Medicare in Iowa
Key Takeaways
- Original MedicareOriginal Medicare is a fee-for-service health insurance program available to Americans aged 65 and older and some individuals with disabilities. Original Medicare is provided by the federal government and is made up of two parts: Part A (hospital insurance) and Part B (medical insurance). in Iowa features hospital and medical coverage with the option of adding drug and supplemental coverage.
- Medicare costs can vary and can be impacted by whether you enroll when first eligible at age 65.
- Costs also vary with Medicare AdvantageMedicare Advantage (Medicare Part C) is health insurance for Americans aged 65 and older that blends Medicare benefits with private health insurance. This typically includes a bundle of Original Medicare (Parts A and B) and Medicare Prescription Drug Plan (Part D). plans, which bundles coverages from Original Medicare while offering additional options like dental and vision care.
“If you build it, they will come.”
The movie Field of Dreams shone a spotlight on the state of Iowa and created a new tourist attraction — a baseball field carved into a cornfield.
Corn is king in Iowa, grown annually by farmers who know all the tricks of the trade.
And when it comes to Medicare in Iowa, you can count on GoHealth to deliver invaluable kernels of knowledge.
How Do I Apply for Medicare in Iowa?
Your options for applying for Medicare in IA include:
- Enrolling online with the Social Security Administration.
- Visiting a local Social Security office.
- Enrolling over the phone at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY: 1-800-325-0778).
Private insurance companies manage Part D and Medigap plans with guidance from the federal government. That’s also the case with Medicare Advantage plans in Iowa.
Suppose you are enrolled in both Parts A and B. In that case, you have the option of switching to a Medicare Advantage plan that includes the benefits of Parts A and B, bundles drug and supplemental coverage, and offers additional coverages like dental and vision.
My Medicare coverage doesn’t address all of my needs.
Is Medicare Free at 65?
Suppose you’re looking for affordable healthcare insurance. In that case, Part A provides hospital coverage without a monthly premium, though because of the plan’s deductibles, copays and coinsurance, it can’t be considered as “free.”
If you need low-cost insurance because of your financial situation, some people on Medicare in Iowa will qualify for a Medicare Savings Program. Some facing more severe needs may be eligible for Medicaid (more to come on that).
What Is the Cost of Medicare When You Turn 65?
When you first become eligible for Medicare in IA at age 65, you have the opportunity— if the circumstances are right for you — to save money by signing up for Part B, Part D, and Medigap. Otherwise, you can be assessed late-enrollment penalties for Part B and Part D that last a lifetime and can run into costly roadblocks if you wait to enroll in Medigap.
- Part B: If you don’t have qualifying medical insurance when you turn 65 and don’t add Part B, you may face a 10% penalty on your eventual monthly premium for every 12 months that you wait to enroll. Passing on Part B at 65 because you’re still using an insurance option at work usually creates a Special Enrollment Period that allows you to add Part B later without a penalty.
- Part D: If you don’t have “creditable” drug coverage at age 65 and don’t enroll in a Part D prescription plan, you will face a 1% penalty for every month you wait to enroll.
- Medigap: Adding Medigap also can be expensive — not to mention potentially trickier. Generally speaking, it’s best to get your Medigap plan within the first six months after you enroll in Original Medicare. During this period, you won’t be asked medical questions that could impact your ability to secure a specific plan at a reasonable price.
Looking for dental, vision and hearing coverage?
Who Qualifies for Medicaid in Iowa?
Each state has its plan for administering Medicaid, a federal/state program founded alongside Medicare in 1965 that helps those facing a financial need and/or disability regardless of age.
The state of Iowa’s approach to Medicaid starts with qualifying financial situations and disabilities but goes much deeper. Overseen by the Iowa Department of Human Services, the Medicaid umbrella offers help to Medicare beneficiaries in need with the administration of Medicare Savings Programs. That only scratches the surface on Iowa’s offerings.
Who Offers the Best Medicare Plan?
Comparing Medicare plans in Iowa can be complex, but GoHealth licensed insurance agents are trained to review your situation and figure out what plan is the right fit for your specific situation.
In the case of Original Medicare in IA, there’s only Parts A and B, with the option to add Part D and Medigap coverage from private insurance companies.
In the case of Medicare Advantage in Iowa, there are many plans.
- Some Medicare Advantage plans include options for dental, vision, and hearing coverage.
- Some Medicare Advantage plans offer assistance with transportation costs or over-the-counter needs.
- Some offer all of the above.
- Some Medicare Advantage plans mirror Original Medicare but are more affordable.
What Are the Pros and Cons of Medicare Advantage?
According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the average monthly premium in 2024 for a Medicare Advantage plan in Iowa was $11.71.
