The numbers behind Medicare in Washington County
| Washington County | Alabama | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents age 65 and older | 3,240 | 932,312 statewide |
| Share of residents age 65+ | 21.6% | 18.3% statewide |
| People with Medicare | 4,549 | 1,148,442 statewide |
| Enrolled in Medicare Advantage | 2,878 | 706,387 statewide |
| Medicare Advantage share | 63.3% | 61.5% statewide |
Sources: Census Bureau 2023 estimates and CMS Medicare Advantage penetration, September 2026.
Washington County ranks 53rd of 67 Alabama counties by number of residents age 65 and older, with about 3,240 people in that age group, or 21.6% of residents (statewide: 18.3%). The 1,130 residents now between 60 and 64 will become Medicare-eligible soon, and our turning 65 guide walks through it. Among residents 65 and older, 58% are 65 to 74, 33% are 75 to 84 and 9% are 85 or older (Census 2023 estimates). About 63.3% of people with Medicare in Washington County are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan. That is close to the Alabama average of 61.5%. 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 Washington County
Washington County is a rural county (USDA: urban population of fewer than 5,000, adjacent to a metro area). Plan choices can be narrower than in a city, and we focus on networks that include the doctors and hospital you actually use.
CMS counts 4,544 Medicare beneficiaries in Washington County (2023). Their average age is 72, 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 Washington County, CMS reported about 686 emergency room visits and 263 inpatient hospital stays per 1,000 beneficiaries in 2023, which is higher than the state average for emergency visits (600) and close to it for hospital stays (247). About 12% 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 Washington County can be different from the ones offered next door. We are not based in Washington County; we help Washington County residents by phone or video call.
Hospitals located in Washington County
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) lists this hospital in Washington County:
- Washington County Hospital — Chatom (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.
Washington County: communities and ZIP codes
People in Washington County live in communities such as Chatom (1,068), Millry (438), McIntosh (197) (2023 population estimates, counting only the part of each community that lies inside the county).
Census ZIP Code Tabulation Areas mostly within Washington County number 14: 36513, 36518, 36529, 36538, 36539, 36548, 36553, 36556, 36558, 36569, 36581, 36583, 36584, 36585. Your exact ZIP code is what decides which plans you can join.
Questions about Medicare in Washington 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 Washington County residents
Here is what we can help Washington County residents with, drawing on plans from many insurers: ICHRA, group health insurance, life insurance, final expense insurance, annuities, Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement (Medigap), Part D drug plans and ACA health insurance.
Get a clear answer for Washington County
A short call is enough to compare your options. Our help is free to you.
Get my plan comparisonRead next
- Medicare Advantage vs. Medigap: how to choose
- Medigap Plan G vs. Plan N
- Why a Medicare Advantage plan drops a doctor or drug
- Can I change my Medicare plan after December 7?
Washington County compared with similar Alabama counties
| County | Residents 65+ | Medicare Advantage share | Dual eligible share | Area type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lamar County | 3,105 | 45.2% | 18% | Rural |
| Clay County | 3,084 | 63.0% | 17% | Rural |
| Cleburne County | 3,053 | 53.7% | 18% | Rural |
| Choctaw County | 3,040 | 59.6% | 21% | Rural |
| Fayette County | 3,554 | 62.2% | 21% | Rural |
| Conecuh County | 2,819 | 65.4% | 22% | Rural |
See every Alabama county in our Alabama directory or go to our Alabama Medicare hub.