Medicare in Stafford County by the numbers
| Stafford County | Virginia | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents age 65 and older | 19,491 | 1,498,879 statewide |
| Share of residents age 65+ | 11.8% | 17.2% statewide |
| People with Medicare | 23,886 | 1,764,998 statewide |
| Enrolled in Medicare Advantage | 7,431 | 698,851 statewide |
| Medicare Advantage share | 31.1% | 39.6% statewide |
Sources: Census Bureau 2023 estimates and CMS Medicare Advantage penetration, September 2026.
Stafford County ranks 19th of 133 Virginia counties by number of residents age 65 and older, with about 19,491 people in that age group, or 11.8% of residents (statewide: 17.2%). About 9,190 more people are 60 to 64 and are heading toward Medicare; our turning 65 guide explains their first steps. Among residents 65 and older, 61% are 65 to 74, 31% are 75 to 84 and 8% are 85 or older (Census 2023 estimates). Medicare Advantage enrollment in Stafford County is 31.1% of people with Medicare, lower than the Virginia average of 39.6%. Averages cannot choose a plan for you. Medicare Advantage and Original Medicare with a Medigap plan each suit different people, depending on doctors, medicines and how you prefer to handle costs, and we compare both at your ZIP code.
Who has Medicare in Stafford County
Stafford County sits in a metro area, which the USDA defines as counties in metro areas of 1 million population or more. That usually means more doctors, more hospitals and more plan choices in the area.
CMS counts 22,231 Medicare beneficiaries in Stafford County (2023). Their average age is 73, about the same as the Virginia average of 74. About 6% are “dual eligible,” meaning they have both Medicare and Medicaid, lower than the state figure of 9%.
Among people in Original Medicare in Stafford County, CMS reported about 568 emergency room visits and 226 inpatient hospital stays per 1,000 beneficiaries in 2023, which is close to the state average for emergency visits (589) and close to it for hospital stays (206). 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 Stafford County may differ from those in a neighboring county. We are not based in Stafford County; we help Stafford County residents by phone or video call.
Hospitals located in Stafford County
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) lists this hospital in Stafford County:
- Stafford Hospital — Stafford (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.
Where people live in Stafford County
ZIP codes that fall mostly inside Stafford County include 22134, 22405, 22406, 22554, 22556. Plan availability can change by ZIP code, so have yours ready when we compare plans.
Questions about Medicare in Stafford 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 Stafford County residents
As an independent agency we are not tied to one insurer, so for Stafford County 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 Stafford County
A short call is enough to compare your options. Our help is free to you.
Get my plan comparisonMedicare guides for Stafford County residents
- Why a Medicare Advantage plan drops a doctor or drug
- Medigap Plan G vs. Plan N
- Medicare Advantage vs. Medigap: how to choose
- Does Medicare cover dental, vision and hearing?
Stafford County compared with similar Virginia counties
| County | Residents 65+ | Medicare Advantage share | Dual eligible share | Area type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bedford County | 19,470 | 37.3% | 6% | Metro |
| Frederick County | 18,557 | 31.9% | 6% | Metro |
| Augusta County | 18,167 | 30.3% | 6% | Metro |
| City of Alexandria | 20,937 | 29.9% | 8% | Metro |
| Rockingham County | 17,765 | 30.2% | 7% | Metro |
| City of Roanoke | 17,699 | 53.0% | 15% | Metro |
See every Virginia county in our Virginia directory or go to our Virginia Medicare hub.