Best Medicare Advantage Plans in Iowa
Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This influences which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money.
More than 650,000 people in Iowa are signed up for Medicare.
Medicare is the government health care program for people 65 and older. Medicare Advantage is a bundled alternative to Medicare that offers all the same benefits and usually some extras, such as cost savings on dental and vision coverage.
Medicare Advantage plans offer more benefits than Original Medicare, and they can be cheaper than paying for Medicare and a Medicare Supplement plan. However, they offer less flexibility because you’ll need to get care from within the plan’s network of providers. Weigh your options to determine what plan best suits your needs.
What to know about Medicare in Iowa
More than 1 in 6 people in Iowa are 65 and older, and there are a wide variety of Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans in the state.
The average monthly premium in 2023 for a Medicare Advantage plan in Iowa is $9.13. (It was $9.37 in 2022.)
There are 70 Medicare Advantage plans available in Iowa in 2023. (This is up from 61 plans in 2022.)
Almost all (96.7%) of the Medicare-eligible people in Iowa have access to a $0-premium Medicare Advantage plan.
Medicare Advantage providers in Iowa
Amerigroup Iowa.
Health Alliance Medicare.
HealthPartners UnityPoint Health.
Iowa Health Advantage.
Medica.
Medical Associates Health Plans.
MediGold.
Quartz Medicare Advantage.
Sanford Health Plan.
Wellmark Advantage Health Plan.
Top-rated Medicare Advantage plans in Iowa
Each year, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, or CMS, awards every Medicare Advantage plan a star rating on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being a top-rated plan. Below are providers with at least one plan that received top marks in Iowa for the 2023 plan year. (Check out more information about Medicare star ratings.)
5-star plans
The providers below offer plans in Iowa that are rated 5 stars out of 5 by the CMS:
Quartz Medicare Advantage.
UnitedHealthcare.
4.5-star plans
The providers below offer plans in Iowa that are rated 4.5 stars out of 5 by the CMS:
HealthPartners UnityPoint Health.
Humana.
Medica.
MediGold.
UnitedHealthcare.
Medicare resources in Iowa
Iowa Insurance Division: For questions about insurance you’ve bought or insurance provided by an employer.
Iowa Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP): For free guidance or answers about Medicare coverage or eligibility.
Iowa Medicaid Program: For questions about Medicaid eligibility or benefits.
How to choose a Medicare Advantage plan
It’s crucial to ask a few questions as you’re shopping for the right plan. Here’s a quick checklist to help you consider your options:
How much are the plan’s costs? Do you understand what the plan’s premium, deductibles, copays and/or coinsurance will be? Can you afford them?
Is your doctor in-network? If you have a preferred doctor (or doctors) or hospital, make sure they participate in the plan’s network.
Are your prescriptions covered? If you’re on medication, understand how the plan covers it. What tier are your prescription drugs on, and are there any coverage rules that apply to them?
Is there dental coverage? Does the plan offer routine coverage for vision, dental and hearing needs?
Are there extras? Does the plan offer any additional perks, such as fitness memberships, transportation benefits or meal delivery?
You can use Medicare’s plan finding tool to compare plans in your area.
Medicare Advantage companies
Get more information below about some of the major Medicare Advantage companies. These insurance companies offer plans in most states. The plans you can choose from will depend on your ZIP code and county.
