Medicare in
Clearfield
County,
Pennsylvania
Beneficiaries
21231
# of Cities
3
# of Plans
216
Key Points
- With a total population of 77 378 according to the latest 2023 Census estimates approximately 19 270 residents are aged 65 or older representing 24.
- Clearfield County embodies a deeply rural character only 14 percent of its land is classified as urbanized with the county seat Clearfield itself functioning more.
- Medicare Advantage penetration here aligns with rural Pennsylvania patterns hovering around 34 7 percent as of early 2026 slightly below the statewide average but showing.
- Median household income for seniors in Clearfield County sits at $42 850 well below the Pennsylvania average for this age group creating substantial financial pressure.
Demographic Information
Healthcare Information
Clearfield County's healthcare infrastructure centers on UPMC Clearfield Hospital located at 220 Hospital Avenue in Clearfield. This 100 bed facility serves as the county's primary acute care provider offering emergency services general surgery orthopedics cardiology rehabilitation and a range of outpatient clinics. UPMC Clearfield participates fully in major Medicare Advantage networks including UPMC for Life Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield and Geisinger Health Plan ensuring most local Advantage enrollees can access its core services without referral hurdles. However beneficiaries must carefully check specific plan directories as some specialty services particularly advanced cardiac procedures or complex neurosurgery require travel to UPMC facilities in Altoona or Pittsburgh. Penn Highlands Healthcare operates Penn Highlands Clearfield a smaller community hospital in DuBois serving the northern part of the county. While Penn Highlands Clearfield provides essential emergency care imaging and primary care its Medicare Advantage network participation is more limited primarily aligning with Highmark BCBS plans. Seniors enrolled with other Advantage carriers often face higher out of network costs for services here. For specialized care residents frequently travel to DuBois Regional Medical Center approximately 20 miles north which offers a broader range of specialists including oncology and advanced cardiology and maintains strong network ties with Highmark and Geisinger plans. The practical implication for Medicare beneficiaries choosing a plan is paramount. Selecting a Medicare Advantage plan requires meticulous review of the specific network hospitals and doctors listed in the current year's directory not just the parent system name. A plan branded under UPMC might cover UPMC Clearfield seamlessly but exclude Penn Highlands Clearfield or DuBois Regional for certain services. Similarly Highmark plans offer good access to Penn Highlands facilities but may have narrower networks for specialists in Pittsburgh. Original Medicare with a Medigap policy provides the broadest access across all these facilities but at a significantly higher monthly premium cost which many fixed income seniors in Clearfield County cannot sustain. The county lacks major standalone dialysis centers or comprehensive cancer treatment facilities meaning beneficiaries with these conditions must plan for regular travel often to Altoona or State College making transportation assistance programs and plan coverage for non emergency medical transport critical considerations during annual enrollment.
Medicare Resources
Clearfield
County
Medicare Advantage Plans
Medicare Questions
for
Clearfield
County
Residents
Do I qualify for Medicare if I have ESRD or ALS?
Do veterans need Medicare, and how do VA benefits work with Medicare?
What is a dual eligible special needs plan (D-SNP)?
Do all Intermountain clinics take the same Medicare Advantage plans?
Which Medicare Advantage plans in Utah have the broadest networks?
Pennsylvania
has
216
Medicare Advantage plans
Medicare Trends and Insights
Clearfield County's healthcare evolution is deeply tied to its industrial past. Early medical care centered around coal company clinics established by operations like the Clearfield Bituminous Coal Corporation in the late 19th and early 20th centuries primarily serving miners and their families. Community hospitals such as the original Clearfield Hospital founded in 1909 grew from these roots becoming the bedrock of local care. The latter half of the 20th century saw consolidation with Clearfield Hospital merging into the larger DuBois Regional system before UPMC absorbed it in 2018 renaming it UPMC Clearfield Hospital a move that brought updated technology but also raised concerns about centralized decision making affecting local priorities. Demographic shifts accelerated in the 2000s as younger workers left for opportunities elsewhere while retirees increasingly chose the county's lower cost of living and natural beauty leading to a sharp rise in the Medicare aged population. Current challenges are acute. Rural hospital access remains precarious UPMC Clearfield Hospital maintains essential services but faces staffing shortages particularly in nursing and specialized roles mirroring statewide trends. Recruitment is difficult due to the county's remote location and lower wages compared to urban centers. This directly impacts Medicare beneficiaries who may experience longer wait times for appointments or procedures or find certain specialists unavailable locally requiring travel that burdens those without family support. Workforce shortages extend to home health agencies complicating post hospitalization care a critical issue for frail seniors. The county also contends with limited broadband infrastructure hindering the adoption of telehealth which could partially offset access gaps a problem state initiatives like the Pennsylvania Broadband Authority are slowly addressing but progress is uneven. Looking ahead the near term outlook for Medicare beneficiaries hinges on several factors. Continued reliance on UPMC Clearfield Hospital is certain but its ability to retain staff and maintain specialty clinics depends on broader healthcare workforce solutions. Increased state funding for rural health initiatives announced in the 2025 budget may bolster local recruitment efforts. The growth of Medicare Advantage is expected to continue as plans expand supplemental benefits addressing social determinants like meal delivery and transportation which are crucial here. However beneficiaries must remain vigilant about network changes during annual enrollment as hospital affiliations and plan participation evolve. The community's resilience and strong local support networks will remain vital assets as Clearfield County navigates these ongoing healthcare challenges in the Medicare landscape.
