Medicare in Yancey County by the numbers
| Yancey County | North Carolina | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents age 65 and older | 5,034 | 1,908,489 statewide |
| Share of residents age 65+ | 26.6% | 17.6% statewide |
| People with Medicare | 5,928 | 2,336,840 statewide |
| Enrolled in Medicare Advantage | 3,186 | 1,353,169 statewide |
| Medicare Advantage share | 53.7% | 57.9% statewide |
Data: U.S. Census Bureau (2023 population estimates); CMS, September 2026. Medicare Advantage share is enrollees divided by people with Medicare.
With roughly 5,034 residents age 65 and older, Yancey County is 81st among 100 North Carolina counties for older residents. That group is 26.6% of its population, compared with 17.6% across North Carolina. The 1,436 residents now between 60 and 64 will become Medicare-eligible soon, and our turning 65 guide walks through it. Census 2023 estimates show 57% of the 65-plus population is under 75, 33% is 75 to 84 and 10% is 85 or older. Medicare Advantage enrollment in Yancey County is 53.7% of people with Medicare, close to the North Carolina average of 57.9%. 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 Yancey County
Yancey County is a rural county; the U.S. Department of Agriculture describes it as: urban population of fewer than 5,000, adjacent to a metro area. Rural counties tend to have fewer local hospitals and doctors, so a plan’s network and the distance to care matter a great deal.
CMS counts 5,975 Medicare beneficiaries in Yancey County (2023). Their average age is 73, about the same as the North Carolina average of 73. About 17% 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 Yancey County, CMS reported about 281 emergency room visits and 195 inpatient hospital stays per 1,000 beneficiaries in 2023, which is lower than the state average for emergency visits (572) and close to it for hospital stays (210). 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.
Medicare Advantage and Part D plan availability and provider networks are set county by county, so the plans open to you in Yancey County may differ from those in a neighboring county. We are not based in Yancey County; we help Yancey County residents by phone or video call.
Hospitals and doctors near Yancey County
CMS Hospital General Information lists no acute care, critical access or children’s hospital located inside Yancey County. Residents often use hospitals in neighboring counties, which matters for Medicare Advantage because a plan’s network may include or leave out the hospital you use. We check your hospitals and doctors before you enroll.
Where people live in Yancey County
The largest communities in Yancey County by 2023 Census population estimates are Burnsville (1,623). Each figure counts only the people living inside the county.
ZIP codes that fall mostly inside Yancey County include 28714, 28740, 28755. Plan availability can change by ZIP code, so have yours ready when we compare plans.
Questions about Medicare in Yancey 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 Yancey County residents
We work with many carriers, which lets us compare more than one option for Yancey 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).
Get a clear answer for Yancey County
A short call is enough to compare your options. Our help is free to you.
Get my plan comparisonMedicare guides for Yancey 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?
Yancey County compared with similar North Carolina counties
| County | Residents 65+ | Medicare Advantage share | Dual eligible share | Area type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northampton County | 5,096 | 59.5% | 19% | Rural |
| Warren County | 5,232 | 66.5% | 18% | Rural |
| Caswell County | 5,356 | 65.1% | 22% | Rural |
| Hertford County | 4,485 | 58.5% | 23% | Rural |
| Bertie County | 4,432 | 56.1% | 23% | Rural |
| Avery County | 4,248 | 55.3% | 15% | Rural |
See every North Carolina county in our North Carolina directory or go to our North Carolina Medicare hub.