The numbers behind Medicare in City of Portsmouth
| City of Portsmouth | Virginia | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents age 65 and older | 15,095 | 1,498,879 statewide |
| Share of residents age 65+ | 15.6% | 17.2% statewide |
| People with Medicare | 19,333 | 1,764,998 statewide |
| Enrolled in Medicare Advantage | 10,061 | 698,851 statewide |
| Medicare Advantage share | 52.0% | 39.6% statewide |
Figures come from the Census Bureau and CMS (September 2026).
With roughly 15,095 residents age 65 and older, City of Portsmouth is 27th among 133 Virginia counties for older residents. That group is 15.6% of its population, compared with 17.2% across Virginia. About 5,987 more people are 60 to 64 and are heading toward Medicare; our turning 65 guide explains their first steps. Census 2023 estimates show 61% of the 65-plus population is under 75, 29% is 75 to 84 and 9% is 85 or older. About 52.0% of people with Medicare in City of Portsmouth are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan. That is higher than the Virginia average of 39.6%. 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 City of Portsmouth
City of Portsmouth sits in a metro area, which the USDA defines as counties in metro areas of 1 million population or more. That usually means more doctors, more hospitals and more plan choices in the area.
CMS counts 19,940 Medicare beneficiaries in City of Portsmouth (2023). Their average age is 72, younger than the Virginia average of 74. About 13% are “dual eligible,” meaning they have both Medicare and Medicaid, higher than the state figure of 9%. 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 City of Portsmouth, CMS reported about 809 emergency room visits and 236 inpatient hospital stays per 1,000 beneficiaries in 2023, which is higher than the state average for emergency visits (589) and higher than it for hospital stays (206). About 10% 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 City of Portsmouth can be different from the ones offered next door. We are not based in City of Portsmouth; we help City of Portsmouth residents by phone or video call.
Hospitals located in City of Portsmouth
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) lists this hospital in City of Portsmouth:
- Bon Secours Maryview Medical Center — Portsmouth (acute care; nonprofit; emergency services; CMS overall rating 3 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.
Where people live in City of Portsmouth
The largest communities in City of Portsmouth by 2023 Census population estimates are Portsmouth (96,793). Each figure counts only the people living inside the county.
ZIP codes that fall mostly inside City of Portsmouth include 23701, 23702, 23703, 23704, 23707, 23708, 23709. Plan availability can change by ZIP code, so have yours ready when we compare plans.
Questions about Medicare in City of Portsmouth?
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.
- Medicare Care Compare for hospitals and doctors.
- Social Security: Medicare to enroll or check status.
- Medicare.gov: Medigap on how Medicare Supplement works.
- Virginia Bureau of Insurance: Virginia’s insurance regulator, including agent license lookup.
Coverage we offer City of Portsmouth residents
Here is what we can help City of Portsmouth residents with, drawing on plans from many insurers: annuities, Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement (Medigap), Part D drug plans, ACA health insurance, ICHRA, group health insurance, life insurance and final expense insurance.
Get a clear answer for City of Portsmouth
A short call is enough to compare your options. Our help is free to you.
Get my plan comparisonMedicare guides for City of Portsmouth residents
- Does Medicare cover dental, vision and hearing?
- What happens if you do nothing during open enrollment?
- Medicare 101 for families
- Why a Medicare Advantage plan drops a doctor or drug
City of Portsmouth compared with similar Virginia counties
| County | Residents 65+ | Medicare Advantage share | Dual eligible share | Area type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| City of Suffolk | 15,699 | 41.8% | 8% | Metro |
| Montgomery County | 14,290 | 35.4% | 8% | Metro |
| Franklin County | 14,066 | 45.3% | 8% | Metro |
| Washington County | 13,565 | 54.0% | 11% | Metro |
| Fauquier County | 13,440 | 27.3% | 6% | Metro |
| York County | 13,033 | 26.1% | 3% | Metro |
See every Virginia county in our Virginia directory or go to our Virginia Medicare hub.