Medicare in Lee County by the numbers
| Lee County | North Carolina | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents age 65 and older | 11,634 | 1,908,489 statewide |
| Share of residents age 65+ | 17.3% | 17.6% statewide |
| People with Medicare | 14,607 | 2,336,840 statewide |
| Enrolled in Medicare Advantage | 8,246 | 1,353,169 statewide |
| Medicare Advantage share | 56.5% | 57.9% statewide |
Figures come from the Census Bureau and CMS (September 2026).
With roughly 11,634 residents age 65 and older, Lee County is 47th among 100 North Carolina counties for older residents. That group is 17.3% of its population, compared with 17.6% across North Carolina. Another 4,399 residents are age 60 to 64 and will reach Medicare eligibility within about five years (see our turning 65 guide). Among residents 65 and older, 60% are 65 to 74, 30% are 75 to 84 and 10% are 85 or older (Census 2023 estimates). CMS data show 56.5% of Lee County residents with Medicare chose Medicare Advantage, which is close to the 57.9% average across North Carolina. 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 Lee County
Lee County is a smaller-city and town county; the U.S. Department of Agriculture describes it as: urban population of 20,000 or more, adjacent to a metro area. Counties like this often sit between a metro area and rural communities, so some residents use hospitals and specialists in a neighboring county and a plan’s network across the county line matters.
CMS counts 14,234 Medicare beneficiaries in Lee County (2023). Their average age is 73, about the same as the North Carolina average of 73. About 11% are “dual eligible,” meaning they have both Medicare and Medicaid, close to the state figure of 13%.
Among people in Original Medicare in Lee County, CMS reported about 527 emergency room visits and 222 inpatient hospital stays per 1,000 beneficiaries in 2023, which is close to 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.
Where you live decides which Medicare Advantage and Part D plans you can join, and Lee County may have a different set of plans than the counties around it. We are not based in Lee County; we help Lee County residents by phone or video call.
Hospitals located in Lee County
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) lists this hospital in Lee County:
- Central Carolina Hospital — Sanford (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.
Where people live in Lee County
The largest communities in Lee County by 2023 Census population estimates are Sanford (32,064), Broadway (1,345). Each figure counts only the people living inside the county.
ZIP codes that fall mostly inside Lee County include 27330, 27332, 28355. Plan availability can change by ZIP code, so have yours ready when we compare plans.
Questions about Medicare in Lee 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.
- North Carolina Department of Insurance: North Carolina’s insurance regulator, including agent license lookup.
Coverage we offer Lee County residents
As an independent agency we are not tied to one insurer, so for Lee County residents we can compare final expense insurance, annuities, Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement (Medigap), Part D drug plans, ACA health insurance, ICHRA, group health insurance and life insurance.
Ready to compare plans in Lee County?
Tell us your doctors and medicines and we will show you what fits. No cost, no pressure.
Get my plan comparisonRead next
- Medicare Advantage vs. Medigap: how to choose
- Can I change my Medicare plan after December 7?
- Do you really need a Medicare agent?
- Medicare 101 for families
Lee County compared with similar North Carolina counties
| County | Residents 65+ | Medicare Advantage share | Dual eligible share | Area type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beaufort County | 11,674 | 54.3% | 14% | Smaller city/town |
| Granville County | 11,428 | 57.4% | 20% | Smaller city/town |
| Lenoir County | 11,901 | 57.8% | 25% | Smaller city/town |
| Macon County | 11,200 | 45.6% | 10% | Smaller city/town |
| Sampson County | 10,961 | 63.9% | 15% | Smaller city/town |
| Transylvania County | 10,797 | 51.3% | 8% | Smaller city/town |
See every North Carolina county in our North Carolina directory or go to our North Carolina Medicare hub.