Wise County Medicare at a glance
| Wise County | Texas | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents age 65 and older | 12,412 | 4,188,063 statewide |
| Share of residents age 65+ | 15.9% | 13.7% statewide |
| People with Medicare | 15,902 | 5,048,909 statewide |
| Enrolled in Medicare Advantage | 7,928 | 2,770,279 statewide |
| Medicare Advantage share | 49.9% | 54.9% statewide |
Figures come from the Census Bureau and CMS (September 2026).
With roughly 12,412 residents age 65 and older, Wise County is 54th among 254 Texas counties for older residents. That group is 15.9% of its population, compared with 13.7% across Texas. Another 5,412 residents are age 60 to 64 and will reach Medicare eligibility within about five years (see our turning 65 guide). Among residents 65 and older, 62% are 65 to 74, 31% are 75 to 84 and 8% are 85 or older (Census 2023 estimates). CMS data show 49.9% of Wise County residents with Medicare chose Medicare Advantage, which is lower than the 54.9% average across Texas. A county average does not tell you which kind of plan fits you. Whether Medicare Advantage or Original Medicare with a Medigap plan is the better fit depends on your doctors, your prescriptions and how you want to handle costs, so we compare both for your ZIP code.
Who has Medicare in Wise County
Wise County sits in a metro area, which the USDA defines as counties in metro areas of 1 million population or more. That usually means more doctors, more hospitals and more plan choices in the area.
CMS counts 14,687 Medicare beneficiaries in Wise County (2023). Their average age is 73, about the same as the Texas average of 73. About 7% are “dual eligible,” meaning they have both Medicare and Medicaid, lower than the state figure of 11%.
Among people in Original Medicare in Wise County, CMS reported about 613 emergency room visits and 260 inpatient hospital stays per 1,000 beneficiaries in 2023, which is close to the state average for emergency visits (580) and higher than it for hospital stays (226). About 13% 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 Wise County can be different from the ones offered next door. We are not based in Wise County; we help Wise County residents by phone or video call.
Hospitals and doctors near Wise County
CMS Hospital General Information lists no acute care, critical access or children’s hospital located inside Wise County. Residents often use hospitals in neighboring counties, which matters for Medicare Advantage because a plan’s network may include or leave out the hospital you use. We check your hospitals and doctors before you enroll.
Communities and ZIP codes in Wise County
The largest communities in Wise County by 2023 Census population estimates are Decatur (8,016), Bridgeport (6,514), Runaway Bay (1,990), Rhome (1,843), Boyd (1,757), Aurora (1,554). Each figure counts only the people living inside the county.
Census ZIP Code Tabulation Areas mostly within Wise County number 9: 76023, 76071, 76073, 76078, 76225, 76234, 76267, 76426, 76431. Your exact ZIP code is what decides which plans you can join.
Questions about Medicare in Wise 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 Wise County residents
As an independent agency we are not tied to one insurer, so for Wise 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 Wise County
A short call is enough to compare your options. Our help is free to you.
Get my plan comparisonMedicare guides for Wise County residents
- How to read your Medicare Annual Notice of Change
- Does Medicare cover dental, vision and hearing?
- Why a Medicare Advantage plan drops a doctor or drug
- Medicare Parts A, B, C and D explained
Wise County compared with similar Texas counties
| County | Residents 65+ | Medicare Advantage share | Dual eligible share | Area type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liberty County | 12,335 | 64.7% | 14% | Metro |
| Harrison County | 12,705 | 52.2% | 10% | Metro |
| San Patricio County | 11,003 | 67.7% | 13% | Metro |
| Orange County | 14,023 | 54.8% | 9% | Metro |
| Kendall County | 10,474 | 39.6% | 4% | Metro |
| Hardin County | 10,404 | 54.9% | 11% | Metro |
See every Texas county in our Texas directory or go to our Texas Medicare hub.