Medicare in Deaf Smith County by the numbers
| Deaf Smith County | Texas | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents age 65 and older | 2,373 | 4,188,063 statewide |
| Share of residents age 65+ | 12.9% | 13.7% statewide |
| People with Medicare | 2,823 | 5,048,909 statewide |
| Enrolled in Medicare Advantage | 1,393 | 2,770,279 statewide |
| Medicare Advantage share | 49.3% | 54.9% statewide |
Figures come from the Census Bureau and CMS (September 2026).
Deaf Smith County ranks 151st of 254 Texas counties by number of residents age 65 and older, with about 2,373 people in that age group, or 12.9% of residents (statewide: 13.7%). About 873 more people are 60 to 64 and are heading toward Medicare; our turning 65 guide explains their first steps. By age, the 65-and-older group splits 61% ages 65 to 74, 29% ages 75 to 84 and 10% age 85 and up (Census 2023). About 49.3% of people with Medicare in Deaf Smith County are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan. That is lower than the Texas average of 54.9%. 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 Deaf Smith County
The USDA classifies Deaf Smith County as: urban population of 5,000 to 20,000, adjacent to a metro area. In counties of this type, people often travel to a larger neighboring county for specialists, so we check whether your plan’s network reaches there.
CMS counts 2,837 Medicare beneficiaries in Deaf Smith County (2023). Their average age is 73, about the same as the Texas average of 73. About 16% are “dual eligible,” meaning they have both Medicare and Medicaid, higher than the state figure of 11%. 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 Deaf Smith County, CMS reported about 684 emergency room visits and 197 inpatient hospital stays per 1,000 beneficiaries in 2023, which is higher than the state average for emergency visits (580) and lower than it for hospital stays (226). 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 Deaf Smith County may have a different set of plans than the counties around it. We are not based in Deaf Smith County; we help Deaf Smith County residents by phone or video call.
Hospitals located in Deaf Smith County
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) lists this hospital in Deaf Smith County:
- Hereford Regional Medical Center — Hereford (acute care; government-owned; emergency services)
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.
Communities and ZIP codes in Deaf Smith County
People in Deaf Smith County live in communities such as Hereford (14,752) (2023 population estimates, counting only the part of each community that lies inside the county).
Census ZIP Code Tabulation Areas mostly within Deaf Smith County number 2: 79025, 79045. Your exact ZIP code is what decides which plans you can join.
Questions about Medicare in Deaf Smith 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.
- Texas Department of Insurance: Texas’s insurance regulator, including agent license lookup.
Coverage we offer Deaf Smith County residents
As an independent agency we are not tied to one insurer, so for Deaf Smith County 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 Deaf Smith County?
Tell us your doctors and medicines and we will show you what fits. No cost, no pressure.
Get my plan comparisonPlain-English Medicare answers
- What happens if you do nothing during open enrollment?
- Medicare Parts A, B, C and D explained
- Do you really need a Medicare agent?
- When can you switch Medicare plans? Every enrollment window
Deaf Smith County compared with similar Texas counties
| County | Residents 65+ | Medicare Advantage share | Dual eligible share | Area type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wilbarger County | 2,428 | 38.6% | 21% | Smaller city/town |
| Brewster County | 2,292 | 39.3% | 12% | Smaller city/town |
| Lamb County | 2,246 | 47.9% | 17% | Smaller city/town |
| Moore County | 2,502 | 39.3% | 13% | Smaller city/town |
| Frio County | 2,201 | 70.5% | 29% | Smaller city/town |
| Scurry County | 2,612 | 40.9% | 13% | Smaller city/town |
See every Texas county in our Texas directory or go to our Texas Medicare hub.