Marlboro County Medicare at a glance
| Marlboro County | South Carolina | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents age 65 and older | 5,094 | 1,037,931 statewide |
| Share of residents age 65+ | 19.8% | 19.3% statewide |
| People with Medicare | 6,552 | 1,294,203 statewide |
| Enrolled in Medicare Advantage | 3,974 | 604,910 statewide |
| Medicare Advantage share | 60.7% | 46.7% statewide |
Sources: Census Bureau 2023 estimates and CMS Medicare Advantage penetration, September 2026.
With roughly 5,094 residents age 65 and older, Marlboro County is 37th among 46 South Carolina counties for older residents. That group is 19.8% of its population, compared with 19.3% across South Carolina. The 1,723 residents now between 60 and 64 will become Medicare-eligible soon, and our turning 65 guide walks through it. Among residents 65 and older, 59% are 65 to 74, 33% are 75 to 84 and 9% are 85 or older (Census 2023 estimates). CMS data show 60.7% of Marlboro County residents with Medicare chose Medicare Advantage, which is higher than the 46.7% average across South Carolina. A county average does not tell you which kind of plan fits you. Whether Medicare Advantage or Original Medicare with a Medigap plan is the better fit depends on your doctors, your prescriptions and how you want to handle costs, so we compare both for your ZIP code.
Who has Medicare in Marlboro County
Marlboro County is a non-metro county with towns and small cities (USDA: urban population of 5,000 to 20,000, adjacent to a metro area). Care is often split between local providers and a bigger hospital elsewhere, which is worth testing against each plan’s network.
CMS counts 6,704 Medicare beneficiaries in Marlboro County (2023). Their average age is 72, about the same as the South Carolina average of 73. About 18% 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 Marlboro County, CMS reported about 694 emergency room visits and 253 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 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.
Medicare Advantage and Part D plan availability and provider networks are set county by county, so the plans open to you in Marlboro County may differ from those in a neighboring county. We are not based in Marlboro County; we help Marlboro County residents by phone or video call.
Hospitals and doctors near Marlboro County
CMS Hospital General Information lists no acute care, critical access or children’s hospital located inside Marlboro 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.
Where people live in Marlboro County
Census Bureau 2023 estimates put the biggest communities in Marlboro County at Bennettsville (6,540), McColl (1,993), Clio (582), Blenheim (110), Tatum (71), counting only the part of each community inside the county.
We look up plans by ZIP code. In Marlboro County, that means areas such as 29512, 29516, 29525, 29570, 29594, 29596, based on Census ZIP Code Tabulation Areas that lie mostly in the county.
Questions about Medicare in Marlboro 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 Marlboro County residents
Here is what we can help Marlboro County residents with, drawing on plans from many insurers: life insurance, final expense insurance, annuities, Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement (Medigap), Part D drug plans, ACA health insurance, ICHRA and group health insurance.
Ready to compare plans in Marlboro County?
Tell us your doctors and medicines and we will show you what fits. No cost, no pressure.
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
Marlboro County compared with similar South Carolina counties
| County | Residents 65+ | Medicare Advantage share | Dual eligible share | Area type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dillon County | 4,989 | 59.5% | 17% | Smaller city/town |
| Abbeville County | 5,691 | 50.2% | 8% | Smaller city/town |
| Marion County | 6,253 | 57.5% | 16% | Smaller city/town |
| Williamsburg County | 6,987 | 61.0% | 14% | Smaller city/town |
| Colleton County | 8,072 | 50.5% | 9% | Smaller city/town |
| Newberry County | 8,125 | 44.7% | 8% | Smaller city/town |
See every South Carolina county in our South Carolina directory or go to our South Carolina Medicare hub.