Ware County Medicare at a glance
| Ware County | Georgia | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents age 65 and older | 6,373 | 1,696,217 statewide |
| Share of residents age 65+ | 17.6% | 15.4% statewide |
| People with Medicare | 8,304 | 2,041,931 statewide |
| Enrolled in Medicare Advantage | 4,972 | 1,148,032 statewide |
| Medicare Advantage share | 59.9% | 56.2% statewide |
Figures come from the Census Bureau and CMS (September 2026).
With roughly 6,373 residents age 65 and older, Ware County is 61st among 159 Georgia counties for older residents. That group is 17.6% of its population, compared with 15.4% across Georgia. The 2,163 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 59% ages 65 to 74, 31% ages 75 to 84 and 11% age 85 and up (Census 2023). About 59.9% of people with Medicare in Ware County are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan. That is close to the Georgia average of 56.2%. 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 Ware County
Ware County is a smaller-city and town county; the U.S. Department of Agriculture describes it as: urban population of 20,000 or more, not 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 8,680 Medicare beneficiaries in Ware County (2023). Their average age is 73, about the same as the Georgia average of 73. About 19% are “dual eligible,” meaning they have both Medicare and Medicaid, higher than the state figure of 12%. 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 Ware County, CMS reported about 719 emergency room visits and 272 inpatient hospital stays per 1,000 beneficiaries in 2023, which is higher than the state average for emergency visits (560) and higher than it for hospital stays (223). 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.
Where you live decides which Medicare Advantage and Part D plans you can join, and Ware County may have a different set of plans than the counties around it. We are not based in Ware County; we help Ware County residents by phone or video call.
Hospitals located in Ware County
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) lists this hospital in Ware County:
- Memorial Satilla Health — Waycross (acute care; nonprofit; emergency services; CMS overall rating 3 of 5)
Network rules, not geography, decide whether a plan covers a hospital. We look up the hospitals and doctors you use and check them against each plan 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.
Ware County: communities and ZIP codes
The largest communities in Ware County by 2023 Census population estimates are Waycross (13,708). Each figure counts only the people living inside the county.
Census ZIP Code Tabulation Areas mostly within Ware County number 5: 31501, 31503, 31550, 31552, 31564. Your exact ZIP code is what decides which plans you can join.
Questions about Medicare in Ware 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.
- Georgia Access, Georgia’s own health insurance exchange, if you are not yet on Medicare.
- Medicare Care Compare for hospitals and doctors.
- Social Security: Medicare to enroll or check status.
- Georgia Office of Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner: Georgia’s insurance regulator, including agent license lookup.
Coverage we offer Ware County residents
As an independent agency we are not tied to one insurer, so for Ware County residents we can compare life insurance, final expense insurance, annuities, Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement (Medigap), Part D drug plans, ACA health insurance, ICHRA and group health insurance.
Let’s check your Ware County options together
We confirm your doctors and prescriptions before you enroll, at no cost to you.
Get my plan comparisonRead next
- What Medicare Part D actually costs
- Can I change my Medicare plan after December 7?
- How to read your Medicare Annual Notice of Change
- Medigap Plan G vs. Plan N
Ware County compared with similar Georgia counties
| County | Residents 65+ | Medicare Advantage share | Dual eligible share | Area type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coffee County | 6,393 | 62.7% | 19% | Smaller city/town |
| Hart County | 6,331 | 54.0% | 13% | Smaller city/town |
| Tift County | 6,910 | 62.3% | 16% | Smaller city/town |
| Stephens County | 5,781 | 58.7% | 15% | Smaller city/town |
| Polk County | 7,044 | 61.2% | 17% | Smaller city/town |
| Sumter County | 5,305 | 66.3% | 16% | Smaller city/town |
See every Georgia county in our Georgia directory or go to our Georgia Medicare hub.