Richmond County Medicare at a glance
| Richmond County | North Carolina | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents age 65 and older | 7,848 | 1,908,489 statewide |
| Share of residents age 65+ | 18.5% | 17.6% statewide |
| People with Medicare | 11,253 | 2,336,840 statewide |
| Enrolled in Medicare Advantage | 7,089 | 1,353,169 statewide |
| Medicare Advantage share | 63.0% | 57.9% statewide |
Figures come from the Census Bureau and CMS (September 2026).
With roughly 7,848 residents age 65 and older, Richmond County is 67th among 100 North Carolina counties for older residents. That group is 18.5% of its population, compared with 17.6% across North Carolina. The 2,748 residents now between 60 and 64 will become Medicare-eligible soon, and our turning 65 guide walks through it. By age, the 65-and-older group splits 60% ages 65 to 74, 32% ages 75 to 84 and 9% age 85 and up (Census 2023). Medicare Advantage enrollment in Richmond County is 63.0% of people with Medicare, higher than the North Carolina average of 57.9%. 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 Richmond County
Richmond County is a smaller-city and town county; the U.S. Department of Agriculture describes it as: urban population of 20,000 or more, 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 10,971 Medicare beneficiaries in Richmond 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 Richmond County, CMS reported about 767 emergency room visits and 221 inpatient hospital stays per 1,000 beneficiaries in 2023, which is higher 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.
Insurers choose which counties to serve each year, which means the Medicare Advantage and Part D plans you can pick in Richmond County can be different from the ones offered next door. We are not based in Richmond County; we help Richmond County residents by phone or video call.
Hospitals and doctors near Richmond County
CMS Hospital General Information lists no acute care, critical access or children’s hospital located inside Richmond 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.
Richmond County: communities and ZIP codes
The largest communities in Richmond County by 2023 Census population estimates are Rockingham (8,890), Hamlet (5,928), Ellerbe (843), Dobbins Heights (684), Hoffman (412), Norman (98). Each figure counts only the people living inside the county.
We look up plans by ZIP code. In Richmond County, that means areas such as 28330, 28338, 28345, 28347, 28367, 28379, based on Census ZIP Code Tabulation Areas that lie mostly in the county.
Questions about Medicare in Richmond 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.
- North Carolina Department of Insurance: North Carolina’s insurance regulator, including agent license lookup.
Coverage we offer Richmond County residents
We work with many carriers, which lets us compare more than one option for Richmond County households, including Medicare Supplement (Medigap), Part D drug plans, ACA health insurance, ICHRA, group health insurance, life insurance, final expense insurance, annuities and Medicare Advantage.
Get a clear answer for Richmond 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
- Medicare Parts A, B, C and D explained
- What Medicare Part D actually costs
- Can I change my Medicare plan after December 7?
Richmond County compared with similar North Carolina counties
| County | Residents 65+ | Medicare Advantage share | Dual eligible share | Area type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pasquotank County | 7,885 | 45.5% | 16% | Smaller city/town |
| Vance County | 8,388 | 68.4% | 27% | Smaller city/town |
| Jackson County | 9,174 | 49.7% | 14% | Smaller city/town |
| Scotland County | 6,359 | 66.0% | 21% | Smaller city/town |
| Watauga County | 9,655 | 46.9% | 9% | Smaller city/town |
| Dare County | 9,720 | 25.6% | 5% | Smaller city/town |
See every North Carolina county in our North Carolina directory or go to our North Carolina Medicare hub.