Medicare in 

Harrison

County, 

Ohio

Provider Density: 
Medium
Rural
Last updated: 
May 21, 2026
Calm river, running through coverage of medicare, with small sandy islands in the foreground and forested mountains under a partly cloudy sky in the background.

Beneficiaries

2838

# of Cities

1

# of Plans

170

Key Points

  • Harrison County has approximately 14,159 residents
  • About 20.05% of the population is on Medicare benefits
  • Median age is 46.7 years, higher than state average
  • Median household income around $47,125, below state average
  • Eligible seniors can access Low Income Subsidy/Extra Help and counseling support

Demographic Information

Healthcare Information

Harrison County's healthcare infrastructure centers around Belmont Community Hospital located in Cadiz. This critical access hospital provides essential emergency services inpatient care and basic outpatient diagnostics. It operates under a partnership with Wheeling Hospital based in West Virginia which helps stabilize services but does not eliminate limitations. The hospital has 25 beds and offers general surgery obstetrics and primary care clinics. However specialized services are scarce. There are no cardiologists oncologists or neurologists practicing within the county limits. Beneficiaries needing such care must travel at least 30 miles to Steubenville Ohio or Wheeling West Virginia. Primary care physicians are also limited with only three family medicine practices serving the entire Medicare population. Belmont Community Hospital participates in most major Medicare Advantage networks including those from UnitedHealthcare Humana and Aetna. Yet the narrow scope of local providers means even in network options feel restricted. For instance an Advantage plan listing Belmont Community Hospital might cover emergency care there but require referrals and prior authorizations for any specialist visit outside the county adding administrative hurdles. Original Medicare paired with a Medigap plan often proves more practical here despite higher premiums because it allows direct access to specialists in neighboring counties without network restrictions or referral requirements. The hospital's quality metrics generally meet state averages for a rural facility but patient satisfaction scores highlight transportation difficulties as a recurring barrier to follow up care. Wheeling Hospital approximately 25 miles away serves as the de facto regional referral center for Harrison County seniors. Its broader specialist roster and tertiary services make it a lifeline though traffic on Route 250 can delay urgent transfers. Steubenville City Hospital another 15 miles beyond Wheeling offers additional options but the cumulative distance discourages routine visits. Practical plan selection for Harrison County beneficiaries hinges on understanding these travel realities. A Medicare Advantage plan with seemingly good local network coverage may become unusable when the nearest covered cardiologist is 50 miles away with no public transit. Advisors must prioritize plans offering robust out of network emergency coverage and telehealth options which are increasingly vital given the provider shortages.

Elderly man in hospice care, paid for by medicare coverage, and young boy sitting outdoors on grass with clear blue sky, sharing a peaceful moment.

Medicare Resources

Harrison

 County 

Medicare Advantage Plans 

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Medicare Questions 

for 

Harrison

 County 

Residents

Ohio

 has 

170

Medicare Advantage plans 

Independent agent. Not affiliated with any carrier. Availability varies by county.
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Adjacent to  

Harrison

 County 

Harrison County is one of Ohio's smallest and most rural counties, tucked into the eastern hill country near the Pennsylvania and West Virginia borders. All of its neighbors are Ohio counties, but the geography means access to major healthcare is a genuine consideration for Medicare beneficiaries here. To the north lies Carroll County, home to Carrollton and Aultman Carroll Community Hospital, part of the Aultman Health Foundation. This is often the closest local hospital option for many Harrison County residents living in the northern townships. Carroll County also sits within reach of Canton's Aultman Hospital, a major regional medical center in Stark County. Jefferson County borders Harrison to the east. Steubenville is Jefferson County's seat, and Trinity Health System (now part of a larger Catholic health network) has operated hospitals there for generations. Steubenville's position along the Ohio River, just across from Weirton, West Virginia, means Harrison County residents living on the eastern edge of the county have options both in Steubenville and, in some cases, in the West Virginia panhandle. Belmont County sits to the south, home to St. Clairsville and the Wheeling, West Virginia metro area just over the state line. Wheeling Hospital (now part of WVU Medicine) and Ohio Valley Medical Center serve many eastern Ohio residents who live closer to the West Virginia border than to Canton or Columbus. Guernsey County borders Harrison to the southwest, with Cambridge as its center, and Southeastern Med in Cambridge serves as the community hospital for Guernsey and surrounding counties. Tuscarawas County lies to the west, home to New Philadelphia and Union Hospital, which is part of the Mercy Health system. For Harrison County residents who make the westward drive, Tuscarawas County offers solid community hospital services. The county seat of Cadiz sits centrally, and Harrison Community Hospital provides local emergency and primary care.

