Transylvania County Medicare at a glance
| Transylvania County | North Carolina | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents age 65 and older | 10,797 | 1,908,489 statewide |
| Share of residents age 65+ | 32.2% | 17.6% statewide |
| People with Medicare | 10,863 | 2,336,840 statewide |
| Enrolled in Medicare Advantage | 5,570 | 1,353,169 statewide |
| Medicare Advantage share | 51.3% | 57.9% statewide |
Figures come from the Census Bureau and CMS (September 2026).
Among North Carolina’s 100 counties, Transylvania County comes in 51st for residents age 65 and up (10,797). Older adults make up 32.2% of the population here; the state figure is 17.6%. Another 2,763 residents are age 60 to 64 and will reach Medicare eligibility within about five years (see our turning 65 guide). Census 2023 estimates show 54% of the 65-plus population is under 75, 35% is 75 to 84 and 12% is 85 or older. CMS data show 51.3% of Transylvania County residents with Medicare chose Medicare Advantage, which is lower than the 57.9% average across North Carolina. 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 Transylvania County
Transylvania County is a smaller-city and town county; the U.S. Department of Agriculture describes it as: urban population of 5,000 to 20,000, adjacent to a metro area. Counties like this often sit between a metro area and rural communities, so some residents use hospitals and specialists in a neighboring county and a plan’s network across the county line matters.
CMS counts 11,226 Medicare beneficiaries in Transylvania County (2023). Their average age is 75, older than the North Carolina average of 73. About 8% are “dual eligible,” meaning they have both Medicare and Medicaid, lower than the state figure of 13%.
Among people in Original Medicare in Transylvania County, CMS reported about 478 emergency room visits and 196 inpatient hospital stays per 1,000 beneficiaries in 2023, which is lower than the state average for emergency visits (572) and close to it for hospital stays (210). 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.
Insurers choose which counties to serve each year, which means the Medicare Advantage and Part D plans you can pick in Transylvania County can be different from the ones offered next door. We are not based in Transylvania County; we help Transylvania County residents by phone or video call.
Hospitals located in Transylvania County
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) lists this hospital in Transylvania County:
- Transylvania Regional Hospital — Brevard (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.
Where people live in Transylvania County
Census Bureau 2023 estimates put the biggest communities in Transylvania County at Brevard (7,847), Rosman (744), counting only the part of each community inside the county.
Census ZIP Code Tabulation Areas mostly within Transylvania County number 8: 28708, 28712, 28718, 28747, 28766, 28768, 28772, 28774. Your exact ZIP code is what decides which plans you can join.
Questions about Medicare in Transylvania 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.
- North Carolina Department of Insurance: North Carolina’s insurance regulator, including agent license lookup.
Coverage we offer Transylvania County residents
As an independent agency we are not tied to one insurer, so for Transylvania County residents we can compare group health insurance, life insurance, final expense insurance, annuities, Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement (Medigap), Part D drug plans, ACA health insurance and ICHRA.
Get a clear answer for Transylvania County
A short call is enough to compare your options. Our help is free to you.
Get my plan comparisonMedicare guides for Transylvania County residents
- Why a Medicare Advantage plan drops a doctor or drug
- Can I change my Medicare plan after December 7?
- What happens if you do nothing during open enrollment?
- Medicare Parts A, B, C and D explained
Transylvania County compared with similar North Carolina counties
| County | Residents 65+ | Medicare Advantage share | Dual eligible share | Area type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sampson County | 10,961 | 63.9% | 15% | Smaller city/town |
| Columbus County | 10,623 | 60.3% | 18% | Smaller city/town |
| Halifax County | 10,598 | 61.6% | 23% | Smaller city/town |
| Macon County | 11,200 | 45.6% | 10% | Smaller city/town |
| Granville County | 11,428 | 57.4% | 20% | Smaller city/town |
| Lee County | 11,634 | 56.5% | 11% | Smaller city/town |
See every North Carolina county in our North Carolina directory or go to our North Carolina Medicare hub.