In Iowa, you have many options for Medicare coverage, from Original Medicare to Medicare Advantage. Here are tips for understanding your Medicare choices and preparing to enroll. If you live

in Iowa, you may be eligible for Medicare. This federal program provides health insurance for Iowans age 65 or older and some younger people with disabilities. If you’re new to Medicare,

it’s not always easy figuring out your coverage options. This article offers an introduction to Medicare Iowa, including Medicare Advantage options and how to choose a plan that’s right for

you. Medicare options in Iowa There are a few Medicare coverage options in Iowa. You can choose Original Medicare, Medicare Advantage, or other supplemental plans. ORIGINAL MEDICARE Original

such as doctor’s visits, physical exams, and flu shots. MEDICARE ADVANTAGE IN IOWA In Iowa, your other option is a Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan. These plans are offered by private

companies and are regulated by the government. They cover all the same hospital and medical services as Original Medicare, but they often include extra benefits, such as: * prescription drug

coverage * hearing, vision, or dental coverage For 2025, the following carriers sell Medicare Advantage plans in Iowa: * Aetna * Humana * MercyOne Health Plan * UnitedHealthcare * Wellcare

* Wellmark Advantage Health Plan These companies offer plans in many counties in Iowa. However, Medicare Advantage plan offerings vary by county, so enter your specific ZIP code when

searching for plans where you live. MEDICARE SUPPLEMENT PLANS IN IOWA Original Medicare doesn’t cover everything, but insurance companies offer plans to help fill the gaps. If you need help

paying for Medicare copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles, you can sign up for Medicare supplement insurance (Medigap). Many companies offer Medigap plans in Iowa. In 2025, some of the

companies providing Medigap plans throughout the state include: * AARP – UnitedHealthcare * Aetna * AFLAC * Bankers Fidelity * Cigna * Humana * State Farm * USAA IOWA MEDICARE RESOURCES

There are many helpful resources that can help you understand Medicare Iowa, including: * Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) 800-351-4664 * The Social Security

Administration 800-772-1213 Medicare enrollment in Iowa If you’re younger than age 65, you’re eligible for Medicare Iowa if: * you’ve been diagnosed with end stage renal disease (ESRD) *

you’ve been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) * you’ve been getting Social Security Disability Insurance for at least 2 years For Iowans who are turning age 65, meeting one

of the following criteria makes you eligible for Medicare: * you’re either a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident who’s been in the country for at least 5 years * you currently receive

Social Security retirement benefits or qualify for these benefits There are additional eligibility rules for Medicare Advantage plans in Iowa. To be eligible, you must live in the plan’s

service area and have Medicare parts A and B. WHEN CAN I ENROLL IN MEDICARE IOWA PLANS? If you’re eligible for Medicare, you can sign up at certain times during the year. These times

include: * INITIAL ENROLLMENT PERIOD: If you’re first eligible when you turn age 65, you can sign up during this 7-month period. It starts 3 months before the month you turn age 65 and ends

3 months after the month of your 65th birthday. * MEDICARE OPEN ENROLLMENT PERIOD: The annual open enrollment period happens between October 15 and December 7. At this time, you can join a

Medicare Advantage plan or switch to a new plan. * MEDICARE ADVANTAGE OPEN ENROLLMENT PERIOD: If you’re already in a Medicare Advantage plan, you can switch to another one between January 1

and March 31 every year. During this time, you can also switch back to Original Medicare. But you can’t go from Original Medicare to Part C during this period. Certain life events, such as

losing a job that provides you with health coverage, will trigger a special enrollment period. This gives you an opportunity to sign up for Medicare outside of the standard enrollment

periods. In some cases, you may be signed up for Medicare automatically. If you’re eligible because of a disability, you’ll get Medicare after you’ve received 24 months of Social Security

Disability Insurance. You’ll also be automatically signed up when you turn age 65 if you’re already getting Social Security retirement benefits. Tips for enrolling in Medicare in Iowa When

you’re shopping for Medicare Advantage plans, narrowing down your options can be overwhelming. To make the process easier, keep these things in mind as you shop around. * YOUR BUDGET: Before

choosing a plan, decide how much you can afford to spend. Consider not only monthly premiums but other coverage costs, such as coinsurance, copayments, and deductibles. * YOUR DOCTORS: When

you join a Medicare Advantage plan, you typically get care from doctors in the plan’s network. If you want to keep seeing your current doctors, make sure they’re in the network. * YOUR

COVERAGE NEEDS: Medicare Advantage plans may cover services that Original Medicare doesn’t, and these extra benefits vary from plan to plan. If you need specific benefits, such as dental

care or vision care, make sure your plan offers them. * YOUR HEALTH NEEDS: If you have a chronic health condition, such as cancer or an autoimmune disease, you may want to join a Special

Needs Plan. These plans tailor their services and provider networks to better suit the needs of people with specific conditions. SNAPSHOT OF MEDICARE IN IOWA The Centers for Medicare &

Medicaid Services (CMS) reported the following information on Medicare trends in Iowa for the 2025 plan year: * A total of 680,584 residents of Iowa are enrolled in Medicare. * The average

Medicare Advantage monthly premium changed in Iowa compared to last year — from $11.14 in 2024 to $13.84 in 2025. * There are 70 Medicare Advantage plans available in Iowa for 2025, compared

to 75 plans in 2024. * There are 12 different Medigap plans offered in Iowa for 2025. * All Iowa residents with Medicare can buy a Medicare Advantage plan with $0 premiums if they choose.

The takeaway More than 680,584 Iowa residents are enrolled in Medicare. Several private insurance companies offer various types of Medicare Advantage and Medigap plans throughout the state.

There are also several Medigap plan options if you live in Iowa and are looking for additional coverage.