The numbers behind Medicare in Union County
| Union County | South Carolina | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents age 65 and older | 5,904 | 1,037,931 statewide |
| Share of residents age 65+ | 22.2% | 19.3% statewide |
| People with Medicare | 7,736 | 1,294,203 statewide |
| Enrolled in Medicare Advantage | 4,686 | 604,910 statewide |
| Medicare Advantage share | 60.6% | 46.7% statewide |
Figures come from the Census Bureau and CMS (September 2026).
Among South Carolina’s 46 counties, Union County comes in 33rd for residents age 65 and up (5,904). Older adults make up 22.2% of the population here; the state figure is 19.3%. Another 1,941 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 59% ages 65 to 74, 31% ages 75 to 84 and 9% age 85 and up (Census 2023). CMS data show 60.6% of Union County residents with Medicare chose Medicare Advantage, which is higher than the 46.7% average across South Carolina. 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 Union County
Union County sits in a metro area, which the USDA defines as counties in metro areas of 250,000 to 1 million population. That usually means more doctors, more hospitals and more plan choices in the area.
CMS counts 7,816 Medicare beneficiaries in Union County (2023). Their average age is 72, about the same as the South Carolina average of 73. About 11% are “dual eligible,” meaning they have both Medicare and Medicaid, higher than the state figure of 7%. 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 Union County, CMS reported about 788 emergency room visits and 225 inpatient hospital stays per 1,000 beneficiaries in 2023, which is higher than the state average for emergency visits (563) and close to it for hospital stays (202). About 9% 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 Union County may have a different set of plans than the counties around it. We are not based in Union County; we help Union County residents by phone or video call.
Hospitals located in Union County
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) lists this hospital in Union County:
- Union Medical Center — Union (acute care; nonprofit; emergency services)
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.
Communities and ZIP codes in Union County
Census Bureau 2023 estimates put the biggest communities in Union County at Union (7,881), Jonesville (821), Lockhart (370), Carlisle (315), counting only the part of each community inside the county.
We look up plans by ZIP code. In Union County, that means areas such as 29321, 29353, 29364, 29379, based on Census ZIP Code Tabulation Areas that lie mostly in the county.
Questions about Medicare in Union 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.
- South Carolina Department of Insurance: South Carolina’s insurance regulator, including agent license lookup.
Coverage we offer Union County residents
As an independent agency we are not tied to one insurer, so for Union County residents we can compare life insurance, final expense insurance, annuities, Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement (Medigap), Part D drug plans, ACA health insurance, ICHRA and group health insurance.
Let’s check your Union County options together
We confirm your doctors and prescriptions before you enroll, at no cost to you.
Get my plan comparisonRead next
- What Medicare Part D actually costs
- Medicare 101 for families
- How to read your Medicare Annual Notice of Change
- When can you switch Medicare plans? Every enrollment window
Union County compared with similar South Carolina counties
| County | Residents 65+ | Medicare Advantage share | Dual eligible share | Area type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Edgefield County | 5,677 | 50.1% | 7% | Metro |
| Chester County | 6,384 | 55.0% | 11% | Metro |
| Fairfield County | 5,103 | 54.7% | 11% | Metro |
| Saluda County | 4,015 | 40.4% | 10% | Metro |
| Calhoun County | 3,569 | 49.5% | 9% | Metro |
| Jasper County | 8,375 | 38.7% | 5% | Metro |
See every South Carolina county in our South Carolina directory or go to our South Carolina Medicare hub.