Oscar charges Iowa residents $496 monthly for the state's most affordable health insurance, saving them $79 below the statewide average each month and ranking first for affordability across all marketplace providers operating in Iowa's 99 counties. Wellmark Health Plan of Iowa, Inc. follows at $524 monthly. Avera Health Plans, Ambetter, UnitedHealthcare and Medica provide additional coverage options.
Cheapest Health Insurance in Iowa (2026)
Updated: January 2, 2026
Advertising & Editorial Disclosure
Key Takeaways
Oscar offers the lowest health insurance rates in Iowa with monthly premiums averaging $496, which is 14% below the state average.
Ambetter provides the most affordable coverage for young adults, adults, seniors and HMO plans in Iowa, while Avera Health Plans delivers the cheapest PPO rates and Oscar maintains the lowest EPO premiums.
Choose your coverage level within budget, verify subsidy eligibility and get quotes from at least three insurers.
Most Affordable Health Insurance Companies in Iowa
| Oscar | $496 | $79 | $5,952 | $948 |
| Wellmark Health Plan Of Iowa, Inc. | $524 | $51 | $6,288 | $612 |
| Avera Health Plans | $548 | $27 | $6,576 | $324 |
| Ambetter | $557 | $18 | $6,684 | $216 |
| UnitedHealthcare | $634 | $59 | $7,608 | $708 |
| Medica | $729 | $154 | $8,748 | $1,848 |
* We calculate average monthly rates by taking the rounded average of each provider’s monthly plan rates in Iowa. We calculate average monthly savings by subtracting the statewide average monthly rate from each provider’s average to show how much cheaper they are than the overall state average. Your actual rates will vary based on age, location and chosen plan.
Oscar Insurance Company
MoneyGeek Rating
4.5/ 5
5/5Affordability
2.5/5Deductible
5/5MOOP
Average Monthly Rate
$496Average MOOP
$6,675Average Deductible
$3,777
Cheapest Iowa Health Insurance Providers by Profile
Age, plan type preference and metal level selection directly impact your monthly costs. Comparing premiums alone misses the complete financial picture. You should also examine how deductibles and maximum out-of-pocket costs combine with monthly payments to calculate your annual health care spending.
| Children | Ambetter | $311 | $3,727 | $5,489 | $3,268 |
| Teens | Ambetter | $371 | $4,448 | $5,489 | $3,268 |
| Young Adults | Ambetter | $416 | $4,989 | $5,489 | $3,268 |
| Adults | Ambetter | $519 | $6,226 | $5,489 | $3,268 |
| HMO | Ambetter | $519 | $6,226 | $5,489 | $3,268 |
| EPO | Oscar | $523 | $6,281 | $5,760 | $3,176 |
| PPO | Avera Health Plans | $588 | $7,053 | $6,046 | $3,021 |
| Seniors | Ambetter | $1,102 | $13,223 | $5,489 | $3,268 |
* Rates shown are averages for silver-tier plans, using the following ages for each group: teens age 18, young adults age 26, adults age 40, seniors age 60. For plan type costs, we used average rates for 40-year-olds.
Cheapest Iowa Health Insurance by Metal Level
Your metal tier choice affects the balance between monthly premiums and out-of-pocket costs. Bronze plans offer the lowest monthly payments but require higher cost-sharing during doctor visits. Platinum plans have higher monthly costs but minimal expenses when seeking medical care.
Oscar offers Iowa's cheapest Catastrophic coverage at $350 monthly for 40-year-olds, though this plan type carries a $10,600 deductible and suits only those seeking emergency-only protection. Wellmark Health Plan of Iowa provides Expanded Bronze at $380 with a more manageable $5,719 deductible. For those needing broader coverage, Wellmark's Gold plans cost $495 monthly.
| Catastrophic | Oscar | $350 | $4,196 | $10,600 | $10,600 |
| Expanded Bronze | Wellmark Health Plan Of Iowa, Inc. | $380 | $4,563 | $7,163 | $5,719 |
| Gold | Wellmark Health Plan Of Iowa, Inc. | $495 | $5,938 | $5,925 | $1,513 |
| Silver | Ambetter | $519 | $6,226 | $5,489 | $3,268 |
* Rates shown are the provider's average at the given metal tier for 40-year-olds.
