Best Medicare Advantage Plans in Iowa (2027)

Best Medicare Advantage Companies in Iowa

Humana is the best Medicare Advantage provider in Iowa for 2027, with a 4.0-star median CMS rating and $4,850 in median maximum annual cost exposure. Its four plans are available in 98 counties. Devoted Health ranks second with the highest median CMS rating among the top insurers at 4.5 stars, though its $5,900 median cost exposure is higher and its three plans are limited to 47 counties.

MediGold ranks third, with five plan options across 57 counties and $4,900 in median cost exposure. Wellcare has the lowest median cost exposure at $4,400 but has just one plan and a 2.5-star median CMS quality rating. Aetna Medicare serves 85 counties, while UnitedHealthcare has the largest plan selection with nine plans across 62 counties.


Humana	4.3	$4,850	4.0	98	4
Devoted Health	4.2	$5,900	4.5	47	3
MediGold	4.2	$4,900	3.5	57	5
Aetna Medicare	4.1	$6,950	4.0	85	8
Wellcare	4.0	$4,400	2.5	76	1
UnitedHealthcare	3.8	$7,150	3.5	62	9

Iowa Medicare Advantage Market Overview

Iowa has 38 non-SNP Medicare Advantage plans from eight insurance companies in 2027. Plan availability varies by location, with the median county offering 16 options. Overall, 68% of plans charge no additional monthly premium beyond Medicare Part B.

Medicare Advantage plans provide Medicare Part A and Part B coverage through private insurers, often with benefits beyond Original Medicare. Depending on the plan, supplemental benefits may include dental, vision and hearing coverage. Availability and coverage limits vary by insurer and plan.

Iowa plans have a median maximum out-of-pocket (MOOP) limit of $6,450, but individual limits range from $4,000 to $9,850. Plan quality also varies, with an average CMS rating of 3.84 out of 5 stars. 67% of rated contracts earn 4 stars or higher.


Non-SNP Medicare Advantage plans	38	Your actual choices depend on which plans are available in your county.
Carriers	8	A smaller insurer pool makes comparing each carrier's costs, provider networks and quality ratings important.
CMS contracts	15	Some carriers operate under multiple contracts in the state, which can have different quality ratings.
Median plans per county	16	Most counties have a broad plan selection.
Plans with a $0 premium	68%	Nearly one-third of plans charge a premium beyond Medicare Part B.
Median max out-of-pocket (MOOP)	$6,450	Half of plans have annual in-network spending limits above this amount, half below.
MOOP range	$4,000–$9,850	Annual spending limits differ by up to $5,850, so MOOP limits are worth comparing.
Average CMS star rating	3.84 out of 5	Overall quality is close to the 4-star benchmark, but individual ratings vary widely.
Contracts rated 4+ stars	67%	About two-thirds of rated contracts meet the 4-star quality benchmark.

Humana

MoneyGeek Rating

4.3/ 5

4.6/5Affordability

4.1/5Quality & Member Experience

4.3/5Benefits & Access

Median Max Annual Cost Exposure
$4,850
Median CMS Star Rating
4.0
Counties Served
98
Plans Available
4

pros
- Covers 98 of 99 Iowa counties
- $0 premiums on all plans
- All plans include dental, vision and hearing benefits
- $4,850 median MOOP second-lowest in Iowa
cons
- Limited to four plan options
- No OTC benefits
Humana is the best Medicare Advantage company in Iowa for 2027, combining low out-of-pocket limits with nearly statewide availability. Its HMO plan has a $4,200 maximum out-of-pocket (MOOP) limit, $700 below Iowa's $4,900 HMO median. Its PPO plans have a $5,000 median MOOP, $2,150 below the statewide PPO median of $7,150.

Humana has four plan options and serves all of Iowa except for Taylor county. All of its plans have $0 monthly premiums and include dental, vision and hearing benefits. Its 4.0-star median CMS rating exceeds the statewide average of 3.84 stars. The carrier also has a $2,500 median dental benefit maximum, which is among the highest in the state.

