Medicare in Essex County by the numbers
| Essex County | Virginia | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents age 65 and older | 2,646 | 1,498,879 statewide |
| Share of residents age 65+ | 25.0% | 17.2% statewide |
| People with Medicare | 3,400 | 1,764,998 statewide |
| Enrolled in Medicare Advantage | 1,434 | 698,851 statewide |
| Medicare Advantage share | 42.2% | 39.6% statewide |
Sources: Census Bureau 2023 estimates and CMS Medicare Advantage penetration, September 2026.
Essex County ranks 108th of 133 Virginia counties by number of residents age 65 and older, with about 2,646 people in that age group, or 25.0% of residents (statewide: 17.2%). The 934 residents now between 60 and 64 will become Medicare-eligible soon, and our turning 65 guide walks through it. By age, the 65-and-older group splits 60% ages 65 to 74, 32% ages 75 to 84 and 8% age 85 and up (Census 2023). Medicare Advantage enrollment in Essex County is 42.2% of people with Medicare, close to the Virginia average of 39.6%. A county average does not tell you which kind of plan fits you. Whether Medicare Advantage or Original Medicare with a Medigap plan is the better fit depends on your doctors, your prescriptions and how you want to handle costs, so we compare both for your ZIP code.
Who has Medicare in Essex County
Essex County is a rural county; the U.S. Department of Agriculture describes it as: urban population of fewer than 5,000, adjacent to a metro area. Rural counties tend to have fewer local hospitals and doctors, so a plan’s network and the distance to care matter a great deal.
CMS counts 3,331 Medicare beneficiaries in Essex County (2023). Their average age is 74, about the same as the Virginia average of 74. About 9% are “dual eligible,” meaning they have both Medicare and Medicaid, close to the state figure of 9%.
Among people in Original Medicare in Essex County, CMS reported about 660 emergency room visits and 238 inpatient hospital stays per 1,000 beneficiaries in 2023, which is higher than the state average for emergency visits (589) and higher than it for hospital stays (206). About 7% 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 Essex County may differ from those in a neighboring county. We are not based in Essex County; we help Essex County residents by phone or video call.
Hospitals located in Essex County
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) lists this hospital in Essex County:
- VCU Health Tappahannock Hospital — Tappahannock (acute care; nonprofit; emergency services; CMS overall rating 4 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 Essex County
The largest communities in Essex County by 2023 Census population estimates are Tappahannock (2,187). Each figure counts only the people living inside the county.
We look up plans by ZIP code. In Essex County, that means areas such as 22436, 22438, 22454, 22476, 22504, 22509, 22560, based on Census ZIP Code Tabulation Areas that lie mostly in the county.
Questions about Medicare in Essex 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.
- Virginia’s Insurance Marketplace, Virginia’s own health insurance exchange, if you are not yet on Medicare.
- Virginia Bureau of Insurance: Virginia’s insurance regulator, including agent license lookup.
Coverage we offer Essex County residents
As an independent agency we are not tied to one insurer, so for Essex County residents we can compare Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement (Medigap), Part D drug plans, ACA health insurance, ICHRA, group health insurance, life insurance, final expense insurance and annuities.
Let’s check your Essex County options together
We confirm your doctors and prescriptions before you enroll, at no cost to you.
Get my plan comparisonPlain-English Medicare answers
- What happens if you do nothing during open enrollment?
- When can you switch Medicare plans? Every enrollment window
- What Medicare Part D actually costs
- Medigap Plan G vs. Plan N
Essex County compared with similar Virginia counties
| County | Residents 65+ | Medicare Advantage share | Dual eligible share | Area type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charlotte County | 2,594 | 43.8% | 14% | Rural |
| Lunenburg County | 2,889 | 45.0% | 14% | Rural |
| Nottoway County | 2,908 | 45.0% | 14% | Rural |
| Cumberland County | 2,327 | 42.3% | 10% | Rural |
| Richmond County | 2,020 | 37.8% | 11% | Rural |
| Madison County | 3,356 | 35.4% | 9% | Rural |
See every Virginia county in our Virginia directory or go to our Virginia Medicare hub.