Swain County Medicare at a glance
| Swain County | North Carolina | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents age 65 and older | 2,795 | 1,908,489 statewide |
| Share of residents age 65+ | 20.1% | 17.6% statewide |
| People with Medicare | 4,272 | 2,336,840 statewide |
| Enrolled in Medicare Advantage | 1,867 | 1,353,169 statewide |
| Medicare Advantage share | 43.7% | 57.9% statewide |
Sources: Census Bureau 2023 estimates and CMS Medicare Advantage penetration, September 2026.
Swain County ranks 94th of 100 North Carolina counties by number of residents age 65 and older, with about 2,795 people in that age group, or 20.1% of residents (statewide: 17.6%). Another 978 residents are age 60 to 64 and will reach Medicare eligibility within about five years (see our turning 65 guide). By age, the 65-and-older group splits 56% ages 65 to 74, 34% ages 75 to 84 and 10% age 85 and up (Census 2023). CMS data show 43.7% of Swain County residents with Medicare chose Medicare Advantage, which is lower than the 57.9% average across North Carolina. 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 Swain County
Swain County is a rural county; the U.S. Department of Agriculture describes it as: urban population of fewer than 5,000, not adjacent to a metro area. Rural counties tend to have fewer local hospitals and doctors, so a plan’s network and the distance to care matter a great deal.
CMS counts 4,104 Medicare beneficiaries in Swain County (2023). Their average age is 72, about the same as the North Carolina average of 73. About 17% 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 Swain County, CMS reported about 533 emergency room visits and 218 inpatient hospital stays per 1,000 beneficiaries in 2023, which is close to the state average for emergency visits (572) and close to it for hospital stays (210). About 5% 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 Swain County can be different from the ones offered next door. We are not based in Swain County; we help Swain County residents by phone or video call.
Hospitals located in Swain County
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) lists these hospitals in Swain County:
- Cherokee Indian Hospital Authority — Cherokee (acute care; government-owned; emergency services)
- DLP Swain County Hospital — Bryson City (critical access; nonprofit; emergency services)
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.
Communities and ZIP codes in Swain County
The largest communities in Swain County by 2023 Census population estimates are Bryson City (1,510). Each figure counts only the people living inside the county.
Census ZIP Code Tabulation Areas mostly within Swain County number 2: 28713, 28719. Your exact ZIP code is what decides which plans you can join.
Questions about Medicare in Swain 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 Swain County residents
Here is what we can help Swain County residents with, drawing on plans from many insurers: ACA health insurance, ICHRA, group health insurance, life insurance, final expense insurance, annuities, Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement (Medigap) and Part D drug plans.
Get a clear answer for Swain County
A short call is enough to compare your options. Our help is free to you.
Get my plan comparisonRead next
- What happens if you do nothing during open enrollment?
- Medicare 101 for families
- Why a Medicare Advantage plan drops a doctor or drug
- When can you switch Medicare plans? Every enrollment window
Swain County compared with similar North Carolina counties
| County | Residents 65+ | Medicare Advantage share | Dual eligible share | Area type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington County | 3,088 | 55.8% | 16% | Rural |
| Jones County | 2,309 | 61.4% | 17% | Rural |
| Alleghany County | 3,301 | 57.5% | 13% | Rural |
| Graham County | 2,046 | 58.2% | 21% | Rural |
| Greene County | 3,673 | 61.9% | 20% | Rural |
| Chowan County | 3,699 | 44.4% | 13% | Rural |
See every North Carolina county in our North Carolina directory or go to our North Carolina Medicare hub.