Runnels County Medicare at a glance
| Runnels County | Texas | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents age 65 and older | 2,078 | 4,188,063 statewide |
| Share of residents age 65+ | 21.1% | 13.7% statewide |
| People with Medicare | 2,633 | 5,048,909 statewide |
| Enrolled in Medicare Advantage | 816 | 2,770,279 statewide |
| Medicare Advantage share | 31.0% | 54.9% statewide |
Data: U.S. Census Bureau (2023 population estimates); CMS, September 2026. Medicare Advantage share is enrollees divided by people with Medicare.
Among Texas’s 254 counties, Runnels County comes in 160th for residents age 65 and up (2,078). Older adults make up 21.1% of the population here; the state figure is 13.7%. About 649 more people are 60 to 64 and are heading toward Medicare; our turning 65 guide explains their first steps. Census 2023 estimates show 55% of the 65-plus population is under 75, 32% is 75 to 84 and 12% is 85 or older. CMS data show 31.0% of Runnels County residents with Medicare chose Medicare Advantage, which is lower than the 54.9% average across Texas. 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 Runnels County
Runnels 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 2,715 Medicare beneficiaries in Runnels County (2023). Their average age is 74, about the same as the Texas average of 73. About 13% are “dual eligible,” meaning they have both Medicare and Medicaid, close to the state figure of 11%.
Among people in Original Medicare in Runnels County, CMS reported about 686 emergency room visits and 249 inpatient hospital stays per 1,000 beneficiaries in 2023, which is higher than 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.
Where you live decides which Medicare Advantage and Part D plans you can join, and Runnels County may have a different set of plans than the counties around it. We are not based in Runnels County; we help Runnels County residents by phone or video call.
Hospitals located in Runnels County
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) lists these hospitals in Runnels County:
- Ballinger Memorial Hospital — Ballinger (critical access; government-owned; emergency services)
- North Runnels Hospital — Winters (critical access; government-owned; 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 Runnels County
Census Bureau 2023 estimates put the biggest communities in Runnels County at Ballinger (3,581), Winters (2,319), Miles (923), counting only the part of each community inside the county.
We look up plans by ZIP code. In Runnels County, that means areas such as 76821, 76865, 76875, 76882, 79567, based on Census ZIP Code Tabulation Areas that lie mostly in the county.
Questions about Medicare in Runnels 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 Runnels County residents
Here is what we can help Runnels County residents with, drawing on plans from many insurers: life insurance, final expense insurance, annuities, Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement (Medigap), Part D drug plans, ACA health insurance, ICHRA and group health insurance.
Ready to compare plans in Runnels County?
Tell us your doctors and medicines and we will show you what fits. No cost, no pressure.
Get my plan comparisonMedicare guides for Runnels 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
Runnels County compared with similar Texas counties
| County | Residents 65+ | Medicare Advantage share | Dual eligible share | Area type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Augustine County | 2,096 | 48.4% | 16% | Rural |
| Madison County | 2,139 | 53.3% | 13% | Rural |
| Somervell County | 2,017 | 47.6% | 8% | Rural |
| Karnes County | 2,158 | 49.8% | 12% | Rural |
| Coleman County | 1,998 | 30.8% | 16% | Rural |
| Hamilton County | 2,172 | 50.9% | 10% | Rural |
See every Texas county in our Texas directory or go to our Texas Medicare hub.