The numbers behind Medicare in Lee County
| Lee County | South Carolina | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents age 65 and older | 3,384 | 1,037,931 statewide |
| Share of residents age 65+ | 21.2% | 19.3% statewide |
| People with Medicare | 4,493 | 1,294,203 statewide |
| Enrolled in Medicare Advantage | 2,540 | 604,910 statewide |
| Medicare Advantage share | 56.5% | 46.7% statewide |
Sources: Census Bureau 2023 estimates and CMS Medicare Advantage penetration, September 2026.
With roughly 3,384 residents age 65 and older, Lee County is 44th among 46 South Carolina counties for older residents. That group is 21.2% of its population, compared with 19.3% across South Carolina. The 1,160 residents now between 60 and 64 will become Medicare-eligible soon, and our turning 65 guide walks through it. By age, the 65-and-older group splits 60% ages 65 to 74, 30% ages 75 to 84 and 10% age 85 and up (Census 2023). Medicare Advantage enrollment in Lee County is 56.5% of people with Medicare, higher than the South Carolina average of 46.7%. 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 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 4,455 Medicare beneficiaries in Lee County (2023). Their average age is 72, about the same as the South Carolina average of 73. About 16% are “dual eligible,” meaning they have both Medicare and Medicaid, higher than the state figure of 7%. 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 Lee County, CMS reported about 662 emergency room visits and 241 inpatient hospital stays per 1,000 beneficiaries in 2023, which is higher than the state average for emergency visits (563) and higher than it for hospital stays (202). About 9% 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 and doctors near Lee County
CMS Hospital General Information lists no acute care, critical access or children’s hospital located inside Lee 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.
Lee County: communities and ZIP codes
People in Lee County live in communities such as Bishopville (2,862), Lynchburg (308) (2023 population estimates, counting only the part of each community that lies inside the county).
We look up plans by ZIP code. In Lee County, that means areas such as 29010, 29046, 29080, 29104, based on Census ZIP Code Tabulation Areas that lie mostly in the county.
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.
- South Carolina Department of Insurance: South 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
- Medigap Plan G vs. Plan N
- Why a Medicare Advantage plan drops a doctor or drug
- Can I change my Medicare plan after December 7?
Lee County compared with similar South Carolina counties
| County | Residents 65+ | Medicare Advantage share | Dual eligible share | Area type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bamberg County | 3,162 | 59.1% | 11% | Rural |
| Hampton County | 3,653 | 57.7% | 9% | Rural |
| McCormick County | 3,987 | 48.4% | 5% | Rural |
| Barnwell County | 4,105 | 58.1% | 12% | Rural |
| Allendale County | 1,678 | 59.9% | 13% | Rural |
| Clarendon County | 7,974 | 53.2% | 11% | Rural |
See every South Carolina county in our South Carolina directory or go to our South Carolina Medicare hub.