The numbers behind Medicare in Wise County
| Wise County | Virginia | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents age 65 and older | 7,144 | 1,498,879 statewide |
| Share of residents age 65+ | 20.3% | 17.2% statewide |
| People with Medicare | 10,475 | 1,764,998 statewide |
| Enrolled in Medicare Advantage | 7,362 | 698,851 statewide |
| Medicare Advantage share | 70.3% | 39.6% statewide |
Data: U.S. Census Bureau (2023 population estimates); CMS, September 2026. Medicare Advantage share is enrollees divided by people with Medicare.
With roughly 7,144 residents age 65 and older, Wise County is 52nd among 133 Virginia counties for older residents. That group is 20.3% of its population, compared with 17.2% across Virginia. About 2,270 more people are 60 to 64 and are heading toward Medicare; our turning 65 guide explains their first steps. By age, the 65-and-older group splits 62% ages 65 to 74, 30% ages 75 to 84 and 8% age 85 and up (Census 2023). About 70.3% of people with Medicare in Wise County are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan. That is higher than the Virginia average of 39.6%. 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 Wise County
The USDA classifies Wise County as: urban population of 5,000 to 20,000, not adjacent to a metro area. In counties of this type, people often travel to a larger neighboring county for specialists, so we check whether your plan’s network reaches there.
CMS counts 11,034 Medicare beneficiaries in Wise County (2023). Their average age is 70, younger than the Virginia average of 74. About 21% are “dual eligible,” meaning they have both Medicare and Medicaid, higher than the state figure of 9%. 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 Wise County, CMS reported about 674 emergency room visits and 220 inpatient hospital stays per 1,000 beneficiaries in 2023, which is higher than the state average for emergency visits (589) and close to it for hospital stays (206). About 10% 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 Wise County may have a different set of plans than the counties around it. We are not based in Wise County; we help Wise County residents by phone or video call.
Hospitals located in Wise County
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) lists this hospital in Wise County:
- Lonesome Pine Hospital — Big Stone Gap (acute care; nonprofit; emergency services; CMS overall rating 4 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.
Communities and ZIP codes in Wise County
Census Bureau 2023 estimates put the biggest communities in Wise County at Big Stone Gap (5,114), Wise (2,890), Coeburn (1,562), Appalachia (1,387), Pound (844), St. Paul (678), counting only the part of each community inside the county.
ZIP codes that fall mostly inside Wise County include 24216, 24219, 24230, 24246, 24273, 24279, 24283, 24293. Plan availability can change by ZIP code, so have yours ready when we compare plans.
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.
- Virginia’s Insurance Marketplace, Virginia’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.
- Virginia Bureau of Insurance: Virginia’s insurance regulator, including agent license lookup.
Coverage we offer Wise County residents
Here is what we can help Wise 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 Wise County?
Tell us your doctors and medicines and we will show you what fits. No cost, no pressure.
Get my plan comparisonPlain-English Medicare answers
- What Medicare Part D actually costs
- Medicare 101 for families
- How to read your Medicare Annual Notice of Change
- When can you switch Medicare plans? Every enrollment window
Wise County compared with similar Virginia counties
| County | Residents 65+ | Medicare Advantage share | Dual eligible share | Area type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Smyth County | 6,698 | 52.7% | 18% | Smaller city/town |
| Carroll County | 7,819 | 39.8% | 14% | Smaller city/town |
| Wythe County | 6,375 | 53.8% | 15% | Smaller city/town |
| Rockbridge County | 6,320 | 32.1% | 8% | Smaller city/town |
| Orange County | 8,069 | 37.0% | 8% | Smaller city/town |
| Mecklenburg County | 8,445 | 45.8% | 12% | Smaller city/town |
See every Virginia county in our Virginia directory or go to our Virginia Medicare hub.