Marion County Medicare at a glance
| Marion County | South Carolina | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents age 65 and older | 6,253 | 1,037,931 statewide |
| Share of residents age 65+ | 21.9% | 19.3% statewide |
| People with Medicare | 8,192 | 1,294,203 statewide |
| Enrolled in Medicare Advantage | 4,711 | 604,910 statewide |
| Medicare Advantage share | 57.5% | 46.7% statewide |
Figures come from the Census Bureau and CMS (September 2026).
Among South Carolina’s 46 counties, Marion County comes in 32nd for residents age 65 and up (6,253). Older adults make up 21.9% of the population here; the state figure is 19.3%. About 1,921 more people are 60 to 64 and are heading toward Medicare; our turning 65 guide explains their first steps. Census 2023 estimates show 62% of the 65-plus population is under 75, 31% is 75 to 84 and 7% is 85 or older. About 57.5% of people with Medicare in Marion County are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan. That is higher than the South Carolina average of 46.7%. 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 Marion County
Marion County is a smaller-city and town county; the U.S. Department of Agriculture describes it as: urban population of 5,000 to 20,000, adjacent to a metro area. Counties like this often sit between a metro area and rural communities, so some residents use hospitals and specialists in a neighboring county and a plan’s network across the county line matters.
CMS counts 8,355 Medicare beneficiaries in Marion County (2023). Their average age is 72, about the same as the South Carolina average of 73. About 16% are “dual eligible,” meaning they have both Medicare and Medicaid, higher than the state figure of 7%. 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 680 emergency room visits and 236 inpatient hospital stays per 1,000 beneficiaries in 2023, which is higher than the state average for emergency visits (563) and higher than it for hospital stays (202). About 10% 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 Marion County may have a different set of plans than the counties around it. 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:
- MUSC Health Marion Medical Center — Mullins (acute care; government-owned; emergency services; CMS overall rating 3 of 5)
Network rules, not geography, decide whether a plan covers a hospital. We look up the hospitals and doctors you use and check them against each plan 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.
Marion County: communities and ZIP codes
Census Bureau 2023 estimates put the biggest communities in Marion County at Marion (6,195), Mullins (3,885), Nichols (223), Sellers (146), counting only the part of each community inside the county.
ZIP codes that fall mostly inside Marion County include 29519, 29546, 29571, 29574, 29589, 29592. 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.
- HealthCare.gov if you are not yet on Medicare.
- Medicare Care Compare for hospitals and doctors.
- Social Security: Medicare to enroll or check status.
- South Carolina Department of Insurance: South Carolina’s insurance regulator, including agent license lookup.
Coverage we offer Marion County residents
We work with many carriers, which lets us compare more than one option for Marion County households, including ICHRA, group health insurance, life insurance, final expense insurance, annuities, Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement (Medigap), Part D drug plans and ACA health insurance.
Ready to compare plans in Marion County?
Tell us your doctors and medicines and we will show you what fits. No cost, no pressure.
Get my plan comparisonMedicare guides for Marion County residents
- Do you really need a Medicare agent?
- When can you switch Medicare plans? Every enrollment window
- How to read your Medicare Annual Notice of Change
- Medicare 101 for families
Marion County compared with similar South Carolina counties
| County | Residents 65+ | Medicare Advantage share | Dual eligible share | Area type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abbeville County | 5,691 | 50.2% | 8% | Smaller city/town |
| Williamsburg County | 6,987 | 61.0% | 14% | Smaller city/town |
| Marlboro County | 5,094 | 60.7% | 18% | Smaller city/town |
| Dillon County | 4,989 | 59.5% | 17% | Smaller city/town |
| Colleton County | 8,072 | 50.5% | 9% | Smaller city/town |
| Newberry County | 8,125 | 44.7% | 8% | Smaller city/town |
See every South Carolina county in our South Carolina directory or go to our South Carolina Medicare hub.