The numbers behind Medicare in Washington Parish
| Washington Parish | Louisiana | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents age 65 and older | 8,827 | 793,655 statewide |
| Share of residents age 65+ | 19.7% | 17.4% statewide |
| People with Medicare | 11,138 | 977,541 statewide |
| Enrolled in Medicare Advantage | 6,808 | 561,903 statewide |
| Medicare Advantage share | 61.1% | 57.5% statewide |
Sources: Census Bureau 2023 estimates and CMS Medicare Advantage penetration, September 2026.
With roughly 8,827 residents age 65 and older, Washington Parish is 22nd among 64 Louisiana parishes for older residents. That group is 19.7% of its population, compared with 17.4% across Louisiana. The 2,929 residents now between 60 and 64 will become Medicare-eligible soon, and our turning 65 guide walks through it. 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 61.1% of Washington Parish residents with Medicare chose Medicare Advantage, which is close to the 57.5% average across Louisiana. 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 Washington Parish
Washington Parish 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 11,305 Medicare beneficiaries in Washington Parish (2023). Their average age is 72, about the same as the Louisiana average of 72. About 29% are “dual eligible,” meaning they have both Medicare and Medicaid, higher than the state figure of 20%. 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 Parish, CMS reported about 946 emergency room visits and 293 inpatient hospital stays per 1,000 beneficiaries in 2023, which is higher than the state average for emergency visits (648) and higher than it for hospital stays (237). About 16% 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 Washington Parish may differ from those in a neighboring county. We are not based in Washington Parish; we help Washington Parish residents by phone or video call.
Hospitals located in Washington Parish
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) lists these hospitals in Washington Parish:
- Our Lady of the Angels Hospital — Bogalusa (acute care; nonprofit; emergency services; CMS overall rating 4 of 5)
- Riverside Medical Center — Franklinton (critical access; government-owned; emergency services)
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.
Communities and ZIP codes in Washington Parish
Census Bureau 2023 estimates put the biggest communities in Washington Parish at Bogalusa (10,343), Franklinton (3,581), Varnado (321), Angie (251), counting only the part of each community inside the county.
ZIP codes that fall mostly inside Washington Parish include 70426, 70427, 70438, 70450. Plan availability can change by ZIP code, so have yours ready when we compare plans.
Questions about Medicare in Washington Parish?
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.
- Louisiana Department of Insurance: Louisiana’s insurance regulator, including agent license lookup.
Coverage we offer Washington Parish residents
Here is what we can help Washington Parish residents with, drawing on plans from many insurers: ICHRA, group health insurance, life insurance, final expense insurance, annuities, Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement (Medigap), Part D drug plans and ACA health insurance.
Get a clear answer for Washington Parish
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
- Can I change my Medicare plan after December 7?
- Do you really need a Medicare agent?
- Medicare 101 for families
Washington Parish compared with similar Louisiana parishes
| Parish | Residents 65+ | Medicare Advantage share | Dual eligible share | Area type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Mary Parish | 9,165 | 61.3% | 22% | Smaller city/town |
| Webster Parish | 7,340 | 49.2% | 19% | Smaller city/town |
| Avoyelles Parish | 7,092 | 47.9% | 28% | Smaller city/town |
| Lincoln Parish | 7,030 | 46.0% | 17% | Smaller city/town |
| Vernon Parish | 6,645 | 36.6% | 17% | Smaller city/town |
| Natchitoches Parish | 6,283 | 45.8% | 21% | Smaller city/town |
See every Louisiana parish in our Louisiana directory or go to our Louisiana Medicare hub.