Updated: May 22, 2024
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Best Health InsuranceIowaBest Health Insurance in Iowa
Why Trust MoneyGeek? We downloaded plan data for Iowa directly from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). MoneyGeek’s scoring methodology balances costs, claims approval and plan types to find the best providers in the state.
Plan data was updated with the CMS exchange data released in October 2023 for the 2024 enrollment period.
With a MoneyGeek rating of 90 out of 100, Oscar offers the best health insurance in Iowa. Oscar provides plans with low monthly costs and low MOOP costs. Oscar also has a low chance of denying claims.
For our study, we looked at a total of 30 health insurance plans in Iowa, comprising both EPO and HMO types.
Offers affordable premium rates
Low out-of-pocket costs
Few claims denied
Limited types of plans offered
MoneyGeek's top pick for the best health insurance in Iowa is Oscar. The provider offers 10 unique Silver EPO plans, with an average plan rate of $465 per month and an average MOOP cost of $8,550. Oscar has a denial rate of 12%, which is lower than most of the competition.
Its Silver EPO plans allow you to visit specialists without a referral.
Plan Recommendations
MoneyGeek recommends the following Silver plans:
Oscar is the best health insurance in Iowa for low out-of-pocket costs, with a MoneyGeek score of 89 out of 100. The company provides some of the cheapest plan options available, has low out-of-pocket costs and rarely denies claims compared with other insurers.
For this evaluation, 18 Gold EPO plans and four Gold HMO plans were reviewed.
Affordable premium rates
Low out-of-pocket costs
Few claims denied
Several types of plans available
MoneyGeek's top pick for the best health insurance in Iowa for low out-of-pocket costs is Oscar. It offers an average plan rate of $476 and an average MOOP cost of $7,100. Oscar has a denial rate of 12%, which is lower than most of the competition.
It provides four Gold EPO plans. EPO plans typically give you a network of doctors and hospitals to choose from.
Plan Recommendations
MoneyGeek recommends the following Gold and Platinum plans:
Oscar is the best cheap health insurance provider in Iowa with a MoneyGeek score of 91 out of 100. The provider offers the cheapest plan options, has lower out-of-pocket expenses and denies fewer claims than most other providers.
For this category, MoneyGeek evaluated 30 Silver plans in Iowa. They comprise 27 Silver EPO plans and three Silver HMO plans. MoneyGeek placed more importance on plans with lower monthly premiums during our review, but also noted that plans with lower premiums may have higher out-of-pocket costs.
Exceptionally low premium rates
Minimal out-of-pocket costs
Very few claims denied
Diverse plan options available
Only offers EPO plan type
MoneyGeek's top pick for the best cheap health insurance in Iowa is Oscar. They offer an average plan rate of $472 and an average MOOP cost of $8,860. Oscar has a denial rate of 11.7%, which is lower than most of the competition.
Oscar offers Silver EPO plans. EPO plans often have lower costs when you visit doctors or hospitals in the plan's network.
Plan Recommendations
MoneyGeek recommends the following cheap Silver plans:
Oscar offers the best health insurance in Iowa for people with low income, scoring 91 out of 100. It has lower-than-average rates for plans, lower out-of-pocket costs and fewer claim denials.
We evaluated 30 Silver CSR plans in Iowa for this analysis, which included both EPO and HMO plan types.
MoneyGeek placed a greater emphasis on plans with low monthly premiums and included only those with cost-sharing reductions (CSRs). CSRs lower your maximum out-of-pocket and deductible if you earn within certain income brackets, which helps you avoid paying less each month but more when you get care. A regular Silver plan covers about 70% of your health care costs, but with CSR Silver plans the amount covered changes based on your income:
These income brackets will change if you have more or fewer people living in your home.
Low premium rates
Minimal out-of-pocket costs
Very few claims denied
Only offers EPO plans
MoneyGeek's top pick for the best health insurance in Iowa for those with low income is Oscar. It has cost-effective plans for people who make less than 250% of the FPL. The provider offers 10 Silver CSR plans at an average cost of $472 per month and an average MOOP of $7,180.
The provider only has EPO plans, which typically have lower premiums. Oscar's denial rate is 12%, so it approves claims more frequently than its competitors.
Plan Recommendations
Oscar's top-rated plan offers lower out-of-pocket expenses for the same premium for people in different income brackets. Here are some of the lower overall out-of-pocket costs based on income levels:
Blue Cross Blue Shield offers the best health insurance in Iowa for young adults, with a MoneyGeek score of 80 out of 100. The provider offers the most affordable plan options and low out-of-pocket costs. It also has better-than-average denial rates for claims.
For this analysis, we evaluated five Bronze EPO plans; 30 Expanded Bronze plans, including both EPO and HMO types; and two Catastrophic EPO plans. Keep in mind that only individuals under the age of 30 can purchase Catastrophic plans.
