Medicare in Allegany County by the numbers
| Allegany County | Maryland | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents age 65 and older | 14,393 | 1,066,384 statewide |
| Share of residents age 65+ | 21.4% | 17.3% statewide |
| People with Medicare | 17,352 | 1,206,222 statewide |
| Enrolled in Medicare Advantage | 3,267 | 298,863 statewide |
| Medicare Advantage share | 18.8% | 24.8% statewide |
Figures come from the Census Bureau and CMS (September 2026).
Among Maryland’s 24 counties, Allegany County comes in 17th for residents age 65 and up (14,393). Older adults make up 21.4% of the population here; the state figure is 17.3%. The 4,509 residents now between 60 and 64 will become Medicare-eligible soon, and our turning 65 guide walks through it. Among residents 65 and older, 54% are 65 to 74, 34% are 75 to 84 and 12% are 85 or older (Census 2023 estimates). CMS data show 18.8% of Allegany County residents with Medicare chose Medicare Advantage, which is lower than the 24.8% average across Maryland. 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 Allegany County
The USDA classifies Allegany County as: urban population of 20,000 or more, adjacent to a metro area. In counties of this type, people often travel to a larger neighboring county for specialists, so we check whether your plan’s network reaches there.
CMS counts 17,691 Medicare beneficiaries in Allegany County (2023). Their average age is 72, about the same as the Maryland average of 73. About 24% are “dual eligible,” meaning they have both Medicare and Medicaid, higher than the state figure of 17%. 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 Allegany County, CMS reported about 680 emergency room visits and 273 inpatient hospital stays per 1,000 beneficiaries in 2023, which is higher than the state average for emergency visits (555) and higher than it for hospital stays (217). 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.
Medicare Advantage and Part D plan availability and provider networks are set county by county, so the plans open to you in Allegany County may differ from those in a neighboring county. We are not based in Allegany County; we help Allegany County residents by phone or video call.
Hospitals located in Allegany County
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) lists this hospital in Allegany County:
- Western Maryland Regional Medical Center — Cumberland (acute care; nonprofit; emergency services; CMS overall rating 4 of 5)
Being located in the county is not the same as being in your plan’s network. Each Medicare Advantage plan builds its own network, so we confirm that your hospital and your doctors are included before you choose. 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 Allegany County
The largest communities in Allegany County by 2023 Census population estimates are Cumberland (18,751), Frostburg (6,963), Westernport (1,777), Lonaconing (984), Midland (478), Barton (458). Each figure counts only the people living inside the county.
Census ZIP Code Tabulation Areas mostly within Allegany County number 13: 21502, 21524, 21529, 21530, 21532, 21540, 21542, 21543, 21545, 21555, 21557, 21560, 21766. Your exact ZIP code is what decides which plans you can join.
Questions about Medicare in Allegany 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.
- Maryland Health Connection, Maryland’s own health insurance exchange, if you are not yet on Medicare.
- Maryland Insurance Administration: Maryland’s insurance regulator, including agent license lookup.
Coverage we offer Allegany County residents
As an independent agency we are not tied to one insurer, so for Allegany County residents we can compare final expense insurance, annuities, Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement (Medigap), Part D drug plans, ACA health insurance, ICHRA, group health insurance and life insurance.
Let’s check your Allegany County options together
We confirm your doctors and prescriptions before you enroll, at no cost 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
Allegany County compared with similar Maryland counties
| County | Residents 65+ | Medicare Advantage share | Dual eligible share | Area type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Worcester County | 15,895 | 25.1% | 14% | Smaller city/town |
| Calvert County | 16,037 | 18.3% | 11% | Metro |
| St. Mary's County | 16,904 | 16.9% | 14% | Metro |
| Talbot County | 11,522 | 15.8% | 11% | Smaller city/town |
| Queen Anne's County | 11,200 | 17.1% | 10% | Metro |
| Wicomico County | 18,040 | 27.3% | 22% | Metro |
See every Maryland county in our Maryland directory or go to our Maryland Medicare hub.