Medicare in Starr County by the numbers
| Starr County | Texas | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents age 65 and older | 7,412 | 4,188,063 statewide |
| Share of residents age 65+ | 11.2% | 13.7% statewide |
| People with Medicare | 10,642 | 5,048,909 statewide |
| Enrolled in Medicare Advantage | 8,965 | 2,770,279 statewide |
| Medicare Advantage share | 84.2% | 54.9% statewide |
Sources: Census Bureau 2023 estimates and CMS Medicare Advantage penetration, September 2026.
With roughly 7,412 residents age 65 and older, Starr County is 81st among 254 Texas counties for older residents. That group is 11.2% of its population, compared with 13.7% across Texas. The 2,752 residents now between 60 and 64 will become Medicare-eligible soon, and our turning 65 guide walks through it. Among residents 65 and older, 57% are 65 to 74, 34% are 75 to 84 and 10% are 85 or older (Census 2023 estimates). CMS data show 84.2% of Starr County residents with Medicare chose Medicare Advantage, which is higher than the 54.9% average across Texas. 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 Starr County
Starr 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 10,350 Medicare beneficiaries in Starr County (2023). Their average age is 73, about the same as the Texas average of 73. About 58% are “dual eligible,” meaning they have both Medicare and Medicaid, higher than the state figure of 11%. 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 Starr County, CMS reported about 803 emergency room visits and 349 inpatient hospital stays per 1,000 beneficiaries in 2023, which is higher than the state average for emergency visits (580) and higher than it for hospital stays (226). About 23% 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 Starr County can be different from the ones offered next door. We are not based in Starr County; we help Starr County residents by phone or video call.
Hospitals located in Starr County
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) lists this hospital in Starr County:
- Starr County Memorial Hospital — Rio Grande City (acute care; government-owned; emergency services; CMS overall rating 2 of 5)
Being located in the county is not the same as being in your plan’s network. Each Medicare Advantage plan builds its own network, so we confirm that your hospital and your doctors are included before you choose. Ratings are CMS Care Compare overall hospital star ratings; they describe the hospital, not whether a plan covers it. Source: CMS Hospital General Information.
Starr County: communities and ZIP codes
People in Starr County live in communities such as Rio Grande City (15,311), Roma (11,554), Escobares (2,563), La Grulla (1,209) (2023 population estimates, counting only the part of each community that lies inside the county).
We look up plans by ZIP code. In Starr County, that means areas such as 78536, 78545, 78547, 78548, 78582, 78584, 78585, 78588, 78591, based on Census ZIP Code Tabulation Areas that lie mostly in the county.
Questions about Medicare in Starr 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.
- Texas Department of Insurance: Texas’s insurance regulator, including agent license lookup.
Coverage we offer Starr County residents
As an independent agency we are not tied to one insurer, so for Starr County residents we can compare 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 Starr County
A short call is enough to compare your options. Our help is free to you.
Get my plan comparisonPlain-English Medicare answers
- 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
Starr County compared with similar Texas counties
| County | Residents 65+ | Medicare Advantage share | Dual eligible share | Area type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hopkins County | 7,216 | 45.6% | 11% | Smaller city/town |
| Wharton County | 7,745 | 48.0% | 13% | Smaller city/town |
| Hill County | 7,760 | 55.6% | 11% | Smaller city/town |
| Jasper County | 6,982 | 51.8% | 13% | Smaller city/town |
| Fayette County | 6,907 | 34.7% | 6% | Smaller city/town |
| Fannin County | 6,747 | 45.9% | 10% | Smaller city/town |
See every Texas county in our Texas directory or go to our Texas Medicare hub.