Medicare Supplement Plans in Iowa

Medicare Supplement plans in Iowa help relieve out-of-pocket costs for you after Original Medicare covers its portion. When you buy a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan in Iowa, you protect yourself from these costs. There are 10 standardized Medicare Supplement plans in Iowa and two high deductible plans available for you to enroll in.

Each Medicare Supplement plan is identified by a letter A-N. The benefits for each letter plan are the same between carriers. This is because all Medicare Supplement plans are standardized by the federal government.

Additionally, your Medicare Supplement plan will be accepted by any physician who accepts Original Medicare regardless of the carrier you enroll in. Unlike other insurance plans you may be familiar with, Medicare Supplement plans have no networks and will never require you to have a referral when seeing a specialist.
Below we review Medicare Supplement plans in Iowa and help you decide which Medigap plan might be right for you.

Best Medicare Supplement Plans in Iowa

When it comes to the best Medicare Supplement plans in Iowa, many people think of Medicare Supplement Plan F, Plan G, and Plan N. These three plans offer the best benefits for their price point and are the three largest plans in terms of overall enrollment.

When you enroll in Medicare Supplement Plan F in Iowa, you’ll receive 100% coverage for all the costs left behind by Original Medicare. You will never pay a copayment, deductible or coinsurance for any Medicare-covered services regardless of the cost.

Unfortunately, not all Medicare enrollees in Iowa are eligible for this high-rated plan. To be eligible for Medicare Supplement Plan F, you must have been enrolled in Medicare Part A before January 1, 2020. This is the cutoff date for Medicare Supplement Plan F eligibility. If you enrolled in Original Medicare before this date, you can enroll in Medicare Supplement Plan F at any time.

Medicare Supplement Plan G in Iowa is the next most comprehensive plan on the list. Medicare Supplement Plan G only requires you to cover the Medicare Part B deductible. Once the deductible is met, you are covered at 100% for the remainder of the calendar year. This plan requires no copayments or coinsurance.

Medicare Supplement Plan N is the least comprehensive available in Iowa but also the least expensive of the three plans. When you enroll in Medicare Supplement Plan N you will pay the Medicare Part B deductible, $20 copayments at the doctor or specialist, $50 copayments at the Emergency Room (if not admitted), and excess charges if applicable by the doctor and state you receive services in.

While these charges are allowed in Iowa, they are not common. In fact, 98% of doctors who accept Medicare also accept Medicare Assignment. Medicare Assignment is the Medicare-approved cost for a service.

To avoid these charges, it is important to have a conversation with your doctor before having any major surgeries or procedures to avoid any unexpected costs.

When you enroll in Medicare Supplement during this enrollment period, you avoid the hassle of Medicare Supplement underwriting questions. This means that you cannot be denied a plan regardless of your pre-existing conditions. This applies when enrolling in Medicare Supplement plan in Iowa or other states.

You can enroll in a plan at any time in Iowa throughout the year once your Medicare Supplement Open Enrollment Period is over. However, unless you have guaranteed issue rights, you will need to go through underwriting and your policy could be denied based on your health.

Medicare Supplement Plans In Iowa for Under 65 and Disabled

Iowa does not require insurance companies to offer Medicare Supplement plans to those under age 65. But, that does not mean that these Medicare Supplement plans are not available. Some carriers in Iowa may offer Medicare Supplement plans to those on Medicare due to disability at a much higher premium rate.

An alternative to Medicare Supplement in Iowa for those on Medicare due to disability is a Medicare Part C plan (Medicare Advantage). Enrolling in Medicare Part C while you are under 65 is often more cost effective. However, once you turn 65, your rate will drop to that of a 65-year-old. At this time, you can switch to a Medicare Supplement plan with no underwriting.

Cost of Medicare Supplement Plans in Iowa

The cost of Medicare Supplement plans in Iowa depends on several factors. The earlier you enroll, the lower your premium. Your gender, ZIP Code, and tobacco-use status are also major factors that can impact your premium.

Below is an example of the premium range for a 65-year-old female and male in a highly-populated Iowa ZIP Code.

Keep in mind the chart above is just an example of the premium range and your actual costs may vary.

Additional Medicare Insurance Options in Iowa

Medicare Supplement plans in Iowa are by far the most comprehensive when it comes to networks, coverage, and cost. However, there are additional plans that can elevate your healthcare benefits.

Enrolling in a Medicare Part D plan regardless of if you have a Medicare Supplement plan is always a good idea. Enrolling in a plan will help to avoid the Medicare Part D late enrollment penalty and to receive benefits for prescription drugs.

Additionally, dental, vision, and hearing plans are available in Iowa to provide you these additional benefits that Original Medicare does not cover.

If you decide that a Medicare Supplement plan is not right for you, Iowa also offers Medicare Advantage plans to beneficiaries looking for Medicare plans with low monthly payments and higher out-of-pocket costs when you see the doctor.