The numbers behind Medicare in Buncombe County
| Buncombe County | North Carolina | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents age 65 and older | 60,275 | 1,908,489 statewide |
| Share of residents age 65+ | 21.8% | 17.6% statewide |
| People with Medicare | 68,073 | 2,336,840 statewide |
| Enrolled in Medicare Advantage | 32,910 | 1,353,169 statewide |
| Medicare Advantage share | 48.3% | 57.9% statewide |
Sources: Census Bureau 2023 estimates and CMS Medicare Advantage penetration, September 2026.
With roughly 60,275 residents age 65 and older, Buncombe County is 5th among 100 North Carolina counties for older residents. That group is 21.8% of its population, compared with 17.6% across North Carolina. The 18,291 residents now between 60 and 64 will become Medicare-eligible soon, and our turning 65 guide walks through it. Census 2023 estimates show 58% of the 65-plus population is under 75, 32% is 75 to 84 and 10% is 85 or older. CMS data show 48.3% of Buncombe County residents with Medicare chose Medicare Advantage, which is lower than the 57.9% average across North Carolina. Averages cannot choose a plan for you. Medicare Advantage and Original Medicare with a Medigap plan each suit different people, depending on doctors, medicines and how you prefer to handle costs, and we compare both at your ZIP code.
Who has Medicare in Buncombe County
Buncombe County sits in a metro area, which the USDA defines as counties in metro areas of 250,000 to 1 million population. That usually means more doctors, more hospitals and more plan choices in the area.
CMS counts 68,196 Medicare beneficiaries in Buncombe County (2023). Their average age is 73, about the same as the North Carolina average of 73. About 11% are “dual eligible,” meaning they have both Medicare and Medicaid, close to the state figure of 13%.
Among people in Original Medicare in Buncombe County, CMS reported about 391 emergency room visits and 178 inpatient hospital stays per 1,000 beneficiaries in 2023, which is lower than the state average for emergency visits (572) and lower than it for hospital stays (210). 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.
Insurers choose which counties to serve each year, which means the Medicare Advantage and Part D plans you can pick in Buncombe County can be different from the ones offered next door. We are not based in Buncombe County; we help Buncombe County residents by phone or video call.
Hospitals located in Buncombe County
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) lists this hospital in Buncombe County:
- Memorial Mission Hospital and Asheville Surgery Ce — Asheville (acute care; nonprofit; emergency services; CMS overall rating 3 of 5)
Network rules, not geography, decide whether a plan covers a hospital. We look up the hospitals and doctors you use and check them against each plan 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 Buncombe County
Census Bureau 2023 estimates put the biggest communities in Buncombe County at Asheville (95,056), Black Mountain (8,530), Woodfin (8,012), Weaverville (4,693), Biltmore Forest (1,435), Montreat (919), counting only the part of each community inside the county.
Census ZIP Code Tabulation Areas mostly within Buncombe County number 16: 28701, 28704, 28709, 28711, 28715, 28730, 28748, 28757, 28770, 28778, 28787, 28801, 28803, 28804 and 2 more. Your exact ZIP code is what decides which plans you can join.
Questions about Medicare in Buncombe 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.
- North Carolina Department of Insurance: North Carolina’s insurance regulator, including agent license lookup.
Coverage we offer Buncombe County residents
Here is what we can help Buncombe County residents with, drawing on plans from many insurers: 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 Buncombe County
A short call is enough to compare your options. Our help is free to you.
Get my plan comparisonMedicare guides for Buncombe County residents
- 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
Buncombe County compared with similar North Carolina counties
| County | Residents 65+ | Medicare Advantage share | Dual eligible share | Area type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brunswick County | 55,001 | 44.5% | 5% | Metro |
| Forsyth County | 68,335 | 69.3% | 13% | Metro |
| Durham County | 50,717 | 52.1% | 11% | Metro |
| New Hanover County | 46,870 | 45.3% | 10% | Metro |
| Cumberland County | 44,854 | 58.1% | 13% | Metro |
| Gaston County | 39,774 | 63.5% | 15% | Metro |
See every North Carolina county in our North Carolina directory or go to our North Carolina Medicare hub.