Tuscaloosa County Medicare at a glance
| Tuscaloosa County | Alabama | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents age 65 and older | 34,292 | 932,312 statewide |
| Share of residents age 65+ | 14.4% | 18.3% statewide |
| People with Medicare | 39,356 | 1,148,442 statewide |
| Enrolled in Medicare Advantage | 23,244 | 706,387 statewide |
| Medicare Advantage share | 59.1% | 61.5% statewide |
Figures come from the Census Bureau and CMS (September 2026).
With roughly 34,292 residents age 65 and older, Tuscaloosa County is 7th among 67 Alabama counties for older residents. That group is 14.4% of its population, compared with 18.3% across Alabama. The 12,521 residents now between 60 and 64 will become Medicare-eligible soon, and our turning 65 guide walks through it. By age, the 65-and-older group splits 62% ages 65 to 74, 29% ages 75 to 84 and 9% age 85 and up (Census 2023). CMS data show 59.1% of Tuscaloosa County residents with Medicare chose Medicare Advantage, which is close to the 61.5% average across Alabama. 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 Tuscaloosa County
The U.S. Department of Agriculture classifies Tuscaloosa 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 39,746 Medicare beneficiaries in Tuscaloosa County (2023). Their average age is 71, about the same as the Alabama average of 72. About 18% are “dual eligible,” meaning they have both Medicare and Medicaid, higher than the state figure of 14%. 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 Tuscaloosa County, CMS reported about 514 emergency room visits and 247 inpatient hospital stays per 1,000 beneficiaries in 2023, which is lower than the state average for emergency visits (600) and close to it for hospital stays (247). 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 Tuscaloosa County may differ from those in a neighboring county. We are not based in Tuscaloosa County; we help Tuscaloosa County residents by phone or video call.
Hospitals located in Tuscaloosa County
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) lists this hospital in Tuscaloosa County:
- DCH Regional Medical Center — Tuscaloosa (acute care; government-owned; 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 Tuscaloosa County
Census Bureau 2023 estimates put the biggest communities in Tuscaloosa County at Tuscaloosa (111,338), Northport (31,111), Lake View (3,472), Brookwood (2,440), Vance (2,181), Coaling (1,986), counting only the part of each community inside the county.
Census ZIP Code Tabulation Areas mostly within Tuscaloosa County number 18: 35401, 35404, 35405, 35406, 35444, 35446, 35452, 35453, 35456, 35457, 35458, 35463, 35473, 35475 and 4 more. Your exact ZIP code is what decides which plans you can join.
Questions about Medicare in Tuscaloosa 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.
- Alabama Department of Insurance: Alabama’s insurance regulator, including agent license lookup.
Coverage we offer Tuscaloosa County residents
Here is what we can help Tuscaloosa County residents with, drawing on plans from many insurers: Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement (Medigap), Part D drug plans, ACA health insurance, ICHRA, group health insurance, life insurance, final expense insurance and annuities.
Ready to compare plans in Tuscaloosa County?
Tell us your doctors and medicines and we will show you what fits. No cost, no pressure.
Get my plan comparisonMedicare guides for Tuscaloosa County residents
- 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
Tuscaloosa County compared with similar Alabama counties
| County | Residents 65+ | Medicare Advantage share | Dual eligible share | Area type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Montgomery County | 37,666 | 63.3% | 13% | Metro |
| Shelby County | 40,691 | 61.0% | 6% | Metro |
| Lee County | 25,595 | 58.0% | 12% | Metro |
| Morgan County | 23,040 | 55.1% | 13% | Metro |
| Calhoun County | 21,825 | 57.0% | 14% | Metro |
| Houston County | 20,813 | 60.9% | 14% | Metro |
See every Alabama county in our Alabama directory or go to our Alabama Medicare hub.