Noteworthy People

Despite its small size, Harrison County, Ohio, has a remarkable tradition of producing significant Americans, perhaps most famously in politics and the arts. **Clark Gable (1901–1960)** was born in Cadiz, Harrison County. Known as "The King of Hollywood," Gable starred in Gone with the Wind, It Happened One Night (for which he won the Academy Award for Best Actor), and dozens of other classic films. He remains Harrison County's most famous native son. **General George Armstrong Custer (1839–1876)** was born in New Rumley in Harrison County. The flamboyant Civil War general became one of the most controversial figures in American military history, known for his Last Stand at Little Bighorn. **John A. Bingham (1815–1900)** was born in Mercer, Pennsylvania, but made his career and home in Cadiz. He served in Congress and was the primary author of the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, one of the most important legal texts in American history. **Edwin Stanton (1814–1869)** was born in Steubenville but had deep Harrison County ties. He served as President Lincoln's Secretary of War and was a pivotal figure in managing the Union war effort. **James Gordon Bennett Sr. (1795–1872)**, founder of the New York Herald and one of the most influential journalists of the 19th century, had Ohio roots that touched Harrison County communities. **Henry B. Payne (1810–1896)**, a United States senator from Ohio, had business and political connections throughout Harrison County's Democratic political networks of the late 19th century. **Doris Kearns Goodwin (born 1943)** is not from Harrison County, but the county's history with presidential families — including connections to William Henry Harrison — has made it a touchstone in Ohio presidential history discussions. **Noble Clark** was a Harrison County farmer and civic leader who helped establish several of the county's earliest educational institutions in the 1830s and 1840s. **Lieutenant Colonel William Crawford (1732–1782)**, the Revolutionary War officer and land surveyor, is commemorated throughout Harrison County, where his expeditions shaped early settlement patterns. **Harry A. Custer**, a descendant of the Custer family of Harrison County, carried on the family's legacy in Ohio public life in the early 20th century.

Key Takeaways

In Harrison County, about 20.05% of 14,159 residents qualify for Medicare. With median household income around $47,125, many seniors qualify for assistance programs.

Check if you qualify for Low Income Subsidy/Extra Help to reduce your costs and get free counseling. Compare Original Medicare with Medigap against Medicare Advantage to find what works best for you.

Decision area Tool What it answers
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Enrollment Part B Penalty Calculator The exact 10%-per-year premium increase for delayed Part B enrollment
Enrollment Part D Penalty Calculator The 1%-per-month premium increase for gaps in creditable drug coverage
Costs Cost Scenario Planner Estimated annual spending across plan types at different health utilization levels
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Costs Part A Premium Estimator Your monthly Part A premium based on work history and quarters of coverage
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Planning Document Gatherer Which documents you need to have ready before enrolling or changing plans
Planning Medigap Fit Assessment Whether Medigap or Medicare Advantage is the better fit for how you use healthcare
Planning Medigap Open Enrollment Window Whether you're inside your one-time guaranteed issue window for Medigap
Planning Medicare Savings Program Eligibility Whether your income qualifies you for help paying Medicare premiums and cost-sharing