The numbers behind Medicare in Potter County
| Potter County | Texas | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents age 65 and older | 16,643 | 4,188,063 statewide |
| Share of residents age 65+ | 14.5% | 13.7% statewide |
| People with Medicare | 20,648 | 5,048,909 statewide |
| Enrolled in Medicare Advantage | 10,513 | 2,770,279 statewide |
| Medicare Advantage share | 50.9% | 54.9% statewide |
Figures come from the Census Bureau and CMS (September 2026).
Potter County ranks 43rd of 254 Texas counties by number of residents age 65 and older, with about 16,643 people in that age group, or 14.5% of residents (statewide: 13.7%). The 6,065 residents now between 60 and 64 will become Medicare-eligible soon, and our turning 65 guide walks through it. Census 2023 estimates show 58% of the 65-plus population is under 75, 29% is 75 to 84 and 13% is 85 or older. Medicare Advantage enrollment in Potter County is 50.9% of people with Medicare, close to the Texas average of 54.9%. What most people do in a county is less important than what fits you. We weigh Medicare Advantage against Original Medicare with Medigap using your doctors, your drugs and your budget.
Who has Medicare in Potter County
The U.S. Department of Agriculture classifies Potter County as a metro county (counties in metro areas of 250,000 to 1 million population). Counties like this tend to have a wider choice of hospitals and Medicare plans than rural ones, though networks still differ plan by plan.
CMS counts 20,629 Medicare beneficiaries in Potter County (2023). Their average age is 73, about the same as the Texas average of 73. About 16% are “dual eligible,” meaning they have both Medicare and Medicaid, higher than the state figure of 11%. 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 Potter County, CMS reported about 579 emergency room visits and 242 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 11% 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 Potter County may differ from those in a neighboring county. We are not based in Potter County; we help Potter County residents by phone or video call.
Hospitals located in Potter County
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) lists these hospitals in Potter County:
- BSA Hospital — Amarillo (acute care; for-profit; emergency services; CMS overall rating 2 of 5)
- Northwest Texas Hospital — Amarillo (acute care; nonprofit; emergency services; CMS overall rating 3 of 5)
- Quail Creek Surgical Hospital — Amarillo (acute care; for-profit; 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.
Potter County: communities and ZIP codes
Census Bureau 2023 estimates put the biggest communities in Potter County at Amarillo (98,792), Bishop Hills (201), counting only the part of each community inside the county.
Census ZIP Code Tabulation Areas mostly within Potter County number 11: 79010, 79058, 79101, 79102, 79103, 79104, 79106, 79107, 79108, 79111, 79124. Your exact ZIP code is what decides which plans you can join.
Questions about Medicare in Potter 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.
- Texas Department of Insurance: Texas’s insurance regulator, including agent license lookup.
Coverage we offer Potter County residents
We work with many carriers, which lets us compare more than one option for Potter County households, including Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement (Medigap), Part D drug plans, ACA health insurance, ICHRA, group health insurance, life insurance, final expense insurance and annuities.
Get a clear answer for Potter County
A short call is enough to compare your options. Our help is free to you.
Get my plan comparisonMedicare guides for Potter County residents
- What Medicare Part D actually costs
- Medigap Plan G vs. Plan N
- What happens if you do nothing during open enrollment?
- When can you switch Medicare plans? Every enrollment window
Potter County compared with similar Texas counties
| County | Residents 65+ | Medicare Advantage share | Dual eligible share | Area type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rockwall County | 16,728 | 43.5% | 7% | Metro |
| Ector County | 16,473 | 54.5% | 18% | Metro |
| Bowie County | 16,221 | 43.9% | 13% | Metro |
| Victoria County | 16,078 | 54.2% | 10% | Metro |
| Bastrop County | 17,331 | 54.4% | 8% | Metro |
| Hunt County | 17,498 | 47.5% | 11% | Metro |
See every Texas county in our Texas directory or go to our Texas Medicare hub.