The numbers behind Medicare in Washington County
| Washington County | Maryland | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents age 65 and older | 28,617 | 1,066,384 statewide |
| Share of residents age 65+ | 18.4% | 17.3% statewide |
| People with Medicare | 34,436 | 1,206,222 statewide |
| Enrolled in Medicare Advantage | 8,306 | 298,863 statewide |
| Medicare Advantage share | 24.1% | 24.8% statewide |
Sources: Census Bureau 2023 estimates and CMS Medicare Advantage penetration, September 2026.
Among Maryland’s 24 counties, Washington County comes in 10th for residents age 65 and up (28,617). Older adults make up 18.4% of the population here; the state figure is 17.3%. Another 10,385 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, 57% are 65 to 74, 31% are 75 to 84 and 12% are 85 or older (Census 2023 estimates). About 24.1% of people with Medicare in Washington County are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan. That is close to the Maryland average of 24.8%. 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 Washington County
Washington 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 34,455 Medicare beneficiaries in Washington County (2023). Their average age is 72, about the same as the Maryland average of 73. About 20% are “dual eligible,” meaning they have both Medicare and Medicaid, close to the state figure of 17%.
Among people in Original Medicare in Washington County, CMS reported about 639 emergency room visits and 236 inpatient hospital stays per 1,000 beneficiaries in 2023, which is higher than the state average for emergency visits (555) and close to it for hospital stays (217). About 7% 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 Washington County can be different from the ones offered next door. We are not based in Washington County; we help Washington County residents by phone or video call.
Hospitals located in Washington County
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) lists this hospital in Washington County:
- Meritus Medical Center — Hagerstown (acute care; 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.
Communities and ZIP codes in Washington County
People in Washington County live in communities such as Hagerstown (43,553), Boonsboro (3,823), Smithsburg (3,149), Williamsport (2,086), Hancock (1,557), Keedysville (1,217) (2023 population estimates, counting only the part of each community that lies inside the county).
We look up plans by ZIP code. In Washington County, that means areas such as 21711, 21713, 21715, 21719, 21722, 21733, 21734, 21740, 21742, 21746, 21750, 21756, 21767, 21779 and 4 more, based on Census ZIP Code Tabulation Areas that lie mostly in the county.
Questions about Medicare in Washington 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.
- Maryland Health Connection, Maryland’s own health insurance exchange, if you are not yet on Medicare.
- Medicare Care Compare for hospitals and doctors.
- Social Security: Medicare to enroll or check status.
- Maryland Insurance Administration: Maryland’s insurance regulator, including agent license lookup.
Coverage we offer Washington County residents
As an independent agency we are not tied to one insurer, so for Washington County residents we can compare ICHRA, group health insurance, life insurance, final expense insurance, annuities, Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement (Medigap), Part D drug plans and ACA health insurance.
Let’s check your Washington County options together
We confirm your doctors and prescriptions before you enroll, at no cost to you.
Get my plan comparisonPlain-English Medicare answers
- Do you really need a Medicare agent?
- Does Medicare cover dental, vision and hearing?
- What happens if you do nothing during open enrollment?
- Medicare 101 for families
Washington County compared with similar Maryland counties
| County | Residents 65+ | Medicare Advantage share | Dual eligible share | Area type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carroll County | 32,310 | 20.5% | 11% | Metro |
| Charles County | 24,347 | 25.0% | 14% | Metro |
| Cecil County | 18,651 | 21.8% | 16% | Metro |
| Wicomico County | 18,040 | 27.3% | 22% | Metro |
| St. Mary's County | 16,904 | 16.9% | 14% | Metro |
| Calvert County | 16,037 | 18.3% | 11% | Metro |
See every Maryland county in our Maryland directory or go to our Maryland Medicare hub.