctors you actually use 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 Macon County
The largest communities in Macon County by 2023 Census population estimates are Franklin (4,328), Highlands (1,101). Each figure counts only the people living inside the county.
Census ZIP Code Tabulation Areas mostly within Macon County number 5: 28734, 28741, 28763, 28775, 28781. Your exact ZIP code is what decides which plans you can join.
Questions about Medicare in Macon 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.
- North Carolina Department of Insurance: North Carolina’s insurance regulator, including agent license lookup.
Coverage we offer Macon County residents
As an independent agency we are not tied to one insurer, so for Macon County residents we can compare life insurance, final expense insurance, annuities, Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement (Medigap), Part D drug plans, ACA health insurance, ICHRA and group health insurance.
Let’s check your Macon County options together
We confirm your doctors and prescriptions before you enroll, at no cost to you.
Get my plan comparisonMedicare guides for Macon County residents
- What happens if you do nothing during open enrollment?
- When can you switch Medicare plans? Every enrollment window
- What Medicare Part D actually costs
- Medigap Plan G vs. Plan N
Macon County compared with similar North Carolina counties
| County | Residents 65+ | Medicare Advantage share | Dual eligible share | Area type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Granville County | 11,428 | 57.4% | 20% | Smaller city/town |
| Sampson County | 10,961 | 63.9% | 15% | Smaller city/town |
| Transylvania County | 10,797 | 51.3% | 8% | Smaller city/town |
| Lee County | 11,634 | 56.5% | 11% | Smaller city/town |
| Beaufort County | 11,674 | 54.3% | 14% | Smaller city/town |
| Columbus County | 10,623 | 60.3% | 18% | Smaller city/town |
See every North Carolina county in our North Carolina directory or go to our North Carolina Medicare hub.