Wetzel County Medicare at a glance
| Wetzel County | West Virginia | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents age 65 and older | 3,224 | 380,679 statewide |
| Share of residents age 65+ | 23.2% | 21.5% statewide |
| People with Medicare | 3,889 | 458,491 statewide |
| Enrolled in Medicare Advantage | 2,460 | 259,694 statewide |
| Medicare Advantage share | 63.3% | 56.6% statewide |
Figures come from the Census Bureau and CMS (September 2026).
Wetzel County ranks 41st of 55 West Virginia counties by number of residents age 65 and older, with about 3,224 people in that age group, or 23.2% of residents (statewide: 21.5%). About 1,051 more people are 60 to 64 and are heading toward Medicare; our turning 65 guide explains their first steps. Among residents 65 and older, 55% are 65 to 74, 34% are 75 to 84 and 11% are 85 or older (Census 2023 estimates). CMS data show 63.3% of Wetzel County residents with Medicare chose Medicare Advantage, which is higher than the 56.6% average across West Virginia. 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 Wetzel County
Wetzel 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, not 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 4,254 Medicare beneficiaries in Wetzel 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 Wetzel County, CMS reported about 864 emergency room visits and 285 inpatient hospital stays per 1,000 beneficiaries in 2023, which is higher than the state average for emergency visits (684) and higher than it for hospital stays (250). 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 Wetzel County can be different from the ones offered next door. We are not based in Wetzel County; we help Wetzel County residents by phone or video call.
Hospitals located in Wetzel County
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) lists this hospital in Wetzel County:
- Wetzel County Hospital — New Martinsville (acute care; government-owned; emergency services; CMS overall rating 3 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.
Wetzel County: communities and ZIP codes
People in Wetzel County live in communities such as New Martinsville (5,087), Paden City (1,627), Pine Grove (344), Hundred (242), Smithfield (96) (2023 population estimates, counting only the part of each community that lies inside the county).
ZIP codes that fall mostly inside Wetzel County include 26155, 26159, 26162, 26167, 26348, 26377, 26419, 26437, 26562, 26575, 26581. Plan availability can change by ZIP code, so have yours ready when we compare plans.
Questions about Medicare in Wetzel 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.
- West Virginia Offices of the Insurance Commissioner: West Virginia’s insurance regulator, including agent license lookup.
Coverage we offer Wetzel County residents
Here is what we can help Wetzel County 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.
Ready to compare plans in Wetzel County?
Tell us your doctors and medicines and we will show you what fits. No cost, no pressure.
Get my plan comparisonMedicare guides for Wetzel County residents
- Do you really need a Medicare agent?
- Medicare 101 for families
- Medicare Advantage vs. Medigap: how to choose
- Can I change my Medicare plan after December 7?
Wetzel County compared with similar West Virginia counties
| County | Residents 65+ | Medicare Advantage share | Dual eligible share | Area type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Taylor County | 3,573 | 54.2% | 21% | Smaller city/town |
| Upshur County | 5,257 | 60.0% | 20% | Smaller city/town |
| 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 |
| Logan County | 7,044 | 65.3% | 29% | Smaller city/town |
See every West Virginia county in our West Virginia directory or go to our West Virginia Medicare hub.