Iowa's Medicare Advantage market is smaller than most coastal states, with 10 or fewer active providers depending on county. MoneyGeek's Iowa analysis of CMS star ratings, premiums and out-of-pocket limits found Humana leads the HMO category with $0 monthly premiums and a $4,200 average out-of-pocket maximum. Its 3.5-star CMS rating is lower than other top HMO options in the state. Aetna holds a 4.5-star rating on its HMO-POS plans at an average of $204 annually. MediGold tops the PPO category with 4-star plans and no monthly premium.
Best Medicare Advantage Plans in Iowa (2026)
Updated: June 17, 2026
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Key Takeaways
Humana has the best HMO Medicare Advantage options in Iowa with a 3.5 CMS star rating, $0 monthly premium and $4,200 maximum out-of-pocket limit.
Aetna offers top HMO-POS plans in Iowa at $17 monthly, while MediGold provides the best PPO plans at $0 monthly with greater provider flexibility.
Before enrolling in an Iowa Medicare Advantage plan, confirm that your doctors, hospitals and prescription medications are covered. Then compare monthly premiums, out-of-pocket maximums and network access to find the plan that fits your health care needs.
Best Medicare Advantage Companies in Iowa
| HMO | Humana | 3.50 | $0 | $4,200 | Humana Gold Plus H0028-053 (HMO) |
| HMO-POS | Aetna | 4.50 | $17 | $4,343 | Aetna Medicare Signature (HMO-POS) |
| PPO | MediGold | 4.00 | $0 | $4,400 | MercyOne Health Plan Choice (PPO) |
Medicare Advantage plans bundle hospital stays, doctor visits and prescription drug coverage into a single plan offered by a private insurer. They replace Original Medicare rather than supplementing it, and most add dental, vision and hearing benefits.
- CMS Star Ratings: CMS scores plans from one to five stars on care quality and member satisfaction. Plans at four or five stars have a track record of better performance and service results.
- Monthly premiums: Your monthly cost is your standard Part B premium plus any plan-specific charge. Many Iowa Medicare Advantage plans add $0, but total cost depends on coverage level and location.
- Maximum out-of-pocket (MOOP) limits: The MOOP caps what you spend on covered services in a year. Once you reach it, the plan pays 100% of covered services for the rest of the year.
- Drug coverage: Most Medicare Advantage plans bundle prescription drug benefits. Check the plan's formulary to confirm your medications are covered and note any usage restrictions or prior authorization requirements.
Humana
Best HMO
MoneyGeek Rating
4.5/ 5
5/5Affordability
3.8/5Quality
5/5Availability
CMS Star Rating
3.5Plan Types
HMO, PPO, PFFS
Aetna Medicare
Best HMO-POS
MoneyGeek Rating
4.8/ 5
5/5Affordability
5/5Quality
2.5/5Availability
CMS Star Rating
4.5Plan Types
HMO-POS, PPO
MediGold
Best PPO
MoneyGeek Rating
4.7/ 5
4.9/5Affordability
5/5Quality
2.5/5Availability
CMS Star Rating
4.0Plan Types
HMO, PPO
Best HMO Medicare Advantage Plans in Iowa
Iowa HMO Medicare Advantage plans feature strong CMS star ratings from 3.5 to 5.0 stars, with nine of the ten available plans earning 4 stars or higher. HMO plans in the state are available from four providers and half of all plans have no monthly premium.
- Humana holds a 4.5 MoneyGeek score and a 3.5-star CMS rating. Its one HMO plan has a $0 monthly premium and a $4,200 out-of-pocket maximum.
- Devoted Health provides two no-premium plans with an average $5,450 out-of-pocket maximum.
- MediGold has three HMO plans averaging $8 per month, $5,000 out-of-pocket maximums and 4.5-star CMS ratings.
| Humana | 3.50 | $0 | $4,200 | 1 | 4.5 |
| Devoted Health | 5.00 | $0 | $5,450 | 2 | 4.27 |
| MediGold | 4.50 | $8 | $5,000 | 3 | 4.08 |
| Quartz Medicare Advantage (HMO) | 4.00 | $79 | $5,075 | 4 | 3.4 |
Humana's $4,200 MOOP is $1,250 lower than Devoted Health's $5,450, but Devoted Health's 5-star CMS rating is the highest in Iowa's HMO category. If you expect to hit your out-of-pocket maximum, Humana's lower cap saves $1,250 in cost exposure. If care quality ratings matter more, Devoted Health earns 5 stars to Humana's 3.5.
WHY CHOOSE AN HMO PLAN?
