Medicare in Gilmer County by the numbers
| Gilmer County | West Virginia | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents age 65 and older | 1,348 | 380,679 statewide |
| Share of residents age 65+ | 18.6% | 21.5% statewide |
| People with Medicare | 1,464 | 458,491 statewide |
| Enrolled in Medicare Advantage | 958 | 259,694 statewide |
| Medicare Advantage share | 65.4% | 56.6% statewide |
Sources: Census Bureau 2023 estimates and CMS Medicare Advantage penetration, September 2026.
Gilmer County ranks 54th of 55 West Virginia counties by number of residents age 65 and older, with about 1,348 people in that age group, or 18.6% of residents (statewide: 21.5%). About 400 more people are 60 to 64 and are heading toward Medicare; our turning 65 guide explains their first steps. Among residents 65 and older, 55% are 65 to 74, 31% are 75 to 84 and 15% are 85 or older (Census 2023 estimates). About 65.4% of people with Medicare in Gilmer County are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan. That is 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 Gilmer County
Gilmer County is a rural county (USDA: urban population of fewer than 5,000, not 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 1,595 Medicare beneficiaries in Gilmer County (2023). Their average age is 72, about the same as the West Virginia 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 Gilmer County, CMS reported about 786 emergency room visits and 258 inpatient hospital stays per 1,000 beneficiaries in 2023, which is higher than the state average for emergency visits (684) and close to it for hospital stays (250). 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 Gilmer County may differ from those in a neighboring county. We are not based in Gilmer County; we help Gilmer County residents by phone or video call.
Hospitals and doctors near Gilmer County
CMS Hospital General Information lists no acute care, critical access or children’s hospital located inside Gilmer County. Residents often use hospitals in neighboring counties, which matters for Medicare Advantage because a plan’s network may include or leave out the hospital you use. We check your hospitals and doctors before you enroll.
Where people live in Gilmer County
Census Bureau 2023 estimates put the biggest communities in Gilmer County at Glenville (1,079), Sand Fork (175), counting only the part of each community inside the county.
Census ZIP Code Tabulation Areas mostly within Gilmer County number 8: 25267, 26342, 26351, 26384, 26430, 26443, 26611, 26638. Your exact ZIP code is what decides which plans you can join.
Questions about Medicare in Gilmer 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.
- West Virginia Offices of the Insurance Commissioner: West Virginia’s insurance regulator, including agent license lookup.
Coverage we offer Gilmer County residents
As an independent agency we are not tied to one insurer, so for Gilmer 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.
Get a clear answer for Gilmer County
A short call is enough to compare your options. Our help is free to you.
Get my plan comparisonMedicare guides for Gilmer County residents
- What happens if you do nothing during open enrollment?
- Can I change my Medicare plan after December 7?
- Why a Medicare Advantage plan drops a doctor or drug
- Medigap Plan G vs. Plan N
Gilmer County compared with similar West Virginia counties
| County | Residents 65+ | Medicare Advantage share | Dual eligible share | Area type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pleasants County | 1,450 | 56.4% | 20% | Rural |
| Calhoun County | 1,614 | 57.7% | 30% | Rural |
| Doddridge County | 1,761 | 52.0% | 20% | Rural |
| Pendleton County | 1,810 | 50.1% | 19% | Rural |
| Tucker County | 1,888 | 56.7% | 20% | Rural |
| Ritchie County | 1,950 | 53.8% | 22% | Rural |
See every West Virginia county in our West Virginia directory or go to our West Virginia Medicare hub.