The numbers behind Medicare in Nicholas County
| Nicholas County | West Virginia | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents age 65 and older | 5,926 | 380,679 statewide |
| Share of residents age 65+ | 24.5% | 21.5% statewide |
| People with Medicare | 7,384 | 458,491 statewide |
| Enrolled in Medicare Advantage | 4,747 | 259,694 statewide |
| Medicare Advantage share | 64.3% | 56.6% statewide |
Figures come from the Census Bureau and CMS (September 2026).
With roughly 5,926 residents age 65 and older, Nicholas County is 23rd among 55 West Virginia counties for older residents. That group is 24.5% of its population, compared with 21.5% across West Virginia. About 1,764 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 58% ages 65 to 74, 33% ages 75 to 84 and 9% age 85 and up (Census 2023). CMS data show 64.3% of Nicholas County residents with Medicare chose Medicare Advantage, which is higher than the 56.6% average across West Virginia. 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 Nicholas County
Nicholas County is a rural county; the U.S. Department of Agriculture describes it as: urban population of fewer than 5,000, adjacent to a metro area. Rural counties tend to have fewer local hospitals and doctors, so a plan’s network and the distance to care matter a great deal.
CMS counts 7,630 Medicare beneficiaries in Nicholas County (2023). Their average age is 71, about the same as the West Virginia average of 72. About 22% are “dual eligible,” meaning they have both Medicare and Medicaid, close to the state figure of 20%.
Among people in Original Medicare in Nicholas County, CMS reported about 744 emergency room visits and 201 inpatient hospital stays per 1,000 beneficiaries in 2023, which is close to the state average for emergency visits (684) and lower than it for hospital stays (250). 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 Nicholas County may have a different set of plans than the counties around it. We are not based in Nicholas County; we help Nicholas County residents by phone or video call.
Hospitals located in Nicholas County
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) lists this hospital in Nicholas County:
- Summersville Regional Medical Center — Summersville (critical access; 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.
Nicholas County: communities and ZIP codes
The largest communities in Nicholas County by 2023 Census population estimates are Summersville (3,344), Richwood (1,623). Each figure counts only the people living inside the county.
Census ZIP Code Tabulation Areas mostly within Nicholas County number 16: 26202, 26205, 26610, 26617, 26651, 26656, 26660, 26662, 26667, 26671, 26676, 26678, 26679, 26681 and 2 more. Your exact ZIP code is what decides which plans you can join.
Questions about Medicare in Nicholas 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 Nicholas County residents
As an independent agency we are not tied to one insurer, so for Nicholas County residents we can compare ICHRA, group health insurance, life insurance, final expense insurance, annuities, Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement (Medigap), Part D drug plans and ACA health insurance.
Let’s check your Nicholas County options together
We confirm your doctors and prescriptions before you enroll, at no cost to you.
Get my plan comparisonPlain-English Medicare answers
- Do you really need a Medicare agent?
- Does Medicare cover dental, vision and hearing?
- What happens if you do nothing during open enrollment?
- Medicare 101 for families
Nicholas County compared with similar West Virginia counties
| County | Residents 65+ | Medicare Advantage share | Dual eligible share | Area type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jackson County | 6,009 | 61.8% | 20% | Rural |
| Wyoming County | 4,824 | 68.5% | 31% | Rural |
| Mingo County | 4,822 | 69.5% | 35% | Rural |
| Lincoln County | 4,266 | 72.0% | 33% | Rural |
| McDowell County | 4,111 | 67.2% | 44% | Rural |
| Lewis County | 3,471 | 60.5% | 24% | Rural |
See every West Virginia county in our West Virginia directory or go to our West Virginia Medicare hub.