Braxton County Medicare at a glance
| Braxton County | West Virginia | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents age 65 and older | 3,047 | 380,679 statewide |
| Share of residents age 65+ | 25.1% | 21.5% statewide |
| People with Medicare | 3,804 | 458,491 statewide |
| Enrolled in Medicare Advantage | 2,466 | 259,694 statewide |
| Medicare Advantage share | 64.8% | 56.6% statewide |
Figures come from the Census Bureau and CMS (September 2026).
Among West Virginia’s 55 counties, Braxton County comes in 42nd for residents age 65 and up (3,047). Older adults make up 25.1% of the population here; the state figure is 21.5%. About 943 more people are 60 to 64 and are heading toward Medicare; our turning 65 guide explains their first steps. Among residents 65 and older, 58% are 65 to 74, 32% are 75 to 84 and 9% are 85 or older (Census 2023 estimates). Medicare Advantage enrollment in Braxton County is 64.8% of people with Medicare, higher than the West Virginia average of 56.6%. 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 Braxton County
The USDA classifies Braxton County as: urban population of fewer than 5,000, adjacent to a metro area. With fewer hospitals and clinics close by, the right Medicare plan here is often the one whose network includes the providers you can really reach.
CMS counts 3,816 Medicare beneficiaries in Braxton County (2023). Their average age is 72, about the same as the West Virginia average of 72. About 23% are “dual eligible,” meaning they have both Medicare and Medicaid, close to the state figure of 20%.
Among people in Original Medicare in Braxton County, CMS reported about 683 emergency room visits and 199 inpatient hospital stays per 1,000 beneficiaries in 2023, which is close to the state average for emergency visits (684) and lower than it for hospital stays (250). About 6% 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 Braxton County may have a different set of plans than the counties around it. We are not based in Braxton County; we help Braxton County residents by phone or video call.
Hospitals located in Braxton County
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) lists this hospital in Braxton County:
- Braxton County Memorial Hospital — Gassaway (critical access; nonprofit; emergency services)
A hospital being in the county does not mean every plan covers it. Medicare Advantage networks differ by plan, so we check the hospitals and doctors you actually use before you enroll. Ratings are CMS Care Compare overall hospital star ratings; they describe the hospital, not whether a plan covers it. Source: CMS Hospital General Information.
Communities and ZIP codes in Braxton County
Census Bureau 2023 estimates put the biggest communities in Braxton County at Sutton (836), Gassaway (734), Burnsville (380), Flatwoods (257), counting only the part of each community inside the county.
ZIP codes that fall mostly inside Braxton County include 25063, 26335, 26376, 26601, 26615, 26619, 26621, 26623, 26624, 26627, 26629, 26631. Plan availability can change by ZIP code, so have yours ready when we compare plans.
Questions about Medicare in Braxton 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.
- West Virginia Offices of the Insurance Commissioner: West Virginia’s insurance regulator, including agent license lookup.
Coverage we offer Braxton County residents
Here is what we can help Braxton County residents with, drawing on plans from many insurers: final expense insurance, annuities, Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement (Medigap), Part D drug plans, ACA health insurance, ICHRA, group health insurance and life insurance.
Ready to compare plans in Braxton County?
Tell us your doctors and medicines and we will show you what fits. No cost, no pressure.
Get my plan comparisonRead next
- Do you really need a Medicare agent?
- Medicare Parts A, B, C and D explained
- What happens if you do nothing during open enrollment?
- Can I change my Medicare plan after December 7?
Braxton County compared with similar West Virginia counties
| County | Residents 65+ | Medicare Advantage share | Dual eligible share | Area type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monroe County | 3,227 | 48.3% | 17% | Rural |
| Summers County | 3,242 | 55.9% | 23% | Rural |
| Barbour County | 3,259 | 57.4% | 27% | Rural |
| Grant County | 2,782 | 44.4% | 23% | Rural |
| Roane County | 3,347 | 58.3% | 26% | Rural |
| Hardy County | 3,424 | 44.8% | 19% | Rural |
See every West Virginia county in our West Virginia directory or go to our West Virginia Medicare hub.