The numbers behind Medicare in McDowell County
| McDowell County | West Virginia | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents age 65 and older | 4,111 | 380,679 statewide |
| Share of residents age 65+ | 23.6% | 21.5% statewide |
| People with Medicare | 5,194 | 458,491 statewide |
| Enrolled in Medicare Advantage | 3,492 | 259,694 statewide |
| Medicare Advantage share | 67.2% | 56.6% statewide |
Figures come from the Census Bureau and CMS (September 2026).
With roughly 4,111 residents age 65 and older, McDowell County is 33rd among 55 West Virginia counties for older residents. That group is 23.6% of its population, compared with 21.5% across West Virginia. The 1,154 residents now between 60 and 64 will become Medicare-eligible soon, and our turning 65 guide walks through it. Among residents 65 and older, 60% are 65 to 74, 29% are 75 to 84 and 11% are 85 or older (Census 2023 estimates). Medicare Advantage enrollment in McDowell County is 67.2% of people with Medicare, higher than the West Virginia average of 56.6%. 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 McDowell County
The USDA classifies McDowell County as: urban population of fewer than 5,000, not adjacent to a metro area. With fewer hospitals and clinics close by, the right Medicare plan here is often the one whose network includes the providers you can really reach.
CMS counts 5,455 Medicare beneficiaries in McDowell County (2023). Their average age is 67, younger than the West Virginia average of 72. About 44% 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 McDowell County, CMS reported about 763 emergency room visits and 241 inpatient hospital stays per 1,000 beneficiaries in 2023, which is close to the state average for emergency visits (684) and close to 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.
Medicare Advantage and Part D plan availability and provider networks are set county by county, so the plans open to you in McDowell County may differ from those in a neighboring county. We are not based in McDowell County; we help McDowell County residents by phone or video call.
Hospitals located in McDowell County
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) lists this hospital in McDowell County:
- Welch Community Hospital — Welch (acute care; government-owned; emergency services)
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 McDowell County
The largest communities in McDowell County by 2023 Census population estimates are Welch (3,414), Gary (703), War (559), Kimball (253), Iaeger (230), Northfork (208). Each figure counts only the people living inside the county.
ZIP codes that fall mostly inside McDowell County include 24808, 24811, 24813, 24815, 24816, 24817, 24826, 24828, 24830, 24831, 24836, 24843, 24844, 24846 and 20 more. Plan availability can change by ZIP code, so have yours ready when we compare plans.
Questions about Medicare in McDowell 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.
- HealthCare.gov if you are not yet on Medicare.
- Medicare Care Compare for hospitals and doctors.
- Social Security: Medicare to enroll or check status.
- West Virginia Offices of the Insurance Commissioner: West Virginia’s insurance regulator, including agent license lookup.
Coverage we offer McDowell County residents
As an independent agency we are not tied to one insurer, so for McDowell County residents we can compare Part D drug plans, ACA health insurance, ICHRA, group health insurance, life insurance, final expense insurance, annuities, Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement (Medigap).
Ready to compare plans in McDowell County?
Tell us your doctors and medicines and we will show you what fits. No cost, no pressure.
Get my plan comparisonRead next
- Why a Medicare Advantage plan drops a doctor or drug
- When can you switch Medicare plans? Every enrollment window
- Medicare Advantage vs. Medigap: how to choose
- Medicare Parts A, B, C and D explained
McDowell County compared with similar West Virginia counties
| County | Residents 65+ | Medicare Advantage share | Dual eligible share | Area type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln County | 4,266 | 72.0% | 33% | Rural |
| Lewis County | 3,471 | 60.5% | 24% | Rural |
| Hardy County | 3,424 | 44.8% | 19% | Rural |
| Mingo County | 4,822 | 69.5% | 35% | Rural |
| Wyoming County | 4,824 | 68.5% | 31% | Rural |
| Roane County | 3,347 | 58.3% | 26% | Rural |
See every West Virginia county in our West Virginia directory or go to our West Virginia Medicare hub.