Medicare in Iowa: compare your plan options with a licensed agent
Whether you live in Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Davenport or a small town in between, a licensed agent can explain the Medicare plans we offer in your Iowa ZIP code in plain English. There's no cost for our help.
When you call, you'll speak with a licensed insurance sales agent. Amerance Health is not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program.
Your guide to Medicare in Iowa
Medicare is a federal program, so Parts A and B work the same way in Iowa as in every other state. What changes from state to state is which private plans you can choose from, the state rules that apply to Medicare Supplement insurance, and the local programs that can help you pay for coverage. This page covers what's specific to Iowa.
Your Medicare options in Iowa
People with Medicare in Iowa choose between two main paths:
Original Medicare, with a Medicare Supplement and Part D
Original Medicare (Part A for hospital care and Part B for medical care) lets you see any doctor or hospital in the U.S. that accepts Medicare. That's useful if you see specialists across Iowa or spend part of the year out of state. Because Original Medicare has no yearly out-of-pocket limit, many people add a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) policy to cover deductibles and coinsurance, plus a stand-alone Part D plan for prescriptions.
Medicare Advantage (Part C)
Medicare Advantage plans are offered by private insurance companies approved by Medicare. They bundle hospital, medical and usually drug coverage into one plan, often with dental, vision and hearing benefits and a yearly out-of-pocket maximum. Plans are approved county by county, so what's available in Des Moines may differ from what's available in Cedar Rapids or rural Iowa. Most use provider networks (HMO or PPO), so it's important to confirm your doctors and hospitals before you enroll.
Not sure which path fits you? Read our Medicare Advantage vs. Medicare Supplement comparison.
Iowa Medicare Supplement (Medigap) rules
Iowa follows the federal Medigap rules.
- No birthday rule: outside open enrollment and guaranteed issue situations, insurers can ask health questions when you switch Medigap plans.
- Under 65: Iowa doesn't have a Medigap open enrollment period for people under 65. A small number of insurers sell to them, and some of those plans are guaranteed issue but can be expensive. Everyone gets a full Medigap open enrollment period at 65.
Everywhere in the U.S., your strongest protection is your Medigap Open Enrollment Period: the 6 months starting when you're 65 or older and enrolled in Part B. During that window, insurers in Iowa must sell you any Medigap plan they offer, at the same price as someone in good health. Plan G and Plan N are common choices for people new to Medicare. Compare what each Medigap plan covers.
Talk with a licensed agent in Iowa
We'll compare the plans we offer in your ZIP code against your doctors, prescriptions and budget.
Call (954) 668-4095 Request a callbackTurning 65 in Iowa
Your Initial Enrollment Period is the 7 months around your 65th birthday: the 3 months before your birthday month, the month itself and the 3 months after. Sign up in the 3 months before your birthday month so your coverage starts on the first day of the month you turn 65. If you already receive Social Security, you'll be enrolled in Parts A and B automatically. Otherwise, apply through Social Security online, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or at a local Social Security office in Iowa.
If you're still working, you may be able to delay Part B without a penalty. Our Turning 65 Medicare guide walks through every deadline, or you can take our 2-minute quiz to get a personal game plan.
Help paying for Medicare in Iowa
- Medicaid (Iowa Medicaid): Iowa residents with limited income and resources may qualify for Medicaid in addition to Medicare. Learn more from Iowa Medicaid.
- Medicare Savings Programs: run through Iowa's Medicaid agency, these can pay your Part B premium ($202.90 a month in 2026), and in some cases your deductibles and coinsurance.
- Extra Help: a federal program that lowers Part D premiums, deductibles and copays. Apply through Social Security.
- Dual Special Needs Plans (D-SNPs): Medicare Advantage plans for people with both Medicare and Medicaid, which coordinate both sets of benefits.
Free, unbiased Medicare counseling in Iowa
Iowa SHIIP (Senior Health Insurance Information Program) is Iowa's State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP). Trained counselors give free, unbiased help with Medicare questions and don't sell insurance. Call 1-800-351-4664 or visit their website.
Insurance in Iowa is regulated by the Iowa Insurance Division, which licenses agents and handles consumer complaints.
We do not offer every plan available in your area. For information on all of your options, contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) or Iowa SHIIP (Senior Health Insurance Information Program).
2026 Medicare costs in Iowa
Original Medicare costs are set nationally by CMS and are the same in Iowa as everywhere else. Medicare Advantage, Medigap and Part D premiums vary by plan and location.
| Cost | 2026 amount |
|---|---|
| Part B standard monthly premium | $202.90 |
| Part B yearly deductible | $283 |
| Part A hospital deductible | $1,736 per benefit period |
| Part A premium | $0 for most people with 40 quarters of work |
| Part D out-of-pocket cap | $2,100 |
| Medicare Advantage in-network out-of-pocket limit | Up to $9,250 (many plans are lower) |
Key Medicare dates for Iowa residents
- Annual Enrollment Period: October 15 – December 7, 2026, for coverage starting January 1, 2027.
- Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment: January 1 – March 31, 2027, if you're already in a Medicare Advantage plan.
- General Enrollment Period: January 1 – March 31 each year, if you missed signing up for Part A or Part B.
- Moving within or out of Iowa: if you move out of your plan's service area, you get a Special Enrollment Period to choose a new plan.
Iowa Medicare FAQs
Does Iowa have a Medigap birthday rule?
No. Iowa doesn't have a Medigap birthday rule. Outside your Medigap open enrollment period or a federal guaranteed issue situation, insurers can ask health questions when you apply to switch plans.
Can I get a Medicare Supplement plan under 65 in Iowa?
Sometimes. Iowa doesn't give people under 65 a Medigap open enrollment period, but a small number of insurers sell to them, and a few plans are guaranteed issue, though they can be expensive. Iowa SHIIP can help you compare, and you'll get a full open enrollment period at 65.
Where can I get free Medicare counseling in Iowa?
Iowa SHIIP (Senior Health Insurance Information Program) is Iowa's State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP). It offers free, unbiased Medicare counseling at 1-800-351-4664. You can also call 1-800-MEDICARE or visit Medicare.gov for information on all plans.
Can I get help paying for Medicare in Iowa?
Yes, if your income and savings are limited. Iowa's Medicaid program (Iowa Medicaid) runs the Medicare Savings Programs, which can pay your Part B premium, and Social Security runs Extra Help, which lowers prescription drug costs. People with both Medicare and Medicaid may also qualify for a Dual Special Needs Plan.
Are Medicare Advantage plans the same everywhere in Iowa?
No. Medicare Advantage plans are approved county by county, so the plans, premiums, networks and extra benefits available in Des Moines can differ from those in other parts of Iowa. A licensed agent can show you the plans we offer for your ZIP code.
When can I sign up for Medicare in Iowa?
Enrollment dates are the same in every state. Most people first sign up during their 7-month Initial Enrollment Period around their 65th birthday. If you already have Medicare, you can change Medicare Advantage and Part D plans during the Annual Enrollment Period, October 15 to December 7, with coverage starting January 1.
Medicare help in nearby states
We also help people with Medicare in Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska and Wisconsin. See all the states we serve.