The main limitations are its small plan selection and hearing benefits that require copays rather than offering fixed allowances.
- Plans offered: 4 plans, including 1 HMO and 3 PPOs
- Availability: 98 Iowa counties, or 99.0% of the state
- Counties: All but Taylor county
- $0 premium plans: 100% of plans
- Supplemental benefits: All plans include dental, vision and hearing benefits
- Out-of-pocket costs: Median MOOP is $4,850, with plans ranging from $4,200 to $7,500

Devoted Health

MoneyGeek Rating

4.2/ 5

4/5Affordability

4.5/5Quality & Member Experience

4.1/5Benefits & Access

Median Max Annual Cost Exposure
$5,900
Median CMS Star Rating
4.5
Counties Served
47
Plans Available
3

pros
- 4.5-star median CMS rating highest in the state
- Tied for highest CAHPS member satisfaction rating at 90 out of 100
- All plans have $0 monthly premium
- All plans include dental, vision and hearing benefits
cons
- HMO median MOOP $1,000 above the state HMO median
- Highest specialist copay at $50 per visit
- $550 median daily inpatient copay
Devoted Health has the highest median CMS rating among Iowa's Medicare Advantage carriers for 2027 at 4.5 stars, compared with the statewide average of 3.84 stars. Its CAHPS health plan rating of 90 also exceeds Iowa's average of 86.

Devoted has three HMO plans across 47 counties, all with $0 monthly premiums and dental, vision and hearing benefits included. Its $3,000 median dental benefit maximum exceeds Humana's $2,500, while its $350 median eyewear allowance is more than twice Aetna Medicare's $150.

Higher medical costs are the main drawback. Devoted's $5,900 median maximum out-of-pocket (MOOP) limit is $1,000 above Iowa's HMO median of $4,900. Its $550 median daily inpatient copay also exceeds the statewide HMO median of $385 by $165.
- Plans offered: 3 HMOs
- Availability: 47 Iowa counties, or 47.5% of the state
- Counties: Adair, Adams, Audubon, Benton, Boone, Buchanan, Cass, Cedar, Clarke, Clinton, Crawford, Dallas, Decatur, Delaware, Fayette, Fremont, Greene, Grundy, Guthrie, Hardin, Harrison, Iowa, Jackson, Jasper, Jones, Linn, Louisa, Lucas, Madison, Mahaska, Marion, Marshall, Mills, Monona, Montgomery, Muscatine, Polk, Pottawattamie, Poweshiek, Ringgold, Scott, Shelby, Tama, Union, Warren, Washington and Wayne
- $0 premium plans: 100% of plans
- Supplemental benefits: All plans include dental, vision and hearing benefits
- Out-of-pocket costs: Median MOOP is $5,900, with plans ranging from $4,750 to $7,150

MediGold

MoneyGeek Rating

4.2/ 5

4.6/5Affordability

3.9/5Quality & Member Experience

4.1/5Benefits & Access

Median Max Annual Cost Exposure
$4,900
Median CMS Star Rating
3.5
Counties Served
57
Plans Available
5

pros
- Dental, vision and hearing included on every plan
- Tied for highest CAHPS member satisfaction rating at 90 out of 100
- Highest OTC benefit with $160 median
- PPO median MOOP $2,250 below the state PPO median
cons
- 3.5-star median CMS rating
- HMO median MOOP $800 above the state HMO median
- $1,000 median dental benefit trails competitors
MediGold has one of the lowest maximum out-of-pocket (MOOP) limits for PPO Medicare Advantage coverage in Iowa for 2027. Its $4,900 median PPO MOOP is $2,250 below the statewide PPO median of $7,150. Its four HMO plans are less competitive on costs, with a $5,700 median MOOP, $800 above Iowa's HMO median of $4,900.

MediGold has five plans across 57 counties. Four out of five have $0 monthly premiums, and all include dental, vision and hearing benefits, along with a $160 median over-the-counter (OTC) allowance.

MediGold's HMO plans have a CAHPS member satisfaction rating of 90 out of 100, tied for the highest in the state, while its PPO plan scores 86. Both plan types have below-average CMS quality ratings, with 3.5 stars for HMOs and 3 stars for its PPO plan. MediGold's $1,000 median dental benefit maximum also trails top-ranked competitors.
- Plans offered: 5 plans, including 4 HMOs and 1 PPO
- Availability: 57 Iowa counties, or 57.6% of the state
- Counties: Adair, Adams, Appanoose, Benton, Black Hawk, Boone, Bremer, Buchanan, Butler, Cedar, Cerro Gordo, Chickasaw, Clarke, Clayton, Clinton, Dallas, Decatur, Delaware, Fayette, Floyd, Franklin, Greene, Grundy, Guthrie, Hamilton, Hancock, Hardin, Henry, Humboldt, Iowa, Jackson, Jasper, Jefferson, Jones, Keokuk, Kossuth, Louisa, Lucas, Madison, Mahaska, Marion, Marshall, Mitchell, Monroe, Muscatine, Polk, Poweshiek, Ringgold, Scott, Tama, Union, Warren, Washington, Wayne, Winnebago, Worth and Wright
- $0 premium plans: 80% of plans
- Supplemental benefits: All plans include dental, vision and hearing benefits
- Out-of-pocket costs: Median MOOP is $4,900, with plans ranging from $4,400 to $8,900

