The numbers behind Medicare in Sterling County
| Sterling County | Texas | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents age 65 and older | 208 | 4,188,063 statewide |
| Share of residents age 65+ | 14.9% | 13.7% statewide |
| People with Medicare | 258 | 5,048,909 statewide |
| Enrolled in Medicare Advantage | 71 | 2,770,279 statewide |
| Medicare Advantage share | 27.5% | 54.9% statewide |
Sources: Census Bureau 2023 estimates and CMS Medicare Advantage penetration, September 2026.
Sterling County ranks 246th of 254 Texas counties by number of residents age 65 and older, with about 208 people in that age group, or 14.9% of residents (statewide: 13.7%). About 80 more people are 60 to 64 and are heading toward Medicare; our turning 65 guide explains their first steps. Census 2023 estimates show 59% of the 65-plus population is under 75, 27% is 75 to 84 and 14% is 85 or older. About 27.5% of people with Medicare in Sterling County are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan. That is lower than the Texas average of 54.9%. 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 Sterling County
Sterling 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 247 Medicare beneficiaries in Sterling County (2023). Their average age is 74, about the same as the Texas average of 73. About 14% are “dual eligible,” meaning they have both Medicare and Medicaid, close to the state figure of 11%.
Among people in Original Medicare in Sterling County, CMS reported about 587 emergency room visits and 290 inpatient hospital stays per 1,000 beneficiaries in 2023, which is close to the state average for emergency visits (580) and higher than it for hospital stays (226). About 12% 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.
Where you live decides which Medicare Advantage and Part D plans you can join, and Sterling County may have a different set of plans than the counties around it. We are not based in Sterling County; we help Sterling County residents by phone or video call.
Hospitals and doctors near Sterling County
CMS Hospital General Information lists no acute care, critical access or children’s hospital located inside Sterling 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.
Communities and ZIP codes in Sterling County
Census Bureau 2023 estimates put the biggest communities in Sterling County at Sterling City (1,138), counting only the part of each community inside the county.
Census ZIP Code Tabulation Areas mostly within Sterling County number 1: 76951. Your exact ZIP code is what decides which plans you can join.
Questions about Medicare in Sterling 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 Sterling County residents
As an independent agency we are not tied to one insurer, so for Sterling 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).
Get a clear answer for Sterling County
A short call is enough to compare your options. Our help is free to you.
Get my plan comparisonRead next
- Why a Medicare Advantage plan drops a doctor or drug
- Medicare Parts A, B, C and D explained
- How to read your Medicare Annual Notice of Change
- Does Medicare cover dental, vision and hearing?
Sterling County compared with similar Texas counties
| County | Residents 65+ | Medicare Advantage share | Dual eligible share | Area type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Terrell County | 214 | 41.2% | 14% | Rural |
| Kent County | 189 | 41.9% | 14% | Rural |
| Roberts County | 182 | 29.0% | n/a | Rural |
| Glasscock County | 174 | 18.7% | n/a | Rural |
| Foard County | 274 | 36.5% | 21% | Rural |
| Borden County | 142 | 24.8% | n/a | Rural |
See every Texas county in our Texas directory or go to our Texas Medicare hub.