Compare Cheap Iowa Health Insurance Plans
Check to find the most affordable health insurance options in Iowa that match your needs:
Data filtered by:
HMO
Silver
40
No
| Ambetter | Standard Silver | $505 | HMO | Silver | $5,657 | $3,100 | 40 | No |
| Wellmark Health Plan Of Iowa, Inc. | Wellmark Silver Primary Care | Unitypoint Health | $510 | HMO | Silver | $5,157 | $3,143 | 40 | No |
| Ambetter | Focused Silver | $511 | HMO | Silver | $5,321 | $3,436 | 40 | No |
| Ambetter | Standard Silver + Vision + Adult Dental | $527 | HMO | Silver | $5,657 | $3,100 | 40 | No |
| Ambetter | Focused Silver + Vision + Adult Dental | $533 | HMO | Silver | $5,321 | $3,436 | 40 | No |
| Wellmark Health Plan Of Iowa, Inc. | Wellmark Silver Traditional Hmo | $559 | HMO | Silver | $4,993 | $2,914 | 40 | No |
| Wellmark Health Plan Of Iowa, Inc. | Wellmark Standard Silver Hmo | $567 | HMO | Silver | $5,657 | $3,100 | 40 | No |
| UnitedHealthcare | Uhc Silver Value ($0 Virtual Urgent Care, $3 Tier 2 Rx, No Referrals) | $615 | HMO | Silver | $6,436 | $2,086 | 40 | No |
| UnitedHealthcare | Uhc Silver Standard (No Referrals) | $616 | HMO | Silver | $5,657 | $3,100 | 40 | No |
| UnitedHealthcare | Uhc Silver Copay Focus $0 Indiv Med Ded ($0 Virtual Urgent Care, No Referrals) | $623 | HMO | Silver | $6,271 | No Data | 40 | No |
How to Find the Cheapest Health Insurance in Iowa
Use these steps to identify affordable coverage matching health care needs and budget constraints:
- 1Choose a plan type within your budget
Your ideal type of plan and metal tier depends on your health needs and financial situation. Start by calculating what you can afford monthly for premiums. Factor in your current health status and assess your risk level based on age, lifestyle and location to determine appropriate coverage.
- 2Check if you qualify for subsidies
Subsidy eligibility for 2026 health insurance depends on your household size and income. Financial assistance is available for incomes ranging from 100% to 400% of the Federal Poverty Level. Families with lower incomes receive more substantial subsidies, while assistance decreases as earnings increase.
- 3Explore Medicare options if you qualify
Seniors should investigate Medicare and Medicaid programs, including Medicare Advantage plans and Medicare Supplement plans. These federal options often cost less than marketplace plans while offering greater flexibility in coverage decisions.
- 4Verify prescription coverage
Check each plan's formulary for medications you take regularly. Insurance companies often categorize identical drugs differently, with some placing common prescriptions in lower-cost tiers that reduce your copays substantially.
- 5Shop during Open Enrollment period
The Open Enrollment window runs November 1 through January 15 annually. You might qualify for Special Enrollment after major life changes like job loss, divorce or adding a family member. Evaluate coverage types, insurer ratings, total costs and whether your preferred doctors participate in each network.
- 6Research Iowa-specific providers
Iowa residents have access to specific insurers operating in the state marketplace. Compare local network coverage, especially if you live in rural areas where provider options may be limited. Consider telehealth benefits that can expand access to specialists regardless of your location in Iowa.
Cheapest Health Insurance in Iowa: Bottom Line
Oscar leads Iowa's affordable health insurance, followed by Wellmark Health Plan of Iowa, Inc. and Avera Health Plans. Request quotes from multiple insurers to compare how monthly premiums, deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums combine to create your total annual health care costs, which vary substantially based on doctor visit frequency and prescription medication expenses throughout the coverage year.
Cheap Iowa Health Insurance: FAQ
Below we answer questions about affordable health insurance in Iowa:
What is the cheapest health insurance in Iowa?
Oscar offers the most affordable health insurance in Iowa, with Silver plans averaging $496 monthly for 40-year-olds.
What are the downsides of a cheap health insurance plan?
Cheap health insurance plans come with high deductibles ranging from $5,000 to $8,000 annually, limited provider networks that may exclude top specialists, and higher coinsurance rates of 30-50%. You'll pay substantially more out-of-pocket when accessing medical care.
Do I qualify for subsidies on health insurance in Iowa?
Yes, you may qualify for health insurance subsidies through HealthCare.gov, Iowa's federal marketplace. Premium tax credits help reduce monthly costs for people earning 100% to 400% of the Federal Poverty Level. Enter your household income during enrollment to see available subsidies and coverage options that fit your budget.
When can I enroll in health insurance in Iowa?
You can enroll in health insurance in Iowa during Open Enrollment from November 1 to January 15. You may also qualify for Special Enrollment outside this window if you experience a qualifying life event like job loss, marriage or having a baby.
How We Decided the Cheapest Health Insurance Companies in Iowa
We gathered plan information from the federal health insurance marketplace for consumers aged 18 to 60, specifically examining costs for 18, 26, 40, 50 and 60-year-olds. Our cheapest overall rankings focus on 40-year-olds' monthly premiums because this age group is most common demographically and provides clear comparison. Age-specific rankings use their corresponding premium costs. Keep in mind that lower premiums often come with higher deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums, which could increase your costs when receiving care.
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About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer, is MoneyGeek's resident Personal Finance Expert. He has analyzed the insurance market for over five years, conducting original research for insurance shoppers. His insights have been featured in CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.
Fitzpatrick holds a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He's also a five-time Jeopardy champion!
He writes about economics and insurance, breaking down complex topics so people know what they're buying.