The numbers behind Medicare in Zapata County
| Zapata County | Texas | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents age 65 and older | 1,856 | 4,188,063 statewide |
| Share of residents age 65+ | 13.5% | 13.7% statewide |
| People with Medicare | 2,187 | 5,048,909 statewide |
| Enrolled in Medicare Advantage | 1,638 | 2,770,279 statewide |
| Medicare Advantage share | 74.9% | 54.9% statewide |
Figures come from the Census Bureau and CMS (September 2026).
With roughly 1,856 residents age 65 and older, Zapata County is 168th among 254 Texas counties for older residents. That group is 13.5% of its population, compared with 13.7% across Texas. About 600 more people are 60 to 64 and are heading toward Medicare; our turning 65 guide explains their first steps. Census 2023 estimates show 54% of the 65-plus population is under 75, 36% is 75 to 84 and 10% is 85 or older. About 74.9% of people with Medicare in Zapata County are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan. That is higher than the Texas average of 54.9%. 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 Zapata County
Zapata County is a non-metro county with towns and small cities (USDA: urban population of 5,000 to 20,000, adjacent to a metro area). Care is often split between local providers and a bigger hospital elsewhere, which is worth testing against each plan’s network.
CMS counts 2,158 Medicare beneficiaries in Zapata County (2023). Their average age is 73, about the same as the Texas average of 73. About 45% are “dual eligible,” meaning they have both Medicare and Medicaid, higher than the state figure of 11%. 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 Zapata County, CMS reported about 623 emergency room visits and 269 inpatient hospital stays per 1,000 beneficiaries in 2023, which is close to the state average for emergency visits (580) and higher than it for hospital stays (226). 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.
Insurers choose which counties to serve each year, which means the Medicare Advantage and Part D plans you can pick in Zapata County can be different from the ones offered next door. We are not based in Zapata County; we help Zapata County residents by phone or video call.
Hospitals and doctors near Zapata County
CMS Hospital General Information lists no acute care, critical access or children’s hospital located inside Zapata 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.
Communities and ZIP codes in Zapata County
We look up plans by ZIP code. In Zapata County, that means areas such as 78067, 78076, 78564, based on Census ZIP Code Tabulation Areas that lie mostly in the county.
Questions about Medicare in Zapata 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.
- Texas Department of Insurance: Texas’s insurance regulator, including agent license lookup.
Coverage we offer Zapata County residents
As an independent agency we are not tied to one insurer, so for Zapata County residents we can compare 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 Zapata County
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
Zapata County compared with similar Texas counties
| County | Residents 65+ | Medicare Advantage share | Dual eligible share | Area type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andrews County | 1,936 | 50.5% | 17% | Smaller city/town |
| Stephens County | 1,939 | 40.6% | 12% | Smaller city/town |
| Terry County | 1,758 | 59.6% | 18% | Smaller city/town |
| Pecos County | 1,995 | 48.5% | 23% | Smaller city/town |
| Dawson County | 1,692 | 47.9% | 19% | Smaller city/town |
| Gaines County | 2,081 | 37.5% | 21% | Smaller city/town |
See every Texas county in our Texas directory or go to our Texas Medicare hub.