Medicare in Upson County by the numbers
| Upson County | Georgia | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents age 65 and older | 5,303 | 1,696,217 statewide |
| Share of residents age 65+ | 18.8% | 15.4% statewide |
| People with Medicare | 6,875 | 2,041,931 statewide |
| Enrolled in Medicare Advantage | 4,486 | 1,148,032 statewide |
| Medicare Advantage share | 65.3% | 56.2% statewide |
Figures come from the Census Bureau and CMS (September 2026).
With roughly 5,303 residents age 65 and older, Upson County is 69th among 159 Georgia counties for older residents. That group is 18.8% of its population, compared with 15.4% across Georgia. Another 1,973 residents are age 60 to 64 and will reach Medicare eligibility within about five years (see our turning 65 guide). Among residents 65 and older, 59% are 65 to 74, 32% are 75 to 84 and 9% are 85 or older (Census 2023 estimates). CMS data show 65.3% of Upson County residents with Medicare chose Medicare Advantage, which is higher than the 56.2% average across Georgia. Averages cannot choose a plan for you. Medicare Advantage and Original Medicare with a Medigap plan each suit different people, depending on doctors, medicines and how you prefer to handle costs, and we compare both at your ZIP code.
Who has Medicare in Upson County
Upson County is a smaller-city and town county; the U.S. Department of Agriculture describes it as: urban population of 5,000 to 20,000, 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 6,977 Medicare beneficiaries in Upson County (2023). Their average age is 72, about the same as the Georgia average of 73. About 21% are “dual eligible,” meaning they have both Medicare and Medicaid, higher than the state figure of 12%. 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 Upson County, CMS reported about 623 emergency room visits and 220 inpatient hospital stays per 1,000 beneficiaries in 2023, which is close to the state average for emergency visits (560) and close to it for hospital stays (223). 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.
Insurers choose which counties to serve each year, which means the Medicare Advantage and Part D plans you can pick in Upson County can be different from the ones offered next door. We are not based in Upson County; we help Upson County residents by phone or video call.
Hospitals located in Upson County
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) lists this hospital in Upson County:
- Upson Regional Medical Center — Thomaston (acute care; nonprofit; emergency services; CMS overall rating 1 of 5)
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.
Where people live in Upson County
The largest communities in Upson County by 2023 Census population estimates are Thomaston (9,876), Yatesville (396). Each figure counts only the people living inside the county.
ZIP codes that fall mostly inside Upson County include 30285, 30286, 31097. Plan availability can change by ZIP code, so have yours ready when we compare plans.
Questions about Medicare in Upson 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.
- Georgia Access, Georgia’s own health insurance exchange, if you are not yet on Medicare.
- Georgia Office of Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner: Georgia’s insurance regulator, including agent license lookup.
Coverage we offer Upson County residents
Here is what we can help Upson County residents with, drawing on plans from many insurers: Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement (Medigap), Part D drug plans, ACA health insurance, ICHRA, group health insurance, life insurance, final expense insurance and annuities.
Ready to compare plans in Upson County?
Tell us your doctors and medicines and we will show you what fits. No cost, no pressure.
Get my plan comparisonPlain-English Medicare answers
- What happens if you do nothing during open enrollment?
- When can you switch Medicare plans? Every enrollment window
- What Medicare Part D actually costs
- Medigap Plan G vs. Plan N
Upson County compared with similar Georgia counties
| County | Residents 65+ | Medicare Advantage share | Dual eligible share | Area type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sumter County | 5,305 | 66.3% | 16% | Smaller city/town |
| Decatur County | 5,200 | 61.9% | 18% | Smaller city/town |
| Grady County | 5,107 | 60.8% | 15% | Smaller city/town |
| Wayne County | 5,050 | 57.9% | 15% | Smaller city/town |
| Chattooga County | 4,844 | 68.4% | 18% | Smaller city/town |
| Stephens County | 5,781 | 58.7% | 15% | Smaller city/town |
See every Georgia county in our Georgia directory or go to our Georgia Medicare hub.