Medicare in Howard County by the numbers
| Howard County | Maryland | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents age 65 and older | 53,280 | 1,066,384 statewide |
| Share of residents age 65+ | 15.9% | 17.3% statewide |
| People with Medicare | 59,539 | 1,206,222 statewide |
| Enrolled in Medicare Advantage | 11,496 | 298,863 statewide |
| Medicare Advantage share | 19.3% | 24.8% statewide |
Figures come from the Census Bureau and CMS (September 2026).
With roughly 53,280 residents age 65 and older, Howard County is 6th among 24 Maryland counties for older residents. That group is 15.9% of its population, compared with 17.3% across Maryland. Another 20,775 residents are age 60 to 64 and will reach Medicare eligibility within about five years (see our turning 65 guide). Census 2023 estimates show 58% of the 65-plus population is under 75, 32% is 75 to 84 and 10% is 85 or older. CMS data show 19.3% of Howard County residents with Medicare chose Medicare Advantage, which is lower than the 24.8% average across Maryland. 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 Howard County
The U.S. Department of Agriculture classifies Howard County as a metro county (counties in metro areas of 1 million population or more). Counties like this tend to have a wider choice of hospitals and Medicare plans than rural ones, though networks still differ plan by plan.
CMS counts 56,613 Medicare beneficiaries in Howard County (2023). Their average age is 74, about the same as the Maryland average of 73. About 15% are “dual eligible,” meaning they have both Medicare and Medicaid, close to the state figure of 17%.
Among people in Original Medicare in Howard County, CMS reported about 393 emergency room visits and 185 inpatient hospital stays per 1,000 beneficiaries in 2023, which is lower than the state average for emergency visits (555) and lower than it for hospital stays (217). 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.
Insurers choose which counties to serve each year, which means the Medicare Advantage and Part D plans you can pick in Howard County can be different from the ones offered next door. We are not based in Howard County; we help Howard County residents by phone or video call.
Hospitals located in Howard County
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) lists this hospital in Howard County:
- Johns Hopkins Howard County Medical Center — Columbia (acute care; nonprofit; emergency services; CMS overall rating 3 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.
Howard County: communities and ZIP codes
Census ZIP Code Tabulation Areas mostly within Howard County number 20: 20701, 20723, 20759, 20763, 20777, 20794, 21029, 21036, 21042, 21043, 21044, 21045, 21046, 21075 and 6 more. Your exact ZIP code is what decides which plans you can join.
Questions about Medicare in Howard 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.
- Maryland Health Connection, Maryland’s own health insurance exchange, if you are not yet on Medicare.
- Medicare Care Compare for hospitals and doctors.
- Social Security: Medicare to enroll or check status.
- Maryland Insurance Administration: Maryland’s insurance regulator, including agent license lookup.
Coverage we offer Howard County residents
We work with many carriers, which lets us compare more than one option for Howard County households, including life insurance, final expense insurance, annuities, Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement (Medigap), Part D drug plans, ACA health insurance, ICHRA and group health insurance.
Let’s check your Howard County options together
We confirm your doctors and prescriptions before you enroll, at no cost to you.
Get my plan comparisonMedicare guides for Howard County residents
- What Medicare Part D actually costs
- Medicare 101 for families
- How to read your Medicare Annual Notice of Change
- When can you switch Medicare plans? Every enrollment window
Howard County compared with similar Maryland counties
| County | Residents 65+ | Medicare Advantage share | Dual eligible share | Area type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harford County | 47,686 | 24.8% | 12% | Metro |
| Frederick County | 45,824 | 20.3% | 12% | Metro |
| Carroll County | 32,310 | 20.5% | 11% | Metro |
| Washington County | 28,617 | 24.1% | 20% | Metro |
| Charles County | 24,347 | 25.0% | 14% | Metro |
| Cecil County | 18,651 | 21.8% | 16% | Metro |
See every Maryland county in our Maryland directory or go to our Maryland Medicare hub.