Medicare in Madison County by the numbers
| Madison County | North Carolina | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents age 65 and older | 5,186 | 1,908,489 statewide |
| Share of residents age 65+ | 23.5% | 17.6% statewide |
| People with Medicare | 6,378 | 2,336,840 statewide |
| Enrolled in Medicare Advantage | 3,656 | 1,353,169 statewide |
| Medicare Advantage share | 57.3% | 57.9% statewide |
Figures come from the Census Bureau and CMS (September 2026).
Among North Carolina’s 100 counties, Madison County comes in 79th for residents age 65 and up (5,186). Older adults make up 23.5% of the population here; the state figure is 17.6%. Another 1,615 residents are age 60 to 64 and will reach Medicare eligibility within about five years (see our turning 65 guide). Census 2023 estimates show 58% of the 65-plus population is under 75, 32% is 75 to 84 and 10% is 85 or older. CMS data show 57.3% of Madison County residents with Medicare chose Medicare Advantage, which is close to the 57.9% average across North Carolina. 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 Madison County
The U.S. Department of Agriculture classifies Madison County as a metro county (counties in metro areas of 250,000 to 1 million 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 6,461 Medicare beneficiaries in Madison County (2023). Their average age is 72, about the same as the North Carolina average of 73. About 19% are “dual eligible,” meaning they have both Medicare and Medicaid, higher than the state figure of 13%. 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 Madison County, CMS reported about 400 emergency room visits and 208 inpatient hospital stays per 1,000 beneficiaries in 2023, which is lower than the state average for emergency visits (572) and close to it for hospital stays (210). About 7% 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.
Where you live decides which Medicare Advantage and Part D plans you can join, and Madison County may have a different set of plans than the counties around it. We are not based in Madison County; we help Madison County residents by phone or video call.
Hospitals and doctors near Madison County
CMS Hospital General Information lists no acute care, critical access or children’s hospital located inside Madison 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.
Madison County: communities and ZIP codes
Census Bureau 2023 estimates put the biggest communities in Madison County at Mars Hill (2,222), Marshall (807), Hot Springs (538), counting only the part of each community inside the county.
ZIP codes that fall mostly inside Madison County include 28743, 28753, 28754. Plan availability can change by ZIP code, so have yours ready when we compare plans.
Questions about Medicare in Madison 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.
- North Carolina Department of Insurance: North Carolina’s insurance regulator, including agent license lookup.
Coverage we offer Madison County residents
We work with many carriers, which lets us compare more than one option for Madison County households, including annuities, Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement (Medigap), Part D drug plans, ACA health insurance, ICHRA, group health insurance, life insurance and final expense insurance.
Ready to compare plans in Madison County?
Tell us your doctors and medicines and we will show you what fits. No cost, no pressure.
Get my plan comparisonMedicare guides for Madison County residents
- Why a Medicare Advantage plan drops a doctor or drug
- Can I change my Medicare plan after December 7?
- What happens if you do nothing during open enrollment?
- Medicare Parts A, B, C and D explained
Madison County compared with similar North Carolina counties
| County | Residents 65+ | Medicare Advantage share | Dual eligible share | Area type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Currituck County | 5,722 | 33.0% | 8% | Metro |
| Anson County | 4,418 | 66.9% | 23% | Metro |
| Hoke County | 6,616 | 58.8% | 18% | Metro |
| Alexander County | 7,554 | 64.2% | 13% | Metro |
| Gates County | 2,418 | 43.6% | 13% | Metro |
| Yadkin County | 8,062 | 74.9% | 15% | Metro |
See every North Carolina county in our North Carolina directory or go to our North Carolina Medicare hub.