Medicare in Baltimore County
Baltimore County includes Towson and communities across the county. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 population estimates, about 157,919 county residents are age 65 or older, so choosing the right Medicare coverage is a decision many of your neighbors are making too.
Residents are served by hospitals and health systems including Greater Baltimore Medical Center and University of Maryland St. Joseph Medical Center, both in Towson, and MedStar Franklin Square Medical Center in eastern Baltimore County. If you have Medicare Advantage, whether those hospitals and your doctors are in network depends on the plan you pick.
Medicare Advantage and Part D plan availability, premiums and provider networks are set county by county, and they can change every year. That is why we check the plans offered where you live instead of assuming one option fits everyone. We are an independent agency licensed in Maryland, and we help Baltimore County residents by phone or video call.
The numbers behind Medicare in Baltimore County
| Baltimore County | Maryland | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents age 65 and older | 157,919 | 1,066,384 statewide |
| Share of residents age 65+ | 18.7% | 17.3% statewide |
| People with Medicare | 177,228 | 1,206,222 statewide |
| Enrolled in Medicare Advantage | 45,668 | 298,863 statewide |
| Medicare Advantage share | 25.8% | 24.8% statewide |
Figures come from the Census Bureau and CMS (September 2026).
Baltimore County ranks 2nd of 24 Maryland counties by number of residents age 65 and older, with about 157,919 people in that age group, or 18.7% of residents (statewide: 17.3%). Another 55,720 residents are age 60 to 64 and will reach Medicare eligibility within about five years (see our turning 65 guide). Census 2023 estimates show 58% of the 65-plus population is under 75, 30% is 75 to 84 and 12% is 85 or older. CMS data show 25.8% of Baltimore County residents with Medicare chose Medicare Advantage, which is close to the 24.8% average across Maryland. What most people do in a county is less important than what fits you. We weigh Medicare Advantage against Original Medicare with Medigap using your doctors, your drugs and your budget.
Who has Medicare in Baltimore County
Baltimore County sits in a metro area, which the USDA defines as counties in metro areas of 1 million population or more. That usually means more doctors, more hospitals and more plan choices in the area.
CMS counts 176,493 Medicare beneficiaries in Baltimore County (2023). Their average age is 73, about the same as the Maryland average of 73. About 16% are “dual eligible,” meaning they have both Medicare and Medicaid, close to the state figure of 17%.
Among people in Original Medicare in Baltimore County, CMS reported about 537 emergency room visits and 234 inpatient hospital stays per 1,000 beneficiaries in 2023, which is close to the state average for emergency visits (555) and close to 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.
Communities and ZIP codes in Baltimore County
We look up plans by ZIP code. In Baltimore County, that means areas such as 21013, 21023, 21030, 21031, 21051, 21052, 21053, 21057, 21071, 21082, 21087, 21093, 21105, 21111 and 30 more, based on Census ZIP Code Tabulation Areas that lie mostly in the county.
Questions about your Medicare options?
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 Baltimore County residents
Here is what we can help Baltimore County residents with, drawing on plans from many insurers: Part D drug plans, ACA health insurance, ICHRA, group health insurance, life insurance, final expense insurance, annuities, Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement (Medigap).
Let's check your Baltimore County options together
We will confirm your doctors and prescriptions before you enroll, by phone or video call.
Get my plan comparisonMedicare guides for Baltimore County residents
- How to read your Medicare Annual Notice of Change
- Does Medicare cover dental, vision and hearing?
- Why a Medicare Advantage plan drops a doctor or drug
- Medicare Parts A, B, C and D explained
Baltimore County compared with similar Maryland counties
| County | Residents 65+ | Medicare Advantage share | Dual eligible share | Area type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prince George's County | 148,087 | 30.9% | 18% | Metro |
| Montgomery County | 187,319 | 22.5% | 17% | Metro |
| Anne Arundel County | 97,887 | 19.8% | 11% | Metro |
| Baltimore City | 89,474 | 36.8% | 36% | Metro |
| Howard County | 53,280 | 19.3% | 15% | Metro |
| Harford County | 47,686 | 24.8% | 12% | Metro |
See every Maryland county in our Maryland directory or go to our Maryland Medicare hub.