The numbers behind Medicare in Upshur County
| Upshur County | West Virginia | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents age 65 and older | 5,257 | 380,679 statewide |
| Share of residents age 65+ | 22.3% | 21.5% statewide |
| People with Medicare | 6,315 | 458,491 statewide |
| Enrolled in Medicare Advantage | 3,788 | 259,694 statewide |
| Medicare Advantage share | 60.0% | 56.6% statewide |
Figures come from the Census Bureau and CMS (September 2026).
Upshur County ranks 27th of 55 West Virginia counties by number of residents age 65 and older, with about 5,257 people in that age group, or 22.3% of residents (statewide: 21.5%). Another 1,580 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 58% ages 65 to 74, 32% ages 75 to 84 and 10% age 85 and up (Census 2023). Medicare Advantage enrollment in Upshur County is 60.0% of people with Medicare, close to the West Virginia average of 56.6%. 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 Upshur County
The USDA classifies Upshur County as: urban population of 5,000 to 20,000, not adjacent to a metro area. In counties of this type, people often travel to a larger neighboring county for specialists, so we check whether your plan’s network reaches there.
CMS counts 6,404 Medicare beneficiaries in Upshur County (2023). Their average age is 72, about the same as the West Virginia average of 72. About 20% are “dual eligible,” meaning they have both Medicare and Medicaid, close to the state figure of 20%.
Among people in Original Medicare in Upshur County, CMS reported about 832 emergency room visits and 231 inpatient hospital stays per 1,000 beneficiaries in 2023, which is higher than the state average for emergency visits (684) and close to it for hospital stays (250). 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 Upshur County may differ from those in a neighboring county. We are not based in Upshur County; we help Upshur County residents by phone or video call.
Hospitals located in Upshur County
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) lists this hospital in Upshur County:
- St. Joseph's Hospital of Buckhannon — Buckhannon (critical access; nonprofit; emergency services; CMS overall rating 3 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.
Where people live in Upshur County
The largest communities in Upshur County by 2023 Census population estimates are Buckhannon (5,055). Each figure counts only the people living inside the county.
We look up plans by ZIP code. In Upshur County, that means areas such as 26201, 26210, 26218, 26228, 26234, 26237, based on Census ZIP Code Tabulation Areas that lie mostly in the county.
Questions about Medicare in Upshur 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.
- West Virginia Offices of the Insurance Commissioner: West Virginia’s insurance regulator, including agent license lookup.
Coverage we offer Upshur County residents
As an independent agency we are not tied to one insurer, so for Upshur 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 Upshur County
A short call is enough to compare your options. Our help is free to you.
Get my plan comparisonPlain-English Medicare answers
- Medicare Advantage vs. Medigap: how to choose
- Medigap Plan G vs. Plan N
- Why a Medicare Advantage plan drops a doctor or drug
- Can I change my Medicare plan after December 7?
Upshur County compared with similar West Virginia counties
| County | Residents 65+ | Medicare Advantage share | Dual eligible share | Area type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mason County | 5,740 | 61.8% | 24% | Smaller city/town |
| Mineral County | 6,202 | 41.1% | 16% | Smaller city/town |
| Randolph County | 6,232 | 54.4% | 21% | Smaller city/town |
| Taylor County | 3,573 | 54.2% | 21% | Smaller city/town |
| Logan County | 7,044 | 65.3% | 29% | Smaller city/town |
| Wetzel County | 3,224 | 63.3% | 20% | Smaller city/town |
See every West Virginia county in our West Virginia directory or go to our West Virginia Medicare hub.