The current Medicare enrollment numbers

As of 2024, approximately 67 million people are enrolled in Medicare in the United States. This number has grown steadily over the past decade as the population ages and more people reach age 65, the standard age to become may be able to access for Medicare Part A and Part B.

The enrollment figure includes people who are 65 and older, as well as some younger people with disabilities or end-stage renal disease. The exact count changes month to month as new people turn 65 and enroll, and as people move between different Medicare plans or leave the program.

Key Takeaways

  • About 67 million Americans are currently enrolled in Medicare, a number that continues to grow each year.
  • Most Medicare enrollees are age 65 and older, but the program also covers some people under 65 with disabilities or specific medical conditions.
  • Medicare enrollment varies by state, with states like California, Florida, and Texas having the highest numbers of beneficiaries.
  • The growth in Medicare enrollment is expected to continue as the Baby Boomer generation ages into the program.

How enrollment breaks down by age and may be able to access

The majority of Medicare enrollees — roughly 90 percent — are age 65 or older. The remaining 10 percent are younger people who became may be able to access through disability benefits or because they have end-stage renal disease or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

Within the 65-and-older group, enrollment is not evenly distributed by age. The largest single group is people ages 75 to 84, followed by people ages 85 and older. As life expectancy increases, more people are spending longer years in the Medicare system.

Which states have the most Medicare beneficiaries

Medicare enrollment is highest in states with large populations and older populations. California has the most Medicare beneficiaries overall, followed by Florida, Texas, New York, and Pennsylvania. However, the percentage of a state's population on Medicare varies — Florida, for example, has a higher share of its total population on Medicare than California does, because Florida has a higher concentration of older residents.

Smaller states like Maine, Vermont, and West Virginia also have high percentages of their populations on Medicare, even though the total number of beneficiaries is lower than in large states.

Why Medicare enrollment keeps growing

The primary reason for growth in Medicare enrollment is demographic: the Baby Boomer generation (people born between 1946 and 1964) is aging into the program. Every day, thousands of people turn 65 and become may be able to access for Medicare. This trend is expected to continue for the next decade.

A secondary reason is that people are living longer. Someone who reaches age 65 today can expect to live into their mid-80s on average, meaning they will spend more years as a Medicare beneficiary than previous generations did.

Medicare enrollment by type of plan

Not all 67 million Medicare enrollees are in the same type of coverage. Some are in Original Medicare (Part A and Part B), while others have chosen Medicare Advantage plans (Part C), which are offered by private insurance companies. Many people also have prescription drug coverage through Part D.

The split between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage has shifted over time. In recent years, more people have chosen Medicare Advantage plans, though Original Medicare still covers the majority of beneficiaries. The exact breakdown changes annually as people make different choices during the open enrollment period.

What these numbers mean for Medicare's future

The growth in Medicare enrollment has real consequences for the program's finances and for the healthcare system overall. More beneficiaries means higher overall spending, though per-person costs vary depending on age, health status, and the type of coverage someone has.

Policymakers and healthcare experts monitor these enrollment trends closely because they affect decisions about funding, benefits, and program structure. Understanding how many people are on Medicare and how that number is changing helps explain why Medicare is a frequent topic in political and policy discussions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the number of people on Medicare still growing?

Yes. Medicare enrollment grows each year as more people reach age 65 and as people with disabilities or specific medical conditions become may be able to access. The growth rate is expected to remain steady through the 2030s as the Baby Boomer generation continues to age into the program.

Does the 67 million number include people in all types of Medicare?

Yes. The total includes people in Original Medicare, Medicare Advantage, and those with Part D prescription drug coverage. Some people are counted in multiple categories if they have more than one type of coverage, so the total is not a straightforward sum of each plan type.

Why do some states have more Medicare beneficiaries than others?

States with larger total populations naturally have more Medicare beneficiaries. States with older populations — like Florida and Maine — also have higher percentages of their residents on Medicare, even if the total number is smaller than in larger states.

Are younger people on Medicare included in this count?

Yes. The 67 million figure includes people under 65 who are on Medicare because of a disability or because they have end-stage renal disease or ALS. However, this group makes up only about 10 percent of total enrollment.