Jefferson County Medicare at a glance
| Jefferson County | West Virginia | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents age 65 and older | 10,779 | 380,679 statewide |
| Share of residents age 65+ | 18.0% | 21.5% statewide |
| People with Medicare | 13,196 | 458,491 statewide |
| Enrolled in Medicare Advantage | 5,436 | 259,694 statewide |
| Medicare Advantage share | 41.2% | 56.6% statewide |
Data: U.S. Census Bureau (2023 population estimates); CMS, September 2026. Medicare Advantage share is enrollees divided by people with Medicare.
Among West Virginia’s 55 counties, Jefferson County comes in 11th for residents age 65 and up (10,779). Older adults make up 18.0% of the population here; the state figure is 21.5%. Another 4,201 residents are age 60 to 64 and will reach Medicare eligibility within about five years (see our turning 65 guide). Census 2023 estimates show 61% of the 65-plus population is under 75, 32% is 75 to 84 and 8% is 85 or older. Medicare Advantage enrollment in Jefferson County is 41.2% of people with Medicare, lower 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 Jefferson County
The U.S. Department of Agriculture classifies Jefferson 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 12,696 Medicare beneficiaries in Jefferson County (2023). Their average age is 73, older than the West Virginia average of 72. About 11% are “dual eligible,” meaning they have both Medicare and Medicaid, lower than the state figure of 20%.
Among people in Original Medicare in Jefferson County, CMS reported about 640 emergency room visits and 189 inpatient hospital stays per 1,000 beneficiaries in 2023, which is close to the state average for emergency visits (684) and lower than it for hospital stays (250). 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.
Where you live decides which Medicare Advantage and Part D plans you can join, and Jefferson County may have a different set of plans than the counties around it. We are not based in Jefferson County; we help Jefferson County residents by phone or video call.
Hospitals located in Jefferson County
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) lists this hospital in Jefferson County:
- Jefferson Medical Center — Ranson (critical access; nonprofit; emergency services; CMS overall rating 1 of 5)
Network rules, not geography, decide whether a plan covers a hospital. We look up the hospitals and doctors you use and check them against each plan 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 Jefferson County
People in Jefferson County live in communities such as Charles Town (7,672), Ranson corporation (5,699), Shepherdstown (1,537), Bolivar (1,005), Harpers Ferry (268) (2023 population estimates, counting only the part of each community that lies inside the county).
ZIP codes that fall mostly inside Jefferson County include 25414, 25425, 25430, 25432, 25438, 25442, 25443, 25446. Plan availability can change by ZIP code, so have yours ready when we compare plans.
Questions about Medicare in Jefferson 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 Jefferson County residents
As an independent agency we are not tied to one insurer, so for Jefferson County residents we can compare Medicare Supplement (Medigap), Part D drug plans, ACA health insurance, ICHRA, group health insurance, life insurance, final expense insurance, annuities and Medicare Advantage.
Get a clear answer for Jefferson County
A short call is enough to compare your options. Our help is free to you.
Get my plan comparisonMedicare guides for Jefferson County residents
- Medicare Advantage vs. Medigap: how to choose
- Medicare Parts A, B, C and D explained
- What Medicare Part D actually costs
- Can I change my Medicare plan after December 7?
Jefferson County compared with similar West Virginia counties
| County | Residents 65+ | Medicare Advantage share | Dual eligible share | Area type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Putnam County | 11,687 | 58.8% | 16% | Metro |
| Ohio County | 9,555 | 55.4% | 16% | Metro |
| Fayette County | 9,172 | 61.4% | 24% | Metro |
| Wayne County | 8,671 | 62.6% | 26% | Metro |
| Marshall County | 7,187 | 66.6% | 18% | Metro |
| Preston County | 7,180 | 56.2% | 19% | Metro |
See every West Virginia county in our West Virginia directory or go to our West Virginia Medicare hub.