Clare County Medicare at a glance
| Clare County | Michigan | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents age 65 and older | 8,099 | 1,926,752 statewide |
| Share of residents age 65+ | 25.9% | 19.2% statewide |
| People with Medicare | 10,506 | 2,334,917 statewide |
| Enrolled in Medicare Advantage | 7,078 | 1,484,072 statewide |
| Medicare Advantage share | 67.4% | 63.6% statewide |
Data: U.S. Census Bureau (2023 population estimates); CMS, September 2026. Medicare Advantage share is enrollees divided by people with Medicare.
Clare County ranks 45th of 83 Michigan counties by number of residents age 65 and older, with about 8,099 people in that age group, or 25.9% of residents (statewide: 19.2%). The 2,863 residents now between 60 and 64 will become Medicare-eligible soon, and our turning 65 guide walks through it. Census 2023 estimates show 63% of the 65-plus population is under 75, 29% is 75 to 84 and 8% is 85 or older. About 67.4% of people with Medicare in Clare County are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan. That is close to the Michigan average of 63.6%. 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 Clare County
Clare County is a rural county (USDA: urban population of fewer than 5,000, adjacent to a metro area). Plan choices can be narrower than in a city, and we focus on networks that include the doctors and hospital you actually use.
CMS counts 10,411 Medicare beneficiaries in Clare County (2023). Their average age is 70, younger than the Michigan average of 72. About 27% are “dual eligible,” meaning they have both Medicare and Medicaid, higher than the state figure of 20%. 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 Clare County, CMS reported about 780 emergency room visits and 208 inpatient hospital stays per 1,000 beneficiaries in 2023, which is higher than the state average for emergency visits (645) and lower than it for hospital stays (245). 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 Clare County may differ from those in a neighboring county. We are not based in Clare County; we help Clare County residents by phone or video call.
Hospitals located in Clare County
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) lists this hospital in Clare County:
- Mymichigan Medical Center Clare — Clare (acute care; nonprofit; no emergency department; CMS overall rating 2 of 5)
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.
Where people live in Clare County
The largest communities in Clare County by 2023 Census population estimates are Clare (3,202), Harrison (2,162), Farwell (896). Each figure counts only the people living inside the county.
We look up plans by ZIP code. In Clare County, that means areas such as 48617, 48622, 48625, 48632, 48633, based on Census ZIP Code Tabulation Areas that lie mostly in the county.
Questions about Medicare in Clare 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.
- Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services: Michigan’s insurance regulator, including agent license lookup.
Coverage we offer Clare County residents
Here is what we can help Clare 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.
Let’s check your Clare County options together
We confirm your doctors and prescriptions before you enroll, at no cost to you.
Get my plan comparisonMedicare guides for Clare County residents
- Do you really need a Medicare agent?
- Medicare 101 for families
- Medicare Advantage vs. Medigap: how to choose
- Can I change my Medicare plan after December 7?
Clare County compared with similar Michigan counties
| County | Residents 65+ | Medicare Advantage share | Dual eligible share | Area type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Huron County | 8,590 | 55.2% | 18% | Rural |
| Gladwin County | 7,146 | 66.9% | 19% | Rural |
| Antrim County | 7,128 | 59.4% | 15% | Rural |
| Sanilac County | 9,605 | 58.9% | 19% | Rural |
| Oceana County | 6,224 | 70.9% | 21% | Rural |
| Ogemaw County | 5,944 | 59.4% | 21% | Rural |
See every Michigan county in our Michigan directory or go to our Michigan Medicare hub.