Medicare in Parmer County by the numbers
| Parmer County | Texas | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents age 65 and older | 1,489 | 4,188,063 statewide |
| Share of residents age 65+ | 15.5% | 13.7% statewide |
| People with Medicare | 1,550 | 5,048,909 statewide |
| Enrolled in Medicare Advantage | 389 | 2,770,279 statewide |
| Medicare Advantage share | 25.1% | 54.9% statewide |
Figures come from the Census Bureau and CMS (September 2026).
Parmer County ranks 176th of 254 Texas counties by number of residents age 65 and older, with about 1,489 people in that age group, or 15.5% of residents (statewide: 13.7%). The 569 residents now between 60 and 64 will become Medicare-eligible soon, and our turning 65 guide walks through it. Among residents 65 and older, 57% are 65 to 74, 30% are 75 to 84 and 13% are 85 or older (Census 2023 estimates). Medicare Advantage enrollment in Parmer County is 25.1% of people with Medicare, lower than the Texas average of 54.9%. 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 Parmer County
Parmer County is a rural county; the U.S. Department of Agriculture describes it as: urban population of fewer than 5,000, not 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 1,545 Medicare beneficiaries in Parmer County (2023). Their average age is 74, about the same as the Texas average of 73. About 11% are “dual eligible,” meaning they have both Medicare and Medicaid, close to the state figure of 11%.
Among people in Original Medicare in Parmer County, CMS reported about 622 emergency room visits and 225 inpatient hospital stays per 1,000 beneficiaries in 2023, which is close to the state average for emergency visits (580) and close to it for hospital stays (226). 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.
Insurers choose which counties to serve each year, which means the Medicare Advantage and Part D plans you can pick in Parmer County can be different from the ones offered next door. We are not based in Parmer County; we help Parmer County residents by phone or video call.
Hospitals located in Parmer County
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) lists this hospital in Parmer County:
- Parmer County Community Hospital — Friona (critical access; nonprofit; emergency services)
A hospital being in the county does not mean every plan covers it. Medicare Advantage networks differ by plan, so we check the hospitals and doctors you actually use before you enroll. 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 Parmer County
Census Bureau 2023 estimates put the biggest communities in Parmer County at Friona (4,057), Bovina (1,649), Farwell (1,380), counting only the part of each community inside the county.
ZIP codes that fall mostly inside Parmer County include 79009, 79035, 79053, 79325. Plan availability can change by ZIP code, so have yours ready when we compare plans.
Questions about Medicare in Parmer 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.
- Texas Department of Insurance: Texas’s insurance regulator, including agent license lookup.
Coverage we offer Parmer County residents
As an independent agency we are not tied to one insurer, so for Parmer County residents we can compare ACA health insurance, ICHRA, group health insurance, life insurance, final expense insurance, annuities, Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement (Medigap) and Part D drug plans.
Ready to compare plans in Parmer County?
Tell us your doctors and medicines and we will show you what fits. No cost, no pressure.
Get my plan comparisonRead next
- 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
Parmer County compared with similar Texas counties
| County | Residents 65+ | Medicare Advantage share | Dual eligible share | Area type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Refugio County | 1,466 | 57.7% | 14% | Rural |
| Jack County | 1,531 | 34.0% | 10% | Rural |
| Kimble County | 1,375 | 26.9% | 11% | Rural |
| Presidio County | 1,363 | 45.6% | 41% | Rural |
| San Saba County | 1,349 | 42.1% | 11% | Rural |
| Duval County | 1,694 | 69.0% | 35% | Rural |
See every Texas county in our Texas directory or go to our Texas Medicare hub.