Aetna Medicare

MoneyGeek Rating

4.1/ 5

4/5Affordability

4.1/5Quality & Member Experience

4.5/5Benefits & Access

Median Max Annual Cost Exposure
$6,950
Median CMS Star Rating
4.0
Counties Served
85
Plans Available
8

pros
- Broad county availability
- All plans include vision and hearing, most include dental
- $2,500 hearing allowance
- HMO-POS median MOOP below state median
cons
- $875 median dental benefit lowest in state
Aetna Medicare has eight Medicare Advantage plans across 85 Iowa counties. Its four HMO-POS plans have a $4,975 median maximum out-of-pocket (MOOP) limit, $1,175 below Iowa's HMO-POS median of $6,150, while its four PPO plans match the statewide PPO median MOOP of $7,150.

Aetna has a 4-star CMS rating for both its HMO-POS and PPO plans, while CAHPS member satisfaction ratings range from 84 to 87 out of 100 across individual plans. About 75% of its plans have $0 monthly premiums, compared with 68% statewide. The remaining plans have monthly premiums ranging from $33 to $53. All plans include vision and hearing benefits, with a $2,500 median hearing aid allowance.

Dental benefits are less competitive. Only 75% of Aetna's plans include dental coverage, below Iowa's statewide rate of 82%. Its $875 median dental benefit maximum also lags behind several competing insurers.
- Plans offered: 8 plans, including 4 HMO-POS plans and 4 PPOs
- Availability: 85 Iowa counties, or 85.9% of the state
- Counties: Adair, Adams, Allamakee, Appanoose, Benton, Black Hawk, Boone, Bremer, Buchanan, Buena Vista, Butler, Calhoun, Carroll, Cass, Cedar, Cerro Gordo, Cherokee, Clarke, Clay, Clinton, Crawford, Dallas, Decatur, Delaware, Dickinson, Fayette, Floyd, Franklin, Fremont, Greene, Grundy, Guthrie, Hamilton, Hancock, Hardin, Harrison, Henry, Humboldt, Ida, Iowa, Jackson, Jasper, Jefferson, Johnson, Jones, Keokuk, Kossuth, Linn, Louisa, Lucas, Lyon, Madison, Mahaska, Marion, Marshall, Mills, Monona, Monroe, Montgomery, Muscatine, O'Brien, Osceola, Page, Plymouth, Pocahontas, Polk, Pottawattamie, Poweshiek, Ringgold, Sac, Scott, Shelby, Sioux, Tama, Union, Wapello, Warren, Washington, Wayne, Webster, Winnebago, Winneshiek, Woodbury, Worth and Wright
- $0 premium plans: 75% of plans
- Supplemental benefits: All plans include vision and hearing benefits; 75% of plans include dental
- Out-of-pocket costs: Median MOOP is $6,950, with plans ranging from $4,450 to $7,150

WellCare

MoneyGeek Rating

4/ 5

4.9/5Affordability

3.1/5Quality & Member Experience

4/5Benefits & Access

Median Max Annual Cost Exposure
$4,400
Median CMS Star Rating
2.5
Counties Served
76
Plans Available
1

pros
- $4,400 MOOP, $1,750 below the HMO-POS median
- $3,000 dental benefit tied for highest in the state
- No monthly premium
- Lowest inpatient copay ($350 per day) and lowest specialist copay ($15 per visit)
cons
- Only one plan option
- 2.5-star CMS quality rating
- No hearing benefits
Wellcare has a single HMO-POS Medicare Advantage plan available in 76 Iowa counties for 2027. Its $4,400 maximum out-of-pocket (MOOP) limit is $1,750 below Iowa's HMO-POS median of $6,150. The plan also has a $350 daily inpatient copay and a $15 specialist copay, compared with statewide HMO-POS medians of $470 and $45.

The plan has no monthly premium and includes dental and vision benefits, with a $3,000 dental benefit maximum and $100 eyewear allowance. Hearing benefits aren't included.

