Marion County Medicare at a glance
| Marion County | Alabama | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents age 65 and older | 6,329 | 932,312 statewide |
| Share of residents age 65+ | 21.6% | 18.3% statewide |
| People with Medicare | 8,015 | 1,148,442 statewide |
| Enrolled in Medicare Advantage | 3,867 | 706,387 statewide |
| Medicare Advantage share | 48.2% | 61.5% statewide |
Sources: Census Bureau 2023 estimates and CMS Medicare Advantage penetration, September 2026.
Marion County ranks 37th of 67 Alabama counties by number of residents age 65 and older, with about 6,329 people in that age group, or 21.6% of residents (statewide: 18.3%). Another 2,070 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 54% ages 65 to 74, 33% ages 75 to 84 and 13% age 85 and up (Census 2023). Medicare Advantage enrollment in Marion County is 48.2% of people with Medicare, lower than the Alabama average of 61.5%. Averages cannot choose a plan for you. Medicare Advantage and Original Medicare with a Medigap plan each suit different people, depending on doctors, medicines and how you prefer to handle costs, and we compare both at your ZIP code.
Who has Medicare in Marion County
Marion County is a rural county; the U.S. Department of Agriculture describes it as: urban population of fewer than 5,000, not adjacent to a metro area. Rural counties tend to have fewer local hospitals and doctors, so a plan’s network and the distance to care matter a great deal.
CMS counts 7,763 Medicare beneficiaries in Marion County (2023). Their average age is 73, about the same as the Alabama average of 72. About 22% are “dual eligible,” meaning they have both Medicare and Medicaid, higher than the state figure of 14%. 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 Marion County, CMS reported about 709 emergency room visits and 263 inpatient hospital stays per 1,000 beneficiaries in 2023, which is higher than the state average for emergency visits (600) and close to it for hospital stays (247). About 15% 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 Marion County can be different from the ones offered next door. We are not based in Marion County; we help Marion County residents by phone or video call.
Hospitals located in Marion County
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) lists this hospital in Marion County:
- Marion Regional Medical Center — Hamilton (acute care; nonprofit; emergency services; CMS overall rating 3 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.
Communities and ZIP codes in Marion County
People in Marion County live in communities such as Hamilton (6,952), Winfield (4,147), Guin (2,147), Hackleburg (1,438), Bear Creek (1,056), Brilliant (830) (2023 population estimates, counting only the part of each community that lies inside the county).
ZIP codes that fall mostly inside Marion County include 35543, 35548, 35552, 35563, 35564, 35570. Plan availability can change by ZIP code, so have yours ready when we compare plans.
Questions about Medicare in Marion 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.
- Alabama Department of Insurance: Alabama’s insurance regulator, including agent license lookup.
Coverage we offer Marion County residents
Here is what we can help Marion County residents with, drawing on plans from many insurers: ICHRA, group health insurance, life insurance, final expense insurance, annuities, Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement (Medigap), Part D drug plans and ACA health insurance.
Get a clear answer for Marion County
A short call is enough to compare your options. Our help is free to you.
Get my plan comparisonPlain-English Medicare answers
- 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?
Marion County compared with similar Alabama counties
| County | Residents 65+ | Medicare Advantage share | Dual eligible share | Area type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cherokee County | 6,460 | 61.7% | 18% | Rural |
| Winston County | 5,295 | 60.1% | 20% | Rural |
| Randolph County | 4,918 | 59.0% | 18% | Rural |
| Clarke County | 4,683 | 69.3% | 18% | Rural |
| Monroe County | 4,296 | 68.1% | 18% | Rural |
| Fayette County | 3,554 | 62.2% | 21% | Rural |
See every Alabama county in our Alabama directory or go to our Alabama Medicare hub.