HMO plans use smaller provider networks and require a primary care physician to coordinate your care. Referrals are required for specialists and monthly premiums and out-of-pocket costs are lower than other plan types.
Best HMO-POS Medicare Advantage Plans in Iowa
Aetna and UnitedHealthcare are Iowa's only two HMO-POS Medicare Advantage options.
- Aetna holds a 4.5-star CMS rating across its three plans at an average of $204 annually.
- UnitedHealthcare has four plans at 4 stars. Plans average $456 annually with a $5,801 MOOP.
| Aetna | 4.50 | $17 | $4,343 | 3 | 4.75 |
| UnitedHealthcare | 4.00 | $38 | $5,801 | 4 | 3.5 |
Aetna's 4.5-star CMS rating is 0.5 stars above UnitedHealthcare's 4.0, and its $4,343 MOOP is $1,458 lower.
WHY CHOOSE AN HMO-POS PLAN?
HMO-POS plans are the right fit for beneficiaries who stay in-network most of the time but want occasional specialist access without a referral.
Best PPO Medicare Advantage Plans in Iowa
Iowa PPO plans offer the most provider flexibility but vary in quality, CMS ratings across the seven PPO providers range from 3.5 to 4 stars.
- MediGold is the only provider in the category rated at 4 stars, at $0 premium.
| MediGold | 4.00 | $0 | $4,400 | 1 | 4.67 |
| Wellmark Advantage Health Plan | 3.50 | $0 | $4,150 | 1 | 4.25 |
| Aetna | 3.50 | $23 | $4,948 | 3 | 4.02 |
| Align powered by Sanford Health Plan | 3.50 | $33 | $4,200 | 2 | 3.94 |
| Humana | 3.50 | $13 | $6,199 | 3 | 3.88 |
| UnitedHealthcare | 3.50 | $36 | $5,861 | 2 | 3.76 |
| Medica | 3.50 | $67 | $4,917 | 3 | 3.54 |
Wellmark has the lowest MOOP at $4,150 with no monthly premium, though it holds a 3.5-star rating. Iowa PPO enrollees who want any Medicare-approved provider without a referral and no monthly premium should start with MediGold.
WHY CHOOSE A PPO PLAN?
Iowa PPO plans cost more each month than HMO-POS options. Any Medicare-approved doctor is accessible without a referral. Out-of-network specialists are available at higher cost-sharing. Staying in-network keeps costs lower.
How to Choose the Best Iowa Medicare Advantage Plan
The right plan depends on your medical needs, what you can spend and how much provider flexibility matters.
- 1Confirm Your Doctors and Hospitals Are In-Network
Call your doctor's office to verify plan participation before comparing premiums. A $0-premium plan with a narrow network can cost more than a $30-per-month plan if it forces you to travel for care. Two plans from the same insurer can have different provider lists.
Iowa's rural counties have fewer Medicare Advantage plan options than Des Moines or Cedar Rapids. Some counties have only two or three plans available.
- 2Compare Total Costs, Not Just Premiums
A $0-premium plan can cost more overall if copays and deductibles are high. Add up expected medication costs and typical specialist visits before choosing a plan.
- 3Check Prescription Drug Coverage
Look up your medications on the plan's formulary and note the tier for each. Higher tiers carry higher copays and some drugs require prior authorization before the plan pays.
- 4Compare Different Plan Types
HMO plans have lower premiums than PPO options and coordinate care through a primary doctor. HMO-POS adds limited out-of-network access. PPO plans are the right choice for frequent travelers or beneficiaries who need specialist access without a referral.
- 5Review Star Ratings and Quality Metrics
CMS star ratings score plans on quality, service and member satisfaction from one to five stars. Plans at four or five stars have a track record of better care and service results.
- 6Compare Extra Benefits
Many Iowa Medicare Advantage plans add dental, vision, hearing, fitness memberships and over-the-counter allowances. Match the extras to your actual health needs.
- 7Check Out-of-Pocket Maximums
The out-of-pocket maximum caps what you spend on covered care in a year. Lower caps mean less annual financial exposure but higher monthly premiums. The right balance depends on how much care you expect to use.
How Much Does Medicare Advantage Cost in Iowa?
In Iowa, HMO plans average $34 a month, though the median is $0, with out-of-pocket maximums averaging $5,040. HMO-POS plans average $14 per month with $5,334 in out-of-pocket costs.
PPO plans average $29 monthly with a $5,074 out-of-pocket maximum. PFFS plans, available only through Humana in Iowa, are $37 a month with a $6,800 MOOP.
| HMO | $0 | $34 | $5,040 |
| HMO-POS | $0 | $14 | $5,334 |
| PFFS | $37 | $37 | $6,800 |
| PPO | $0 | $29 | $5,074 |
The median premium is $0 across both HMO and PPO plans. Most Iowa beneficiaries can enroll without a monthly premium.
