Medicare in Lake County by the numbers
| Lake County | Michigan | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents age 65 and older | 3,513 | 1,926,752 statewide |
| Share of residents age 65+ | 27.6% | 19.2% statewide |
| People with Medicare | 4,466 | 2,334,917 statewide |
| Enrolled in Medicare Advantage | 3,049 | 1,484,072 statewide |
| Medicare Advantage share | 68.3% | 63.6% statewide |
Sources: Census Bureau 2023 estimates and CMS Medicare Advantage penetration, September 2026.
With roughly 3,513 residents age 65 and older, Lake County is 73rd among 83 Michigan counties for older residents. That group is 27.6% of its population, compared with 19.2% across Michigan. About 1,286 more people are 60 to 64 and are heading toward Medicare; our turning 65 guide explains their first steps. By age, the 65-and-older group splits 64% ages 65 to 74, 28% ages 75 to 84 and 8% age 85 and up (Census 2023). About 68.3% of people with Medicare in Lake County are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan. That is close to the Michigan average of 63.6%. Averages cannot choose a plan for you. Medicare Advantage and Original Medicare with a Medigap plan each suit different people, depending on doctors, medicines and how you prefer to handle costs, and we compare both at your ZIP code.
Who has Medicare in Lake County
Lake 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 4,401 Medicare beneficiaries in Lake County (2023). Their average age is 70, younger than the Michigan average of 72. About 28% 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 Lake County, CMS reported about 799 emergency room visits and 224 inpatient hospital stays per 1,000 beneficiaries in 2023, which is higher than the state average for emergency visits (645) and close to it for hospital stays (245). 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.
Where you live decides which Medicare Advantage and Part D plans you can join, and Lake County may have a different set of plans than the counties around it. We are not based in Lake County; we help Lake County residents by phone or video call.
Hospitals and doctors near Lake County
CMS Hospital General Information lists no acute care, critical access or children’s hospital located inside Lake 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.
Lake County: communities and ZIP codes
People in Lake County live in communities such as Baldwin (990), Luther (315) (2023 population estimates, counting only the part of each community that lies inside the county).
We look up plans by ZIP code. In Lake County, that means areas such as 49304, 49402, 49623, 49642, 49644, 49656, based on Census ZIP Code Tabulation Areas that lie mostly in the county.
Questions about Medicare in Lake 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.
- Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services: Michigan’s insurance regulator, including agent license lookup.
Coverage we offer Lake County residents
As an independent agency we are not tied to one insurer, so for Lake 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 Lake County
A short call is enough to compare your options. Our help is free to you.
Get my plan comparisonPlain-English Medicare answers
- What happens if you do nothing during open enrollment?
- Medicare 101 for families
- Why a Medicare Advantage plan drops a doctor or drug
- When can you switch Medicare plans? Every enrollment window
Lake County compared with similar Michigan counties
| County | Residents 65+ | Medicare Advantage share | Dual eligible share | Area type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Missaukee County | 3,460 | 64.2% | 22% | Rural |
| Mackinac County | 3,325 | 57.3% | 15% | Rural |
| Crawford County | 3,721 | 61.2% | 20% | Rural |
| Iron County | 3,797 | 56.1% | 15% | Rural |
| Montmorency County | 3,219 | 62.1% | 19% | Rural |
| Alcona County | 3,881 | 58.9% | 17% | Rural |
See every Michigan county in our Michigan directory or go to our Michigan Medicare hub.