Every Medicare Advantage plan must offer, at the least, the same level of coverage as Original Medicare Parts A and B. In 2025, most people do not pay a monthly premium for Part A, but most pay the standard monthly premium of $185 for Part B.
Medicare Advantage plans and Original Medicare have different coverage areas. While you can use Original Medicare nationwide, Medicare Advantage plans are usually limited to a network of providers in your area. The limited network allows Medicare Advantage plans in Iowa to often offer more affordable options.
Some people place more value on seeing virtually any doctor over the financial benefits of using a regional network of Medicare Advantage providers. However, many people find that they can still see their preferred doctors with Medicare Advantage. A GoHealth licensed agent can check for you while making sure you’re checking out other aspects of coverage that could impact your decision.
Find the Medicare Plan that works for you.
Thousands of older adults enroll in Medicare every day across the United States. The latest CMS data shows that 613,969 people are enrolled in Medicare Part A and B in Iowa. The total number of beneficiaries enrolled in Medicare Advantage increased from 149,954 to 168,549 year over year. Medicare Advantage participation in Iowa went from 24.97% to 27.45% year over year. If you’d like to dive deeper into how Medicare in Iowa breaks down across the state, we provide a glance at who is using Medicare and how.
613,969 Beneficiaries with Part A & Part B
168,549 Medicare Advantage Beneficiaries
27.45% Medicare Advantage Participation Rate
54.93% Female
45.07% Male
94.53% Non-Hispanic White
1.27% African American
1.20% Hispanic
3.00% Other/Unknown
13.29% Eligible for Medicaid
0.91 Average HCC Score
$9,077.36 Actual Per Capita Costs
15.24% Hospital Readmission Rate
26.54% % of Beneficiaries with an Emergency Department Visit
149,954 Medicare Advantage Beneficiaries, Previous Year
Increased Medicare Advantage, Year over year
24.97% Medicare Advantage Participation Rate, Previous Year
Table reflects the latest Beneficiary Demographics Data: Medicare Geographic Variation – by National, State & County
Average HCC Score: The Hierarchical Condition Category score gauges a population’s overall health. The score is based on a value of 1.0. Populations with an HCC score of less than 1.0 are considered relatively healthy. The score can be used to estimate health costs.
Iowa SHIIP AND SMP - Medicare counseling
https://shiip.iowa.gov/
What should I know about Iowa SHIIP and SMP?
The State Health Insurance Information Program and the Senior Medicare Patrol offer free Medicare guidance and monitoring.
Iowa Department on Aging
https://hhs.iowa.gov/programs/programs-and-services/aging-services
What should I know about the Iowa Department on Aging?
Connects Iowa residents with the state’s six Area Agencies on Agents for help with long-term care, nutrition and plenty in between.
Iowa Department of Human Services
https://hhs.iowa.gov/programs/welcome-iowa-medicaid
What should I know about the Iowa Department of Human Services?
Administers all of aspects of Iowa’s Medicaid program; phone number is for those new to Medicaid.
Iowa Insurance Division
https://iid.iowa.gov/consumers/insurance/health-insurance
What should I know about the Iowa Insurance Division?
Provides helpful resources and tools for every form of health insurance offered in the state.
Nationwide Resources
Speak with a GoHealth insurance agent that is licensed in Iowa about your Medicare questions.
Mon – Fri, 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. CT
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
You can reach the Social Security Administration by phone for general questions. Not all questions can be answered over the phone.
Also, SSA.gov provides online resources for the following: Review information, apply for benefits, or manage your account online
1-800-722-1213
TTY 1-800-325-0778
Speak to SSA Representative, Monday – Friday, 8 AM – 7 PM ET
Medicare Learning Guides
Healthcare is personal. So is choosing insurance. If you are new to Medicare, a beneficiary researching options, or a caregiver, we have tailored Medicare Guides for you.
Before 65 Guide
Understanding health insurance before age 65, especially when considering early retirement
Medicare Plans Guide
Costs, coverage and enrollment details for each Medicare plan
Medicare Beneficiary Guide
For those currently enrolled in Medicare
Low Income and Medicare Guide
For individuals with a qualifying income status
A Caregiver's Guide
For individuals with a qualifying income status
Sources
- Apply for Benefits. SSA.gov.
- Social Security Office Locator. SSA.gov.
- Part D late enrollment penalty. Medicare.gov.
- Medicaid Programs. Iowa.gov.
- FACT SHEET. CMS.gov.
This website is operated by GoHealth, LLC., a licensed health insurance company. The website and its contents are for informational and educational purposes; helping people understand Medicare in a simple way. The purpose of this website is the solicitation of insurance. Contact will be made by a licensed insurance agent/producer or insurance company. Medicare Supplement insurance plans are not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program. Our mission is to help every American get better health insurance and save money.
Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.