The numbers behind Medicare in Wexford County
| Wexford County | Michigan | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents age 65 and older | 7,189 | 1,926,752 statewide |
| Share of residents age 65+ | 21.1% | 19.2% statewide |
| People with Medicare | 9,369 | 2,334,917 statewide |
| Enrolled in Medicare Advantage | 6,133 | 1,484,072 statewide |
| Medicare Advantage share | 65.5% | 63.6% statewide |
Figures come from the Census Bureau and CMS (September 2026).
With roughly 7,189 residents age 65 and older, Wexford County is 55th among 83 Michigan counties for older residents. That group is 21.1% of its population, compared with 19.2% across Michigan. About 2,544 more people are 60 to 64 and are heading toward Medicare; our turning 65 guide explains their first steps. By age, the 65-and-older group splits 60% ages 65 to 74, 30% ages 75 to 84 and 9% age 85 and up (Census 2023). CMS data show 65.5% of Wexford County residents with Medicare chose Medicare Advantage, which is close to the 63.6% average across Michigan. 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 Wexford County
Wexford 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 9,249 Medicare beneficiaries in Wexford County (2023). Their average age is 71, about the same as the Michigan average of 72. About 25% 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 Wexford County, CMS reported about 590 emergency room visits and 172 inpatient hospital stays per 1,000 beneficiaries in 2023, which is close to the state average for emergency visits (645) and lower than it for hospital stays (245). About 8% 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 Wexford County can be different from the ones offered next door. We are not based in Wexford County; we help Wexford County residents by phone or video call.
Hospitals located in Wexford County
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) lists this hospital in Wexford County:
- Munson Healthcare Cadillac Hospital — Cadillac (acute care; nonprofit; emergency services; CMS overall rating 4 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 Wexford County
Census Bureau 2023 estimates put the biggest communities in Wexford County at Cadillac (10,430), Manton (1,449), Buckley (772), Mesick (403), Harrietta (157), counting only the part of each community inside the county.
Census ZIP Code Tabulation Areas mostly within Wexford County number 5: 49601, 49618, 49638, 49663, 49668. Your exact ZIP code is what decides which plans you can join.
Questions about Medicare in Wexford 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.
- HealthCare.gov if you are not yet on Medicare.
- Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services: Michigan’s insurance regulator, including agent license lookup.
Coverage we offer Wexford County residents
We work with many carriers, which lets us compare more than one option for Wexford County households, including Part D drug plans, ACA health insurance, ICHRA, group health insurance, life insurance, final expense insurance, annuities, Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement (Medigap).
Ready to compare plans in Wexford County?
Tell us your doctors and medicines and we will show you what fits. No cost, no pressure.
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Wexford County compared with similar Michigan counties
| County | Residents 65+ | Medicare Advantage share | Dual eligible share | Area type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chippewa County | 7,207 | 56.1% | 18% | Smaller city/town |
| Manistee County | 7,368 | 63.0% | 19% | Smaller city/town |
| Charlevoix County | 7,377 | 56.6% | 14% | Smaller city/town |
| Alpena County | 7,403 | 57.6% | 21% | Smaller city/town |
| Gratiot County | 7,437 | 67.6% | 22% | Smaller city/town |
| Houghton County | 6,911 | 53.3% | 14% | Smaller city/town |
See every Michigan county in our Michigan directory or go to our Michigan Medicare hub.