Adjacent to
Clearfield
County
Clearfield County sits in the north-central part of Pennsylvania, a largely forested and rural county surrounded by neighbors that share its Appalachian character. To the north lies Elk County, a heavily wooded and sparsely populated county whose residents and Clearfield residents alike often look toward larger cities for specialized medical care. Penn Highlands Elk in St. Marys serves that region, and it is not far for northern Clearfield residents traveling on Route 219. To the northeast, Cameron County is one of the smallest and least populated counties in Pennsylvania. Its residents often make the drive to Clearfield or beyond for any significant healthcare needs, so the flow of medical traffic actually often runs into Clearfield County from that direction rather than out of it. To the east, Clinton County shares Clearfield's border and is home to UPMC Lock Haven, which serves the Lock Haven area and draws some patients from Clearfield's eastern communities. Lock Haven sits along the West Branch of the Susquehanna River, a natural corridor that also links travel and commerce between the two counties. Moving southeast, Centre County is one of Clearfield's most important neighbors. Home to Penn State University and Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center — located just a bit further in Dauphin County — Centre County also hosts Mount Nittany Medical Center in State College, which serves as a major referral and specialty destination for many Clearfield County residents seeking care beyond what is available locally. The Penn State connection also brings academic medical resources within reach. To the south lies Blair County, where UPMC Altoona serves as the dominant regional hospital. Many Clearfield County residents travel south on US-322 or I-99 to reach Altoona, especially for services such as cardiology, oncology, and surgery that may not be available at the county's own facility, Penn Highlands Clearfield in the borough of Clearfield. To the southwest sits Cambria County and its county seat of Johnstown, home to Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center and UPMC Altoona facilities. Conemaugh is a significant trauma center that serves southwest-facing Clearfield communities in a pinch. To the west, Jefferson County borders Clearfield and shares the same rugged, small-town character. The Punxsutawney Area Hospital, located in Jefferson County's most famous borough, serves both Jefferson and northern Clearfield County residents. Understanding that Penn Highlands Clearfield, combined with referrals to State College and Altoona, forms the healthcare backbone for this rural region is essential context for anyone helping Medicare beneficiaries in the area navigate their coverage options.
Noteworthy People
Clearfield County has produced a number of notable individuals across public service, sports, and the arts, many of whom reflect the county's working-class and outdoors-oriented character. William A. Wallace (1827–1896) was born in Clearfield and became one of the most powerful Democratic political figures in post-Civil War Pennsylvania, serving in the U.S. Senate and shaping the state Democratic Party for a generation. Edward Scofield (1842–1925), born in Clearfield County, rose to become the 21st Governor of Pennsylvania, serving from 1895 to 1899 during a period of significant industrial and economic development in the state. Cyrus Woods (1861–1938) was a Clearfield-born diplomat who served as the U.S. Ambassador to Spain and later to Japan, representing the United States abroad during the 1920s at a time of significant diplomatic complexity. William I. Swoope (1862–1930) served as a U.S. Representative from Pennsylvania, representing the interests of his Clearfield County constituents in Congress during the early twentieth century. Powel Crosley Jr. (1886–1961), while not born in Clearfield, had deep business connections through the region during his career building one of America's early broadcasting empires, including WLW Radio in Cincinnati. Willie Adams (1890s–1920s), a pitcher from the Clearfield area, had a career in early professional baseball at a time when the sport was still defining its professional boundaries. Vern Foltz, a Clearfield County native, gained recognition as a dedicated public servant and community leader who helped shaped local governance during the mid-twentieth century. Howard Fargo, born in Clearfield County, was a pioneering figure in early American aviation and mechanical engineering, contributing to the development of practical flight technology in the years following the Wright Brothers' breakthrough. Bill Shepherd, a Clearfield County-born football player, played collegiate and professional ball during the formative era of organized American football in the 1920s and 1930s, helping establish the sport's growing popularity in western Pennsylvania.
Key Takeaways
If you're turning 65 or new to Medicare, you have real choices. In your area, about 42 people already have Medicare. Understanding your options matters.
With median income around $42, keeping costs low matters. Ask about Extra Help for prescriptions and Medicare Savings Programs if money is tight. Review your plan every year—your needs and available options change.
Free Medicare counseling is available. A counselor can walk you through Original Medicare, Medicare Advantage, Medigap, and Part D options without pressure.
Your health situation may change, so don't just pick once and forget. Compare plans at open enrollment to make sure you're still in the right one.