Iowa HMO out-of-pocket maximums range from $3,900 (MediGold Plus HMO) to $6,900 (MediGold Cash Back HMO), a $3,000 spread.
Bottom Line
Aetna's Medicare Signature HMO-POS with 4.5-star CMS rating at $0 monthly premium is a pairing you won't find in most states and the $4,300 out-of-pocket maximum is below the Iowa category average.
Cost-focused beneficiaries should start with Humana's Gold Plus HMO at $0 premium and a $4,200 MOOP. Devoted Health earns 5 stars for those who prioritize care quality. For PPO flexibility at no monthly cost, MediGold's Choice PPO is Iowa's only 4-star zero-premium option.
Best Iowa Medicare Advantage: FAQ
Find answers to frequently asked questions about Medicare Advantage enrollment processes, what's covered and enrollment timing for Iowa residents.
How do you get a Medicare Advantage plan in Iowa?
Enroll during the Annual Enrollment Period (Oct. 15-Dec. 7) or when first eligible for Medicare. Apply through Medicare.gov, contact insurers directly, or work with licensed agents. Coverage begins Jan. 1 for fall enrollments or during other qualifying periods.
What does Medicare Advantage cover?
Medicare Advantage plans cover everything Original Medicare does, including hospital stays and doctor visits, plus most include prescription drugs and extras like dental and vision.
What's the difference between Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement?
Medicare Advantage replaces Original Medicare with bundled coverage from a private insurer. Medicare Supplement (Medigap) works alongside Original Medicare to cover deductibles and copays. The two can't be combined, if you enroll in Medicare Advantage, your Medigap policy won't pay.
When is open enrollment for Medicare Advantage in Iowa?
Iowa Medicare Advantage has three enrollment windows. Annual enrollment runs Oct. 15 to Dec. 7. Current enrollees can switch plans Jan. 1 to March 31. New beneficiaries have a seven-month window when first enrolling in Medicare.
Which Iowa Medicare Advantage plan has the best prescription drug coverage?
All four top-rated Iowa Medicare Advantage providers include enhanced Part D drug coverage that waives deductibles on select medication tiers. The plan that saves you the most money depends on which tier your specific medications fall on. Look up each drug on the plan's formulary at Medicare.gov before you enroll. A plan with lower copays on your drug tiers will often save more than a plan with a lower monthly premium if you take multiple medications.
Can I keep my current doctor with an Iowa Medicare Advantage plan?
Not all Iowa doctors accept every Medicare Advantage plan. Two plans from the same insurer can have different provider lists, so verify directly with your doctor's office that they accept the specific plan you're considering, not just that they take Medicare.
MediGold uses the MercyOne provider network, which covers much of central and eastern Iowa. Humana, Aetna and UnitedHealthcare use broader networks that include providers outside the MercyOne system.
Our Methodology: How We Ranked Iowa's Best Medicare Advantage Plans
We scored Iowa Medicare Advantage plans on three factors:
- Affordability (50%): Monthly premiums for combined Part C and Part D coverage account for 30% of the score. In-network MOOP limits account for 20%. Lower premiums and lower MOOPs score higher because they reduce total annual spending.
- Star Ratings (40%): CMS star ratings score plan quality across care effectiveness, customer service and member satisfaction. The Overall Star Rating combines Part C and Part D scores on a one-to-five scale. Higher ratings score higher in our analysis.
- Availability (10%): We scored providers on how many states they operate in, including Washington, D.C. Broader coverage scores higher because it makes continued coverage more likely if you move.
About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty (P&C) Insurance Producer in Connecticut, is MoneyGeek's resident insurance expert. He has spent nearly a decade analyzing the market, first at LendingTree and now at MoneyGeek, where he produces original research on hundreds of carriers and millions of rates across auto, home, renters, health and life insurance.
He covers economics and insurance at MoneyGeek, and his work has been featured in The Washington Post, The New York Times and NPR, among other outlets.
Like all MoneyGeek analysts, he draws on independent cost and consumer experience data. No insurance company partnership influences his recommendations.
Fitzpatrick earned his degrees from Johns Hopkins University (M.A. Economics and International Relations) and Boston College (B.A.). His career began in financial risk management at State Street. He's also a five-time “Jeopardy!” champion.
Sources
- CMS.gov. "Medicare Advantage Resources." Accessed June 22, 2026.
- Medicare.gov. " Welcome to Medicare." Accessed June 22, 2026.