Exceptionally affordable premium rates
Minimal out-of-pocket costs
Infrequent denial of claims
Limited types of plans offered
MoneyGeek's top pick for the best health insurance in Iowa for young adults is Blue Cross Blue Shield. It offers an average plan rate of $242 and an average MOOP cost of $8,431. It has a denial rate of about 17%, which is lower than most of the competition.
Blue Cross Blue Shield doesn't offer PPO or POS plans in Iowa. It does offer EPO plans, which often have lower premiums with a requirement to choose providers in-network.
Young adults often choose lower coverage levels because they generally need less medical care. This insurer has one Catastrophic plan and five Expanded Bronze plans.
Plan Recommendations
MoneyGeek recommends the following plans for young adults:
Health insurance companies have different plan types. The best providers for all plan categories are:
Only Silver plans were considered in these recommendations. Silver plans are a good choice for people who need to use their health insurance often. They help balance the monthly costs with the costs you pay at the doctor.
In Iowa, there are three Silver HMO plans and 27 Silver EPO plans available.
MoneyGeek's top pick for the best health insurance in Iowa for Silver EPO plans is Oscar. It offers 10 such plans, with an average plan rate of $472 and an average MOOP cost of $8,860. The provider denies fewer claims than average.
Silver EPO plans let you see doctors in their network without a referral. But you must pick in-network doctors unless you have an emergency.
Plan Recommendations
We suggest the following Silver EPO plans from Oscar:
MoneyGeek's top pick for the best health insurance in Iowa for Silver HMO plans is Blue Cross Blue Shield. It offers an average plan rate of $460 and an average MOOP cost of $8,900. The provider has a lower-than-average denial rate of 17%.
Silver HMO plans can be a good choice because they have lower monthly costs. But you need to stay in your network except for emergencies, and seeing a specialist requires a referral from your primary care doctor. If you have nearby in-network health care providers, Silver HMO plans might work well for you.
Plan Recommendations
We suggest the following Silver HMO plans from Blue Cross Blue Shield:
National General Accident & Health is MoneyGeek’s top pick for short-term health insurance in Iowa — the company earned a MoneyGeek score of 90 out of 100. Short-term health insurance best suits those who need to bridge brief coverage lapses since it doesn’t cover all essential medical benefits compliant with the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
National General Accident & Health is an outstanding health insurance company in Iowa, offering insurance for accidents, critical illness and dental needs. The provider has flexible term lengths and coverage limits as well as low-cost co-insurance and application fees. Most policies even include prescription drugs and out-of-network coverages.
Your budget and health care needs should determine the best private health insurance in Iowa for you. When you’re shopping for health insurance, it’s important to consider how much you’re willing to pay each month based on the amount of medical care you need.
Understand when a health insurance plan will cover you
Some health insurance lets you see doctors in a certain group, or network. When you see a doctor in the network, the cost is usually less. If you see a doctor outside the network, you pay more.
In Iowa, there are 27 EPO plans, which provide access to network of doctors you can choose from. There are also three HMO plans. With an HMO, you pick one main doctor, and they help you decide when to see other doctors.
Weigh the cost of premiums vs. the cost of care
When looking for health insurance, consider how much you pay each month and how high the MOOP is. Choosing the right balance for you depends on how often you go to the doctor or need medical care.
Some insurance plans might have a small monthly cost, but you might have to spend more if you get sick or hurt. Plans that cost more each month might have lower out-of-pocket limits, possibly saving you money if you see the doctor often.
MercyOne's Silver Simple Diabetes plan with the lowest out-of-pocket limit costs $465 each month. This monthly cost is less than that of some other Silver plans from the same company. If this plan offers good service in your area, it's a great choice because it has both a low monthly cost and a low out-of-pocket limit.
Medicare is a federal health insurance program that subsidizes medical care for individuals with a qualifying illness or disability as well as adults who are age 65 and older.
Medicare is split into three parts, which are:
MoneyGeek also identified the best Medicare Advantage and best Medicare Supplement plans in Iowa. Medicaid is another government-backed program for those below a state-specific income threshold. Iowans whose incomes are below 138% of the FPL can qualify for affordable, or sometimes free, health insurance.
If you’re in the market for health insurance in Iowa, it’s typical to have questions about cost and availability. MoneyGeek answers the most commonly asked questions below.
Oscar provides the best health insurance in Iowa for 2024. Note that the most suitable option depends on your background and budget.
A good rule of thumb is to select a plan that offers adequate coverage at a reasonable price. You may be enticed by low-cost plans, but the medical services included might not be enough for your needs. Also determine what plan type you need so you have sufficient protection.
About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick has analyzed the property and casualty insurance market for over five years, conducting original research and creating personalized content for every kind of buyer. Currently, he leads P&C insurance content production at MoneyGeek. Fitzpatrick has been quoted in several insurance-related publications, including CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.
Fitzpatrick earned a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He is passionate about using his knowledge of economics and insurance to bring transparency around financial topics and help others feel confident in their money moves.
