Ames, Iowa: health insurance
Ames is in Story County. Here is what Ames residents should know about coverage.
Medicaid is a government program that gives free or low-cost health coverage to people with limited income, such as some adults, children, pregnant women, seniors and people with disabilities. Each state runs its own Medicaid program and decides who qualifies. We are an independent insurance agency, and we cannot enroll you in Medicaid or check your Medicaid.
Iowa Medicaid: Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) · 1-800-338-8366 (Iowa Medicaid Member Services) · hhs.iowa.gov/medicaid
If your income is too high for Medicaid, or you want to compare health plans, call us. We can help with that.
Coverage in Ames
Ames has about 65,686 residents (U.S. Census Bureau 2023 estimate).
Plans for Ames residents are determined by Story County, home to about 98,566 people (2023 estimate). Medicare Advantage plans and marketplace plans are offered by area, so use your ZIP code when you compare, and make sure a plan covers Story County before you choose it.
- Turning 65 in Ames? Your Initial Enrollment Period runs seven months around your birthday. Iowa SHIIP (Senior Health Insurance Information Program) offers free counseling at 800-351-4664.
- Buying your own plan? Shop through HealthCare.gov (federal Marketplace).
- Medicaid questions? Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) handles applications.
Iowa note: SHIIP shares an office with Iowa's Senior Medicare Patrol unit, which investigates Medicare billing fraud and scams targeting older adults -- worth knowing if a call to SHIIP about plan options turns into a fraud report, since the same phone line covers both.
Medicare plans leaving Story County for 2027
Medicare plans are set by county, so this applies to residents of this city. 20 plans are listed in Story County for 2026 but not for 2027, covering at least 2,600 people.
| Plan going away | Company | People enrolled (at least) |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Medicare Advantage PPO (PPO) H5900-001 | Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Mutual Ins. | 719 |
| AARP Medicare Advantage from UHC IA-1 (HMO-POS) H5253-209 | UnitedHealthcare | 681 |
| Humana Gold Plus H0028-053 (HMO) H0028-053 | Humana | 383 |
| Aetna Medicare Signature (HMO-POS) H1609-001 | Aetna (CVS Health) | 265 |
| Aetna Medicare Signature (PPO) H1608-001 | Aetna (CVS Health) | 211 |
| Humana Full Access H5216-411 (PPO) H5216-411 | Humana | 100 |
See all 20 plans leaving Story County →
Looking for your own plan? Find your company and plan →
A plan can be listed because it was renumbered or replaced, not only because a company is leaving the county. When the same company keeps other plans there, members are usually moved to a replacement plan. Your plan should send you a notice, and Medicare’s Annual Enrollment Period (October 15 to December 7) is when you can compare and switch. “People enrolled” is the number enrolled in that plan today (CMS hides counts of 10 or fewer). Source: CMS Medicare Advantage and Part D landscape files for 2026 and 2027, and CMS enrollment data from September 2026.
Colleges and universities near Ames
Iowa public institutions include University of Iowa, Iowa State University, University of Northern Iowa. Students and employees at these schools should check their school’s student health or benefits office, because campus plans and employer plans work differently from individual coverage. More about Iowa colleges.
Do Ames and Story County have the same plans?
Plans are offered by service area, and Ames falls under Story County. A plan that serves Story County is generally the one that applies to you.
Do I have to enroll if I call?
No. A call is a conversation about your options.
Ames residents: call 855-367-1095
Call Lander LLC to go over your options. There is no cost to call or to speak with an agent, and you are never required to enroll in anything.
Call 855-367-1095 Open 8 AM-10 PM Eastern timeOther major Iowa cities
- Des Moines
- Cedar Rapids
- Davenport
- Sioux City
- Iowa City
- Ankeny
- West Des Moines
- Waterloo
- Council Bluffs
- Dubuque
- Urbandale
- Marion
Reviewed by Richard Lander, licensed insurance agent (NPN 21255551), Lander LLC. Last updated October 3, 2026. This page is educational and is not a quote, an offer of coverage, or legal or tax advice.