Wellcare's low costs come with below-average quality ratings. Its 2.5-star CMS rating is well below Iowa's 3.84-star average, while its CAHPS member satisfaction rating of 81 is the lowest in the state.
- Plans offered: 1 HMO-POS plan
- Availability: 76 Iowa counties, or 76.8% of the state
- Counties: Adair, Adams, Appanoose, Audubon, Benton, Boone, Buchanan, Butler, Carroll, Cass, Cedar, Cerro Gordo, Chickasaw, Clarke, Clayton, Clinton, Crawford, Dallas, Davis, Decatur, Delaware, Des Moines, Floyd, Franklin, Fremont, Greene, Grundy, Guthrie, Hamilton, Hancock, Hardin, Harrison, Henry, Howard, Iowa, Jackson, Jasper, Jefferson, Johnson, Jones, Keokuk, Kossuth, Lee, Linn, Louisa, Lucas, Madison, Mahaska, Marion, Mills, Mitchell, Monona, Monroe, Montgomery, Muscatine, O'Brien, Osceola, Page, Polk, Pottawattamie, Poweshiek, Ringgold, Shelby, Sioux, Tama, Taylor, Union, Van Buren, Wapello, Warren, Washington, Wayne, Winnebago, Winneshiek, Worth and Wright
- $0 premium plans: 100% of plans
- Supplemental benefits: All plans include dental and vision benefits; none include hearing
- Out-of-pocket costs: Median MOOP is $4,400, with plans ranging from $4,400 to $4,400

UnitedHealthcare

MoneyGeek Rating

3.8/ 5

3.6/5Affordability

3.8/5Quality & Member Experience

4/5Benefits & Access

Median Max Annual Cost Exposure
$7,150
Median CMS Star Rating
3.5
Counties Served
62
Plans Available
9

pros
- HMO-POS and PPO options
- $2,000 dental maximum
- $250 median vision allowance
- All plans include a $700 hearing allowance
cons
- HMO-POS median MOOP $1,000 above the state median
- 3.5-star CMS quality rating
- 83 out of 100 CAHPS member satisfaction rating
- No OTC benefits
UnitedHealthcare offers nine Medicare Advantage plans across 62 Iowa counties for 2027, the largest selection in the state. Its five HMO-POS plans and four PPO plans give you access to different network options, though out-of-pocket costs are high compared to competitors.

UnitedHealthcare's median maximum out-of-pocket (MOOP) limit is $7,150 for both plan types. That's $1,000 above Iowa's HMO-POS median of $6,150 and matches the statewide PPO median of $7,150. Its $685 median daily inpatient copay is also among the highest in Iowa.

About 67% of UnitedHealthcare's plans have $0 monthly premiums, close to Iowa's statewide rate of 68% across all carriers. All plans include hearing benefits, with a $700 median hearing aid allowance, while 78% include vision coverage. Dental benefits are less widely available, and the carrier's 3.5-star median CMS rating falls below Iowa's 3.84-star average.
- Plans offered: 9 plans, including 5 HMO-POS plans and 4 PPOs
- Availability: 62 Iowa counties, or 62.6% of the state
- Counties: Benton, Black Hawk, Boone, Buena Vista, Butler, Calhoun, Carroll, Cass, Cedar, Cerro Gordo, Clay, Clayton, Clinton, Crawford, Dallas, Delaware, Des Moines, Dickinson, Dubuque, Emmet, Fayette, Floyd, Franklin, Fremont, Grundy, Hamilton, Hancock, Hardin, Harrison, Henry, Humboldt, Iowa, Jackson, Jasper, Johnson, Jones, Keokuk, Kossuth, Lee, Linn, Louisa, Madison, Marshall, Mills, Montgomery, Muscatine, Page, Palo Alto, Pocahontas, Polk, Pottawattamie, Poweshiek, Sac, Scott, Shelby, Story, Tama, Warren, Washington, Webster, Winnebago and Wright
- $0 premium plans: 67% of plans
- Supplemental benefits: All plans include hearing benefits; 67% of plans include dental; 78% of plans include vision
- Out-of-pocket costs: Median MOOP is $7,150, with plans ranging from $5,900 to $9,850

How to Choose the Best Iowa Medicare Advantage Plan

The best Medicare Advantage plan depends on your health needs, budget and where you live in Iowa. Plans vary by county, so a top-rated option in Des Moines won't necessarily be available in rural areas like Mason City or Ottumwa.

1
Doctors and prescriptions
Check whether your current providers are in-network before enrolling. If you take regular medications, compare Part D drug formularies across plans. Switching plans mid-year isn't an option outside of special enrollment periods, so getting this wrong can be costly.
2
Compare total costs, not just premiums
A $0-premium plan can still carry high out-of-pocket exposure through copays, coinsurance and deductibles. Compare the annual out-of-pocket maximum, which caps your total yearly spending. In Iowa, that ceiling ranges from around $4,000 to $9,850 depending on the plan.
3
CMS star ratings
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services rates plans on a 5-star scale based on factors like member experience, chronic disease management and customer service. Plans with 4 stars or higher are considered above average for quality and performance.
4
Look for extra benefits
Many Iowa plans include dental, vision, hearing and fitness benefits that Original Medicare doesn't cover. These aren't free add-ons. Plans with richer extras often trade off with narrower networks or higher cost-sharing, so weigh whether you'll actually use them.
5
Network type and geographic access
HMO plans cost less but require referrals and restrict you to in-network providers. PPO plans give more provider flexibility, which matters if you split time between Iowa and another state or live in a rural county with fewer specialists nearby.

