Athens County is in Appalachian Ohio, the hills of the southeast and east, from Portsmouth and Athens to Marietta, Zanesville and Steubenville, with about 63,218 residents (Census 2024 estimate). Its largest towns are Athens, Nelsonville and Glouster.
2027 plans in Athens County at a glance
What it means if you live in Athens County
- That's 10 plans fewer than in 2026 (33). If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, check your Annual Notice of Change to see whether it continues and what changes. Wellcare stops selling regular Medicare Advantage plans here on December 31; at least 29 people in Athens County are in one of those plans. If that's you, here is what to do. (CMS data) Humana and Aetna end some Medicare Advantage plans here while keeping others; at least 1,152 people in Athens County are in one of those plans. Your plan's letter says whether yours is ending; here is what to do. (CMS data)
- 9 are HMOs (you generally use the plan's network) and 14 are PPOs (which also pay out-of-network doctors, usually at a higher cost to you).
- 8 plans have no Part D drug coverage. Those suit people who get drug coverage elsewhere, such as from the VA; otherwise you could owe a late-enrollment penalty for going without it.
- Special needs plans here: 11 for people with both Medicare and Ohio Medicaid; 4 for people with certain chronic conditions, such as diabetes or heart failure; 3 for people who live in a nursing home or need that level of care. You can join one only if you qualify.
- Athens County ranks 87th of Ohio's 88 counties for plans open to everyone. In the Appalachian Ohio region (26 counties), the count runs from 22 to 56.
- At least 5,686 people in Athens County were in a Medicare Advantage plan in October 2026.
Licensed insurance agents for Athens County
These independent insurance agents are licensed in Ohio and work with Benefits Life, the publisher of this site. When they enroll you in a plan, the agent and Benefits Life may be paid by the insurance company. Learn more.
See Medicare plans in Athens County
Enter your ZIP code to compare Medicare Advantage, Part D, and Medigap plans available where you live.
You'll go to PlanMatchMedicare.com, a plan comparison site from Benefits Life, the publisher of this site. Only your ZIP code is sent.
Original Medicare and Medigap
If you'd rather keep any doctor who takes Medicare, Original Medicare with a Medigap policy and a Part D plan works the same in every Ohio county. Medigap in Ohio.
Nearby counties
You can only join a Medicare Advantage plan sold in the county where you live.
| County | Plans open to everyone, 2027 | Special needs plans |
|---|---|---|
| Meigs County | 38 | 22 |
| Morgan County | 35 | 22 |
| Vinton County | 37 | 22 |
| Hocking County | 42 | 22 |
2026 Medicare costs (the same in every county)
| Cost | 2026 |
|---|---|
| Part B premium | $202.90 a month (standard) |
| Part B deductible | $283 a year |
| Part A deductible | $1,736 per benefit period |
| Part D out-of-pocket cap | $2,100 a year |
Other places to get answers
- Medicare: 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227), TTY 1-877-486-2048, 24 hours a day, or Medicare.gov.
- Social Security (signing up for Parts A and B, Extra Help): 1-800-772-1213, TTY 1-800-325-0778.
- Ohio Department of Medicaid (Ohio Medicaid and the Medicare Savings Programs; apply at your county job and family services office or online): medicaid.ohio.gov. Ohio Medicaid and Medicare.
- Ohio Department of Aging (your area agency on aging, in-home help and caregiver support): aging.ohio.gov.
- Ohio Department of Insurance (complaints about an insurance company or agent, agent license lookup): insurance.ohio.gov.
- More Ohio contacts, from appeals to fraud reporting: Ohio Medicare contacts.
Questions about Medicare in Athens County
How many Medicare Advantage plans are there in Athens County for 2027?
CMS lists 23 open to everyone with Medicare (33 in 2026), plus 18 special needs plans for people who qualify. You still pay your Part B premium.
When can I change my Medicare plan in Athens County?
Open Enrollment runs October 15 to December 7, for coverage starting January 1. If you're in a Medicare Advantage plan, you can switch plans or go back to Original Medicare once between January 1 and March 31. If your plan leaves your county, you get a Special Enrollment Period.
How do I find a licensed insurance agent in Athens County?
Use the agent search on this page, pick one agent and request a call, to compare plans with a licensed insurance agent at no cost to you. Agents listed here are licensed in Ohio.
Sources
Plans open to everyone are Medicare Advantage plans with or without drug coverage, not special needs plans. Enrollment counts HMO and PPO plans; CMS hides counts of 10 or fewer, so real numbers are a little higher.