Medicare in Baltimore City by the numbers
| Baltimore City | Maryland | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents age 65 and older | 89,474 | 1,066,384 statewide |
| Share of residents age 65+ | 15.8% | 17.3% statewide |
| People with Medicare | 102,992 | 1,206,222 statewide |
| Enrolled in Medicare Advantage | 37,935 | 298,863 statewide |
| Medicare Advantage share | 36.8% | 24.8% statewide |
Figures come from the Census Bureau and CMS (September 2026).
With roughly 89,474 residents age 65 and older, Baltimore City is 5th among 24 Maryland counties for older residents. That group is 15.8% of its population, compared with 17.3% across Maryland. Another 34,572 residents are age 60 to 64 and will reach Medicare eligibility within about five years (see our turning 65 guide). Census 2023 estimates show 62% of the 65-plus population is under 75, 29% is 75 to 84 and 10% is 85 or older. Medicare Advantage enrollment in Baltimore City is 36.8% of people with Medicare, higher than the Maryland average of 24.8%. 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 Baltimore City
The U.S. Department of Agriculture classifies Baltimore City as a metro county (counties in metro areas of 1 million population or more). Counties like this tend to have a wider choice of hospitals and Medicare plans than rural ones, though networks still differ plan by plan.
CMS counts 105,059 Medicare beneficiaries in Baltimore City (2023). Their average age is 70, younger than the Maryland average of 73. About 36% 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 Baltimore City, CMS reported about 822 emergency room visits and 304 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.
Where you live decides which Medicare Advantage and Part D plans you can join, and Baltimore City may have a different set of plans than the counties around it. We are not based in Baltimore City; we help Baltimore City residents by phone or video call.
Hospitals located in Baltimore City
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) lists these hospitals in Baltimore City:
- Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center — Baltimore (acute care; nonprofit; emergency services; CMS overall rating 3 of 5)
- The Johns Hopkins Hospital — Baltimore (acute care; nonprofit; emergency services; CMS overall rating 5 of 5)
- Kennedy Krieger Institute — Baltimore (children's; nonprofit; emergency services)
- Levindale Hebrew Geriatric Center and Hospital — Baltimore (acute care; nonprofit; no emergency department)
- MedStar Good Samaritan Hospital — Baltimore (acute care; nonprofit; emergency services; CMS overall rating 3 of 5)
- MedStar Harbor Hospital — Baltimore (acute care; nonprofit; no emergency department; CMS overall rating 4 of 5)
- MedStar Union Memorial Hospital — Baltimore (acute care; nonprofit; emergency services; CMS overall rating 5 of 5)
- Mercy Medical Center — Baltimore (acute care; nonprofit; emergency services; CMS overall rating 3 of 5)
- Mount Washington Pediatric Hospital — Baltimore (children's; nonprofit; no emergency department)
- Saint Agnes Hospital — Baltimore (acute care; nonprofit; emergency services; CMS overall rating 3 of 5)
- Sinai Hospital of Baltimore — Baltimore (acute care; nonprofit; emergency services; CMS overall rating 3 of 5)
- University of Maryland Medical Center — Baltimore (acute care; nonprofit; emergency services; CMS overall rating 3 of 5)
CMS lists 1 more hospital located in Baltimore City that is not shown here.
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 Baltimore City
People in Baltimore City live in communities such as Baltimore (565,239) (2023 population estimates, counting only the part of each community that lies inside the county).
ZIP codes that fall mostly inside Baltimore City include 21201, 21202, 21205, 21206, 21210, 21211, 21212, 21213, 21214, 21215, 21216, 21217, 21218, 21223 and 9 more. Plan availability can change by ZIP code, so have yours ready when we compare plans.
Questions about Medicare in Baltimore City?
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.
- Medicare.gov: Medigap on how Medicare Supplement works.
- Maryland Health Connection, Maryland’s own health insurance exchange, if you are not yet on Medicare.
- Medicare Care Compare for hospitals and doctors.
- Maryland Insurance Administration: Maryland’s insurance regulator, including agent license lookup.
Coverage we offer Baltimore City residents
As an independent agency we are not tied to one insurer, so for Baltimore City residents we can compare ACA health insurance, ICHRA, group health insurance, life insurance, final expense insurance, annuities, Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement (Medigap) and Part D drug plans.
Ready to compare plans in Baltimore City?
Tell us your doctors and medicines and we will show you what fits. No cost, no pressure.
Get my plan comparisonMedicare guides for Baltimore City residents
- Medigap Plan G vs. Plan N
- What happens if you do nothing during open enrollment?
- When can you switch Medicare plans? Every enrollment window
- What Medicare Part D actually costs
Baltimore City compared with similar Maryland counties
| County | Residents 65+ | Medicare Advantage share | Dual eligible share | Area type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anne Arundel County | 97,887 | 19.8% | 11% | Metro |
| Howard County | 53,280 | 19.3% | 15% | Metro |
| Harford County | 47,686 | 24.8% | 12% | Metro |
| Frederick County | 45,824 | 20.3% | 12% | Metro |
| Carroll County | 32,310 | 20.5% | 11% | Metro |
| Prince George's County | 148,087 | 30.9% | 18% | Metro |
See every Maryland county in our Maryland directory or go to our Maryland Medicare hub.