Medicare in Washington County by the numbers
| Washington County | Texas | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents age 65 and older | 8,599 | 4,188,063 statewide |
| Share of residents age 65+ | 23.2% | 13.7% statewide |
| People with Medicare | 10,579 | 5,048,909 statewide |
| Enrolled in Medicare Advantage | 4,318 | 2,770,279 statewide |
| Medicare Advantage share | 40.8% | 54.9% statewide |
Sources: Census Bureau 2023 estimates and CMS Medicare Advantage penetration, September 2026.
With roughly 8,599 residents age 65 and older, Washington County is 70th among 254 Texas counties for older residents. That group is 23.2% of its population, compared with 13.7% across Texas. The 2,615 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 57% ages 65 to 74, 31% ages 75 to 84 and 12% age 85 and up (Census 2023). About 40.8% of people with Medicare in Washington County are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan. That is lower than the Texas average of 54.9%. 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 Washington County
Washington 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 9,952 Medicare beneficiaries in Washington County (2023). Their average age is 74, about the same as the Texas average of 73. About 9% are “dual eligible,” meaning they have both Medicare and Medicaid, close to the state figure of 11%.
Among people in Original Medicare in Washington County, CMS reported about 232 emergency room visits and 183 inpatient hospital stays per 1,000 beneficiaries in 2023, which is lower than the state average for emergency visits (580) and lower than it for hospital stays (226). 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 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:
- Baylor Scott & White Hospital Brenham — Brenham (acute care; nonprofit; emergency services)
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.
Communities and ZIP codes in Washington County
People in Washington County live in communities such as Brenham (19,142), Burton (282) (2023 population estimates, counting only the part of each community that lies inside the county).
ZIP codes that fall mostly inside Washington County include 77426, 77833, 77835, 77880, 78932. Plan availability can change by ZIP code, so have yours ready when we compare plans.
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.
- Texas Department of Insurance: Texas’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: ACA health insurance, ICHRA, group health insurance, life insurance, final expense insurance, annuities, Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement (Medigap) and Part D drug plans.
Ready to compare plans in Washington County?
Tell us your doctors and medicines and we will show you what fits. No cost, no pressure.
Get my plan comparisonRead next
- What happens if you do nothing during open enrollment?
- Medicare Parts A, B, C and D explained
- Do you really need a Medicare agent?
- When can you switch Medicare plans? Every enrollment window
Washington County compared with similar Texas counties
| County | Residents 65+ | Medicare Advantage share | Dual eligible share | Area type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gillespie County | 8,553 | 29.8% | 5% | Smaller city/town |
| Cooke County | 8,531 | 41.9% | 7% | Smaller city/town |
| Llano County | 8,515 | 46.8% | 5% | Smaller city/town |
| Brown County | 8,211 | 39.7% | 16% | Smaller city/town |
| Anderson County | 9,081 | 54.3% | 12% | Smaller city/town |
| Navarro County | 9,263 | 52.3% | 16% | Smaller city/town |
See every Texas county in our Texas directory or go to our Texas Medicare hub.