Washington County Medicare at a glance
| Washington County | North Carolina | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents age 65 and older | 3,088 | 1,908,489 statewide |
| Share of residents age 65+ | 28.8% | 17.6% statewide |
| People with Medicare | 3,597 | 2,336,840 statewide |
| Enrolled in Medicare Advantage | 2,006 | 1,353,169 statewide |
| Medicare Advantage share | 55.8% | 57.9% statewide |
Data: U.S. Census Bureau (2023 population estimates); CMS, September 2026. Medicare Advantage share is enrollees divided by people with Medicare.
Among North Carolina’s 100 counties, Washington County comes in 93rd for residents age 65 and up (3,088). Older adults make up 28.8% of the population here; the state figure is 17.6%. About 832 more people are 60 to 64 and are heading toward Medicare; our turning 65 guide explains their first steps. Among residents 65 and older, 59% are 65 to 74, 30% are 75 to 84 and 10% are 85 or older (Census 2023 estimates). Medicare Advantage enrollment in Washington County is 55.8% of people with Medicare, close to the North Carolina average of 57.9%. 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 is a rural county (USDA: urban population of fewer than 5,000, not adjacent to a metro area). Plan choices can be narrower than in a city, and we focus on networks that include the doctors and hospital you actually use.
CMS counts 3,666 Medicare beneficiaries in Washington County (2023). Their average age is 73, about the same as the North Carolina average of 73. About 16% 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 Washington County, CMS reported about 683 emergency room visits and 236 inpatient hospital stays per 1,000 beneficiaries in 2023, which is higher than the state average for emergency visits (572) and higher than it for hospital stays (210). About 6% 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 Washington County may have a different set of plans than the counties around it. 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:
- Washington County Hospital — Plymouth (critical access; for-profit; 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 Washington County
Census Bureau 2023 estimates put the biggest communities in Washington County at Plymouth (3,204), Roper (476), Creswell (202), counting only the part of each community inside the county.
We look up plans by ZIP code. In Washington County, that means areas such as 27928, 27962, 27970, 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.
- HealthCare.gov if you are not yet on Medicare.
- Medicare Care Compare for hospitals and doctors.
- Social Security: Medicare to enroll or check status.
- North Carolina Department of Insurance: North Carolina’s insurance regulator, including agent license lookup.
Coverage we offer Washington County residents
We work with many carriers, which lets us compare more than one option for Washington County households, including annuities, Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement (Medigap), Part D drug plans, ACA health insurance, ICHRA, group health insurance, life insurance and final expense insurance.
Get a clear answer for Washington County
A short call is enough to compare your options. Our help is free to you.
Get my plan comparisonMedicare guides for Washington County residents
- Why a Medicare Advantage plan drops a doctor or drug
- Medicare Parts A, B, C and D explained
- How to read your Medicare Annual Notice of Change
- Does Medicare cover dental, vision and hearing?
Washington County compared with similar North Carolina counties
| County | Residents 65+ | Medicare Advantage share | Dual eligible share | Area type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alleghany County | 3,301 | 57.5% | 13% | Rural |
| Swain County | 2,795 | 43.7% | 17% | Rural |
| Greene County | 3,673 | 61.9% | 20% | Rural |
| Chowan County | 3,699 | 44.4% | 13% | Rural |
| Mitchell County | 3,835 | 56.3% | 17% | Rural |
| Perquimans County | 3,841 | 44.0% | 12% | Rural |
See every North Carolina county in our North Carolina directory or go to our North Carolina Medicare hub.