City of Norfolk Medicare at a glance
| City of Norfolk | Virginia | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents age 65 and older | 31,305 | 1,498,879 statewide |
| Share of residents age 65+ | 13.6% | 17.2% statewide |
| People with Medicare | 38,387 | 1,764,998 statewide |
| Enrolled in Medicare Advantage | 19,232 | 698,851 statewide |
| Medicare Advantage share | 50.1% | 39.6% statewide |
Sources: Census Bureau 2023 estimates and CMS Medicare Advantage penetration, September 2026.
With roughly 31,305 residents age 65 and older, City of Norfolk is 9th among 133 Virginia counties for older residents. That group is 13.6% of its population, compared with 17.2% across Virginia. Another 12,652 residents are age 60 to 64 and will reach Medicare eligibility within about five years (see our turning 65 guide). Census 2023 estimates show 63% of the 65-plus population is under 75, 28% is 75 to 84 and 9% is 85 or older. About 50.1% of people with Medicare in City of Norfolk are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan. That is higher than the Virginia average of 39.6%. 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 City of Norfolk
City of Norfolk is a metro county; the U.S. Department of Agriculture describes it as: counties in metro areas of 1 million population or more. Metro counties usually have more hospitals and more insurers competing for Medicare members, so there can be more plans to compare.
CMS counts 37,612 Medicare beneficiaries in City of Norfolk (2023). Their average age is 73, about the same as the Virginia average of 74. About 12% are “dual eligible,” meaning they have both Medicare and Medicaid, higher than the state figure of 9%. 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 City of Norfolk, CMS reported about 681 emergency room visits and 229 inpatient hospital stays per 1,000 beneficiaries in 2023, which is higher than the state average for emergency visits (589) and close to it for hospital stays (206). 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 City of Norfolk may differ from those in a neighboring county. We are not based in City of Norfolk; we help City of Norfolk residents by phone or video call.
Hospitals located in City of Norfolk
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) lists these hospitals in City of Norfolk:
- Childrens Hospital of the Kings Daughters — Norfolk (children's; nonprofit; emergency services)
- Sentara Leigh Hospital — Norfolk (acute care; nonprofit; no emergency department; CMS overall rating 3 of 5)
- Sentara Norfolk General Hospital — Norfolk (acute care; nonprofit; emergency services; CMS overall rating 4 of 5)
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.
Communities and ZIP codes in City of Norfolk
Census Bureau 2023 estimates put the biggest communities in City of Norfolk at Norfolk (230,930), counting only the part of each community inside the county.
Census ZIP Code Tabulation Areas mostly within City of Norfolk number 14: 23502, 23503, 23504, 23505, 23507, 23508, 23509, 23510, 23511, 23513, 23517, 23518, 23523, 23551. Your exact ZIP code is what decides which plans you can join.
Questions about Medicare in City of Norfolk?
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.
- Medicare.gov: Medigap on how Medicare Supplement works.
- Virginia’s Insurance Marketplace, Virginia’s own health insurance exchange, if you are not yet on Medicare.
- Medicare Care Compare for hospitals and doctors.
- Virginia Bureau of Insurance: Virginia’s insurance regulator, including agent license lookup.
Coverage we offer City of Norfolk residents
As an independent agency we are not tied to one insurer, so for City of Norfolk residents we can compare group health insurance, life insurance, final expense insurance, annuities, Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement (Medigap), Part D drug plans, ACA health insurance and ICHRA.
Get a clear answer for City of Norfolk
A short call is enough to compare your options. Our help is free to you.
Get my plan comparisonRead next
- Medicare Parts A, B, C and D explained
- How to read your Medicare Annual Notice of Change
- Does Medicare cover dental, vision and hearing?
- Why a Medicare Advantage plan drops a doctor or drug
City of Norfolk compared with similar Virginia counties
| County | Residents 65+ | Medicare Advantage share | Dual eligible share | Area type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| City of Richmond | 33,293 | 53.1% | 15% | Metro |
| Arlington County | 29,077 | 29.6% | 9% | Metro |
| City of Newport News | 26,600 | 49.9% | 9% | Metro |
| Albemarle County | 24,602 | 22.4% | 5% | Metro |
| City of Chesapeake | 38,077 | 39.9% | 6% | Metro |
| Spotsylvania County | 23,454 | 35.6% | 7% | Metro |
See every Virginia county in our Virginia directory or go to our Virginia Medicare hub.