Medicare in Putnam County by the numbers
| Putnam County | West Virginia | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents age 65 and older | 11,687 | 380,679 statewide |
| Share of residents age 65+ | 20.5% | 21.5% statewide |
| People with Medicare | 14,048 | 458,491 statewide |
| Enrolled in Medicare Advantage | 8,261 | 259,694 statewide |
| Medicare Advantage share | 58.8% | 56.6% statewide |
Figures come from the Census Bureau and CMS (September 2026).
Among West Virginia’s 55 counties, Putnam County comes in 9th for residents age 65 and up (11,687). Older adults make up 20.5% of the population here; the state figure is 21.5%. About 3,824 more people are 60 to 64 and are heading toward Medicare; our turning 65 guide explains their first steps. Among residents 65 and older, 59% are 65 to 74, 32% are 75 to 84 and 9% are 85 or older (Census 2023 estimates). About 58.8% of people with Medicare in Putnam County are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan. That is close to the West Virginia average of 56.6%. 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 Putnam County
Putnam County is a metro county; the U.S. Department of Agriculture describes it as: counties in metro areas of 250,000 to 1 million population. Metro counties usually have more hospitals and more insurers competing for Medicare members, so there can be more plans to compare.
CMS counts 13,948 Medicare beneficiaries in Putnam County (2023). Their average age is 72, about the same as the West Virginia average of 72. About 16% are “dual eligible,” meaning they have both Medicare and Medicaid, lower than the state figure of 20%.
Among people in Original Medicare in Putnam County, CMS reported about 629 emergency room visits and 224 inpatient hospital stays per 1,000 beneficiaries in 2023, which is close to the state average for emergency visits (684) and close to it for hospital stays (250). About 8% 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 Putnam County may differ from those in a neighboring county. We are not based in Putnam County; we help Putnam County residents by phone or video call.
Hospitals and doctors near Putnam County
CMS Hospital General Information lists no acute care, critical access or children’s hospital located inside Putnam 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.
Putnam County: communities and ZIP codes
Census Bureau 2023 estimates put the biggest communities in Putnam County at Hurricane (6,806), Winfield (2,368), Eleanor (1,517), Buffalo (1,205), Nitro (1,092), Poca (864), counting only the part of each community inside the county.
Census ZIP Code Tabulation Areas mostly within Putnam County number 11: 25011, 25033, 25070, 25082, 25109, 25124, 25159, 25168, 25213, 25526, 25560. Your exact ZIP code is what decides which plans you can join.
Questions about Medicare in Putnam 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.
- West Virginia Offices of the Insurance Commissioner: West Virginia’s insurance regulator, including agent license lookup.
Coverage we offer Putnam County residents
Here is what we can help Putnam County residents with, drawing on plans from many insurers: final expense insurance, annuities, Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement (Medigap), Part D drug plans, ACA health insurance, ICHRA, group health insurance and life insurance.
Get a clear answer for Putnam County
A short call is enough to compare your options. Our help is free to you.
Get my plan comparisonRead next
- 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
Putnam County compared with similar West Virginia counties
| County | Residents 65+ | Medicare Advantage share | Dual eligible share | Area type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jefferson County | 10,779 | 41.2% | 11% | Metro |
| Ohio County | 9,555 | 55.4% | 16% | Metro |
| Fayette County | 9,172 | 61.4% | 24% | Metro |
| Wayne County | 8,671 | 62.6% | 26% | Metro |
| Monongalia County | 15,092 | 57.1% | 15% | Metro |
| Marshall County | 7,187 | 66.6% | 18% | Metro |
See every West Virginia county in our West Virginia directory or go to our West Virginia Medicare hub.