Best Medicare Advantage Plans in Iowa (2026)

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

We analyzed CMS star ratings, premiums, out-of-pocket limits, and plan features to identify the best Medicare Advantage plans in Iowa that provide strong value across HMO, HMO-POS and PPO plans. Humana leads the HMO category with $0 monthly premiums and an average $4,200 out-of-pocket maximum, though its CMS rating is a lower 3.5 stars. For HMO-POS plans,

Aetna delivers solid 4-star coverage, while MediGold tops the PPO market with 4-star ratings, competitive pricing, and comprehensive benefits.


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 comprehensive packages offered by private insurers. These plans serve as alternatives to Original Medicare while adding extra benefits like dental, vision and hearing coverage.

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 outcomes.
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 hit 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
3.5
Plan Types
HMO, PPO, PFFS

pros
- 3 of 5 plans charge $0 monthly premium
- Provides the only PFFS plan in the state
cons
- No HMO-POS plan options
- Out-of-pocket maximums as high as $9,250
Iowa beneficiaries can choose from five Humana Medicare Advantage plans across three network types, all rated 3.5 stars by CMS. The Gold Plus HMO plan has the lowest out-of-pocket exposure at $4,200, carries no monthly premium, and includes enhanced Part D coverage with select tiers waiving the deductible.

Two zero-premium PPO plans provide broader network access. The Full Access PPO sets the out-of-pocket maximum at $4,250, while the Giveback PPO increases the maximum to $5,000. A third PPO option costs $38 per month and comes with a high $9,250 out-of-pocket maximum. Humana also the state's only Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS) plan at $37 monthly with a $6,800 out-of-pocket limit, allowing members to see any Medicare-accepting provider.

Aetna Medicare

Best HMO-POS

MoneyGeek Rating

4.8/ 5

5/5Affordability

5/5Quality

2.5/5Availability

CMS Star Rating
4.5
Plan Types
HMO-POS, PPO

pros
- Four of six plans have $0 monthly premiums
- HMO-POS plans hold 4.5-star CMS ratings
- MOOP limits are below the Iowa category average
cons
- PPO plans carry 3.5-star CMS ratings
- No standard HMO options in Iowa
Aetna's three HMO-POS plans all carry 4.5-star CMS ratings with enhanced Part D drug coverage included. The Medicare Value Care plan has the lowest MOOP at $3,900 with a $41 monthly premium. The Medicare Signature plan caps at $4,300 with no monthly premium. The Signature Extra plan reaches $5,000 annually and also charges $0 a month.

On the PPO side, Aetna has three plans with nationwide network flexibility and 3.5-star ratings. Two $0-premium PPOs cap at $5,000 and $5,500. The Enhanced Extra PPO is $57 a month with the lowest PPO MOOP at $4,500.

MediGold

Best PPO

MoneyGeek Rating

4.7/ 5

4.9/5Affordability

5/5Quality

2.5/5Availability

CMS Star Rating
4.0
Plan Types
HMO, PPO

pros
- 3 of 4 plans have $0 premium
- Strong CMS ratings on all plans
cons
- Limited plan selection
- No HMO-POS options
MediGold offers four MercyOne Health Plan options in Iowa, all featuring enhanced Part D prescription benefits that waive deductibles on select medication tiers. These plans give you access to quality-rated coverage through MercyOne’s provider network.

The Choice PPO plan provides nationwide network flexibility, a 4-star CMS rating, no monthly premium, and a $4,400 out-of-pocket maximum. The provider's three HMO plans earn 4.5-star ratings. The No Premium HMO delivers $0 monthly premiums with a $4,200 out-of-pocket maximum and enhanced drug coverage. The Plus HMO costs $23 per month but lowers the maximum to $3,900, while the Cash Back HMO remains premium-free with a higher $6,900 out-of-pocket limit.

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 more than half of all plans have no monthly premium.

Humana leads with a 4.5 MoneyGeek score, offering one plan with a $0 monthly premium and $4,200 average out-of-pocket maximum, though it holds a 3.5-star CMS rating.
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 solid 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

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 the only HMO-POS Medicare Advantage options in Iowa. Both carry strong CMS ratings with competitive pricing. HMO-POS plans add limited out-of-network access to the standard HMO structure, which gives Iowa seniors some flexibility without the full cost of a PPO.


Aetna	4.50	$17	$4,343	3	4.75
UnitedHealthcare	4.00	$38	$5,801	4	3.5

WHY CHOOSE AN HMO-POS PLAN?

HMO-POS plans cover out-of-network visits at higher cost-sharing. They suit enrollees who stay in-network most of the time but want specialist access available without a referral when needed.

Best PPO Medicare Advantage Plans in Iowa

PPO plans let Iowa seniors see any Medicare-approved provider without a referral. MediGold leads with its MercyOne Health Plan Choice, a 4-star plan with a $0 monthly premium and a $4,400 MOOP. Wellmark Advantage Health Plan has the lowest MOOP in the category at $4,150 with no monthly premium. Aetna has three PPO options averaging $23 a month with 3.5-star ratings.


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

WHY CHOOSE A PPO PLAN?

Iowa PPO plans cost more each month than HMO or HMO-POS options, but 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.

1
Confirm Your Doctors and Hospitals Are In-Network
Call your doctors and hospitals directly to verify they're in the specific plan's network, not just affiliated with the insurer generally. Two plans from the same insurer can have different provider lists.
2
Compare 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.
3
Check 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.
4
Compare Different Plan Types
HMO plans have the lowest premiums and coordinate care through a primary doctor. HMO-POS adds limited out-of-network access. PPO plans suit frequent travelers or anyone who wants specialist access without a referral. More on plan types here.
5
Review 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 outcomes.
6
Compare 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.
7
Check 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?

The type of Medicare Advantage plan you choose plays a major role in your costs. In Iowa, HMO plans have the highest average monthly premiums at $34, though the median premium is $0, with out-of-pocket maximums averaging $5,040. HMO-POS plans are the most affordable, averaging $14 per month with $5,334 in out-of-pocket costs, while PPO plans sit in the middle, with an average premium of $29 and a $5,074 out-of-pocket maximum.


HMO	$0	$34	$5,040
HMO-POS	$0	$14	$5,334
PFFS	$37	$37	$6,800
PPO	$0	$29	$5,074

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 private insurers, while Medicare Supplement (Medigap) works alongside Original Medicare to cover deductibles and copays.

When is open enrollment for Medicare Advantage in Iowa?

Iowa Medicare Advantage has three enrollment windows: October 15 to December 7 for annual enrollment, January 1 to March 31 for current enrollees making plan changes and a seven-month window for new beneficiaries enrolling for the first time.

Our Methodology: How We Ranked Iowa's Best Medicare Advantage Plans

We scored Iowa Medicare Advantage plans on three factors:

Affordability (50%): We weighted monthly premiums for combined Part C and Part D coverage at 30% and in-network MOOP limits at 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 geographic coverage scores higher because it makes continued coverage more likely if you move and generally indicates more resources behind customer support and plan management.

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 has produced 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.). He began his career in financial risk management at State Street. He's also a five-time “Jeopardy!” champion.

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