Every year, there's a new crop of Medicare plans available in Iowa. Even if you like your current plan, it might change significantly for next year.
That's why NerdWallet's editorial team analyzes every Medicare plan top to bottom each year.
For 2027, there are 64 Medicare Advantage plans commercially available in Iowa. We dove deep into the data to analyze and compare every single one.
45+ Medicare companies and brands analyzed by our team of experts.
30+ years of combined experience covering Medicare and personal finance.
Governed by NerdWallet's strict guidelines for editorial integrity.
NerdWallet’s Medicare content, including articles, reviews and recommendations, is produced by a team of writers and editors who specialize in Medicare. Their work has appeared in The Associated Press, Washington Post, Nasdaq, MSN, MarketWatch, Yahoo! Finance and other national and regional media outlets. They have been cited in publications including Healthline, and appeared on NerdWallet's "Smart Money" podcast.
Compare the best Medicare Advantage plans in Iowa
Insurance company | NerdWallet rating | $0 plan availability | Members in high-quality plans | Member experience | Learn more |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BEST MAJOR COMPANY | |||||
 (855) 432-0512 / TTY 711 M-F 9AM-9PM, Sat 10AM-6PM ETSpeak to a licensed insurance agent on askchapter.orgon NerdWallet | 4.6/5 | 80% (Above average) | High (85% to 100%) | 3.86 (Above average) | (855) 432-0512 / TTY 711 M-F 9AM-9PM, Sat 10AM-6PM ETSpeak to a licensed insurance agent on askchapter.orgon NerdWallet |
 (855) 432-0512 / TTY 711 M-F 9AM-9PM, Sat 10AM-6PM ETSpeak to a licensed insurance agent on askchapter.orgon NerdWallet | 3.8/5 | 69% (Average) | Medium (50% to 84%) | 3.04 (Below average) | (855) 432-0512 / TTY 711 M-F 9AM-9PM, Sat 10AM-6PM ETSpeak to a licensed insurance agent on askchapter.orgon NerdWallet |
BEST FOR BRAND-NAME PRESCRIPTION DRUGS | |||||
 (855) 432-0512 / TTY 711 M-F 9AM-9PM, Sat 10AM-6PM ETSpeak to a licensed insurance agent on askchapter.orgon NerdWallet | 4.2/5 | 78% (Above average) | Medium (50% to 84%) | 3.4 (Average) | (855) 432-0512 / TTY 711 M-F 9AM-9PM, Sat 10AM-6PM ETSpeak to a licensed insurance agent on askchapter.orgon NerdWallet |
 (855) 432-0512 / TTY 711 M-F 9AM-9PM, Sat 10AM-6PM ETSpeak to a licensed insurance agent on askchapter.orgon NerdWallet | 3.8/5 | 98% (Above average) | Medium (50% to 84%) | 3.97 (Above average) | (855) 432-0512 / TTY 711 M-F 9AM-9PM, Sat 10AM-6PM ETSpeak to a licensed insurance agent on askchapter.orgon NerdWallet |
NerdWallet's picks in Iowa
We analyzed every Medicare Advantage plan sold in Iowa to find the best based on premiums, prescription drug coverage, costs for medical care, quality ratings, customer satisfaction and more.
These companies had plans that came out on top of our state-specific analysis:
AARP.
Gundersen Quartz.
MercyOne.
Here's every Medicare Advantage plan in Iowa that includes prescription drug coverage and earned at least 4 out of 5 stars on our scoring system. Plans are listed in order of NerdWallet's star rating, starting with the highest-rated plans.
Standard plans
Aetna Medicare Signature Classic (PPO).
Gundersen Quartz Med Advantage Basic D (w/Rx) (HMO).
Humana Gold Plus H0028-053 (HMO).
MercyOne Health Plan No Premium (HMO).
HumanaChoice Giveback H5216-340 (PPO).
MercyOne Health Plan Cash Back (HMO).
Special needs plans
Aetna Medicare Dual Care (HMO D-SNP).
