Medicare in Russell County by the numbers
| Russell County | Virginia | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents age 65 and older | 6,161 | 1,498,879 statewide |
| Share of residents age 65+ | 24.2% | 17.2% statewide |
| People with Medicare | 7,812 | 1,764,998 statewide |
| Enrolled in Medicare Advantage | 5,181 | 698,851 statewide |
| Medicare Advantage share | 66.3% | 39.6% statewide |
Data: U.S. Census Bureau (2023 population estimates); CMS, September 2026. Medicare Advantage share is enrollees divided by people with Medicare.
Russell County ranks 60th of 133 Virginia counties by number of residents age 65 and older, with about 6,161 people in that age group, or 24.2% of residents (statewide: 17.2%). About 1,987 more people are 60 to 64 and are heading toward Medicare; our turning 65 guide explains their first steps. By age, the 65-and-older group splits 59% ages 65 to 74, 32% ages 75 to 84 and 10% age 85 and up (Census 2023). About 66.3% of people with Medicare in Russell County are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan. That is higher than the Virginia average of 39.6%. A county average does not tell you which kind of plan fits you. Whether Medicare Advantage or Original Medicare with a Medigap plan is the better fit depends on your doctors, your prescriptions and how you want to handle costs, so we compare both for your ZIP code.
Who has Medicare in Russell County
Russell County is a rural county (USDA: urban population of fewer than 5,000, adjacent to a metro area). Plan choices can be narrower than in a city, and we focus on networks that include the doctors and hospital you actually use.
CMS counts 8,346 Medicare beneficiaries in Russell County (2023). Their average age is 71, younger than the Virginia average of 74. About 18% 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 Russell County, CMS reported about 681 emergency room visits and 231 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 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.
Medicare Advantage and Part D plan availability and provider networks are set county by county, so the plans open to you in Russell County may differ from those in a neighboring county. We are not based in Russell County; we help Russell County residents by phone or video call.
Hospitals located in Russell County
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) lists this hospital in Russell County:
- Russell County Hospital — Lebanon (acute care; nonprofit; emergency services; CMS overall rating 4 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.
Russell County: communities and ZIP codes
The largest communities in Russell County by 2023 Census population estimates are Lebanon (3,110), Honaker (1,195), St. Paul (160), Cleveland (136). Each figure counts only the people living inside the county.
Census ZIP Code Tabulation Areas mostly within Russell County number 6: 24224, 24225, 24260, 24266, 24280, 24649. Your exact ZIP code is what decides which plans you can join.
Questions about Medicare in Russell 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.
- Virginia’s Insurance Marketplace, Virginia’s own health insurance exchange, if you are not yet on Medicare.
- Medicare Care Compare for hospitals and doctors.
- Social Security: Medicare to enroll or check status.
- Virginia Bureau of Insurance: Virginia’s insurance regulator, including agent license lookup.
Coverage we offer Russell County residents
As an independent agency we are not tied to one insurer, so for Russell County residents we can compare Part D drug plans, ACA health insurance, ICHRA, group health insurance, life insurance, final expense insurance, annuities, Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement (Medigap).
Let’s check your Russell County options together
We confirm your doctors and prescriptions before you enroll, at no cost to you.
Get my plan comparisonPlain-English Medicare answers
- Why a Medicare Advantage plan drops a doctor or drug
- Can I change my Medicare plan after December 7?
- What happens if you do nothing during open enrollment?
- Medicare Parts A, B, C and D explained
Russell County compared with similar Virginia counties
| County | Residents 65+ | Medicare Advantage share | Dual eligible share | Area type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Caroline County | 5,673 | 42.5% | 9% | Rural |
| Page County | 5,426 | 37.3% | 12% | Rural |
| Westmoreland County | 5,335 | 35.5% | 10% | Rural |
| Lee County | 5,149 | 69.9% | 26% | Rural |
| Patrick County | 4,869 | 49.8% | 13% | Rural |
| Buchanan County | 4,714 | 65.1% | 25% | Rural |
See every Virginia county in our Virginia directory or go to our Virginia Medicare hub.