Medicare in Hertford County by the numbers
| Hertford County | North Carolina | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents age 65 and older | 4,485 | 1,908,489 statewide |
| Share of residents age 65+ | 23.1% | 17.6% statewide |
| People with Medicare | 5,727 | 2,336,840 statewide |
| Enrolled in Medicare Advantage | 3,350 | 1,353,169 statewide |
| Medicare Advantage share | 58.5% | 57.9% statewide |
Figures come from the Census Bureau and CMS (September 2026).
Among North Carolina’s 100 counties, Hertford County comes in 82nd for residents age 65 and up (4,485). Older adults make up 23.1% of the population here; the state figure is 17.6%. Another 1,491 residents are age 60 to 64 and will reach Medicare eligibility within about five years (see our turning 65 guide). Census 2023 estimates show 60% of the 65-plus population is under 75, 30% is 75 to 84 and 11% is 85 or older. CMS data show 58.5% of Hertford County residents with Medicare chose Medicare Advantage, which is close to the 57.9% average across North Carolina. 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 Hertford County
Hertford 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 5,819 Medicare beneficiaries in Hertford County (2023). Their average age is 73, about the same as the North Carolina average of 73. About 23% are “dual eligible,” meaning they have both Medicare and Medicaid, higher than the state figure of 13%. 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 Hertford County, CMS reported about 697 emergency room visits and 221 inpatient hospital stays per 1,000 beneficiaries in 2023, which is higher than the state average for emergency visits (572) and close to it for hospital stays (210). 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.
Insurers choose which counties to serve each year, which means the Medicare Advantage and Part D plans you can pick in Hertford County can be different from the ones offered next door. We are not based in Hertford County; we help Hertford County residents by phone or video call.
Hospitals located in Hertford County
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) lists this hospital in Hertford County:
- Vidant Roanoke Chowan Hospital — Ahoskie (acute care; nonprofit; emergency services; CMS overall rating 2 of 5)
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.
Hertford County: communities and ZIP codes
People in Hertford County live in communities such as Ahoskie (4,651), Murfreesboro (2,371), Winton (604), Cofield (261), Harrellsville (79), Como (62) (2023 population estimates, counting only the part of each community that lies inside the county).
We look up plans by ZIP code. In Hertford County, that means areas such as 27818, 27855, 27910, 27922, 27942, 27986, based on Census ZIP Code Tabulation Areas that lie mostly in the county.
Questions about Medicare in Hertford 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.
- North Carolina Department of Insurance: North Carolina’s insurance regulator, including agent license lookup.
Coverage we offer Hertford County residents
As an independent agency we are not tied to one insurer, so for Hertford County residents we can compare Part D drug plans, ACA health insurance, ICHRA, group health insurance, life insurance, final expense insurance, annuities, Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement (Medigap).
Ready to compare plans in Hertford County?
Tell us your doctors and medicines and we will show you what fits. No cost, no pressure.
Get my plan comparisonMedicare guides for Hertford County residents
- Why a Medicare Advantage plan drops a doctor or drug
- Can I change my Medicare plan after December 7?
- What happens if you do nothing during open enrollment?
- Medicare Parts A, B, C and D explained
Hertford County compared with similar North Carolina counties
| County | Residents 65+ | Medicare Advantage share | Dual eligible share | Area type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bertie County | 4,432 | 56.1% | 23% | Rural |
| Avery County | 4,248 | 55.3% | 15% | Rural |
| Clay County | 4,050 | 44.8% | 12% | Rural |
| Pamlico County | 3,999 | 42.9% | 9% | Rural |
| Yancey County | 5,034 | 53.7% | 17% | Rural |
| Northampton County | 5,096 | 59.5% | 19% | Rural |
See every North Carolina county in our North Carolina directory or go to our North Carolina Medicare hub.