How Much Does Medicare Advantage Cost in Iowa?

Most Iowa Medicare Advantage plans have a monthly premium of $0 across HMO, HMO-POS and PPO plans for 2027, but out-of-pocket costs vary widely. HMOs have the lowest median maximum out-of-pocket (MOOP) limit at $4,900, compared with $6,150 for HMO-POS plans and $7,150 for PPOs. Once you reach your plan's in-network MOOP limit, it pays 100% of covered Part A and Part B costs for the rest of the year.

Median primary care copays are $15 across all three plan types. Median specialist copays range from $32 for HMOs to $45 for HMO-POS plans, while median daily inpatient hospital copays range from $385 to $470 across plan types.


HMO	$0	$4,900	$385	$15	$32
HMO-POS	$0	$6,150	$470	$15	$45
PPO	$0	$7,150	$422	$15	$35

* Median cost figures across all 38 non-SNP Iowa Medicare Advantage plans, grouped by plan type. All dollar figures are rounded to the nearest dollar. Source: CMS 2027 data, MoneyGeek analysis.

Iowa Medicare Advantage Resources

Use these state and federal resources to compare Medicare Advantage plans, understand your benefits and get help with enrollment.

Iowa SHIIP: Provides free, unbiased Medicare counseling to help you compare plans, review costs and understand coverage options.
Iowa Insurance Division: Regulates insurers in Iowa and provides resources to verify insurers and learn about insurance protections in the state.
Medicare Plan Finder: Compare Medicare Advantage plans in your county by premiums, estimated costs, benefits and star ratings.
Social Security Administration: Handles Medicare enrollment and allows you to apply online or find a local Social Security office for assistance.
Iowa Area Agencies on Aging: Connects seniors and people with disabilities with local services, including Medicare and benefits counseling resources.

Frequently Asked Questions

You can enroll when you're first eligible for Medicare or during the Annual Enrollment Period, which runs Oct. 15 to Dec. 7. Medicare.gov, a direct call to the insurer or a licensed agent all work as enrollment routes. Fall enrollments start coverage on Jan. 1, and other qualifying periods follow their own timelines.

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.

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.

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

MoneyGeek evaluated Iowa Medicare Advantage companies using five CMS data sources for the 2027 plan year, including the Medicare Plan Landscape File, Plan Benefit Package files, CMS Star Ratings, the CAHPS Report Card Master Table and the Contract/Plan Enrollment file.

How We Score Carriers

Each carrier in the state receives an overall MoneyGeek score out of five from a weighted average of three category scores:

Affordability (40%): Maximum annual cost exposure, calculated as annual premiums plus the maximum out-of-pocket limit, along with inpatient hospital, specialist and primary care costs.
Quality and Member Experience (40%): CMS Star Ratings make up 60% of this category and CAHPS C26 member ratings make up 40%. Both are measured at the contract level.
Benefits and Access (20%): Supplemental benefits, including dental, OTC, vision and hearing, make up 50% of this category. County coverage makes up 30% and plan choice per county makes up 20%.

About Patrick Bryant

Patrick Bryant is the Vertical Lead for Health Insurance at MoneyGeek, where he researches insurance products, writes consumer guides and maintains the scoring methodologies behind our provider comparisons. He analyzed more than 100 health insurance carriers across all 50 U.S. states and multiple policy types. His methodologies are reviewed quarterly to reflect current market conditions and carrier data.

Read Full Bio »

Best Medicare Advantage Plans in Iowa (2027)

Best Medicare Advantage Companies in Iowa

Iowa Medicare Advantage Market Overview

Humana

Devoted Health

MediGold

Aetna Medicare

WellCare

UnitedHealthcare

How to Choose the Best Iowa Medicare Advantage Plan

How Much Does Medicare Advantage Cost in Iowa?

Iowa Medicare Advantage Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you get a Medicare Advantage plan in Iowa?

What does Medicare Advantage cover?

What's the difference between Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement?

Can I keep my current doctor with an Iowa Medicare Advantage plan?

Our Methodology

About Patrick Bryant