» MORE: Best Medicare Advantage plans
What to know about Medicare Advantage in Iowa
More than 700,000 people in Iowa are signed up for Medicare.
The average monthly premium in 2027 for a Medicare Advantage plan in Iowa is $11.21. (In 2026, it was $13.20.)
There are 64 Medicare Advantage plans available in Iowa in 2027. (In 2026, there were 63.)
100% of Medicare-eligible people in Iowa have access to a $0-premium Medicare Advantage plan.
Medicare is the federal health insurance program for people 65 and older. Medicare Advantage, sold by private insurance companies, is a bundled alternative to Medicare that offers the same benefits and usually some extras, such as cost help with dental and vision coverage.
Medicare Advantage plans offer more benefits than Original Medicare plans, and they're often cheaper than paying for Medicare and a Medicare Supplement Insurance plan, or Medigap. However, they offer less flexibility because you’ll need to get care from within the plan’s network of providers. Weigh your options to determine what plan best suits your needs.
Medicare resources in Iowa
Iowa Insurance Division: For questions about insurance you’ve bought or insurance provided by an employer.
Iowa Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP): For free guidance or answers about Medicare coverage or eligibility.
Iowa Medicaid Program: For questions about Medicaid eligibility or benefits.
How to choose a Medicare Advantage plan
It’s crucial to ask a few questions as you’re shopping for the right plan. Here’s a quick checklist to help you consider your options:
How much are the plan’s costs? Do you understand what the plan’s premium, deductibles, copays and/or coinsurance will be? Can you afford them?
Is your doctor in-network? If you have a preferred doctor (or doctors) or hospital, make sure they participate in the plan’s network.
Are your prescriptions covered? If you’re on medication, understand how the plan covers it. What tier are your prescription drugs on, and are there any coverage rules that apply to them?
Is there dental coverage? Does the plan offer routine coverage for vision, dental and hearing needs?
Are there extras? Does the plan offer any additional perks, such as fitness memberships, transportation benefits or meal delivery?
You can use Medicare’s plan finding tool to compare plans in your area.
If you have additional questions about Medicare, visit Medicare.gov or call 800-MEDICARE (800-633-4227, TTY 877-486-2048).
NerdWallet writers are subject matter authorities who use primary, trustworthy sources to inform their work, including peer-reviewed studies, government websites, academic research and interviews with industry experts. All content is fact-checked for accuracy, timeliness and relevance. You can learn more about NerdWallet's high standards for journalism by reading our editorial guidelines.
- 1.Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Fact Sheet. Accessed Oct 26, 2026.
Medicare Advantage review methodology
NerdWallet’s Medicare Advantage ratings are based on premiums, out-of-pocket costs, prescription drug coverage, quality data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, consumer experience and more. We analyze and calculate ratings for every Medicare Advantage plan sold throughout the U.S. on a curved 5-point scale.
At the national level, we calculate ratings for companies as the average of their plans’ scores, weighted by enrollment.
NerdWallet’s editorial team analyzed companies covering about 87% of all Medicare Advantage beneficiaries in the United States. We reviewed 23 Medicare Advantage brands, with some insurance companies having more than one brand under their umbrella. (For example, Blue Cross Blue Shield includes the brands Anthem and Highmark.)
The Medicare Advantage marketplace is concentrated among just a handful of companies. In many places, one company serves more than half of the market. At the national level, NerdWallet’s reviews include each of the 10 largest brands by enrollment.
We research and analyze all commercial Medicare Advantage plans and publish reviews for selected companies. At the state level, we review at least one major insurer in every state where Medicare Advantage plans are sold, and we review both of the top two insurers in 40 of those 49 states. (Alaska doesn't offer Medicare Advantage plans.) We also look at online search volume to identify regional and other notable players in the space.
These reviews are a guide, but we encourage you to shop around and compare several plans to find the best coverage and rate for you. NerdWallet does not receive compensation for any reviews. Read our editorial guidelines and full ratings methodology for Medicare Advantage.
This roundup includes only insurers that sell Medicare Advantage in Iowa.