Iowa health insurance plans
How individual and family health coverage works in Iowa, in plain language.
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.
ACA Open Enrollment opens November 1st
Open enrollment starts November 1st. Not sure which Iowa plan is right for you? Call and we'll help you find it.
Where Iowa residents shop
Iowa residents who buy their own coverage shop on HealthCare.gov (federal Marketplace) at www.healthcare.gov/iowa/. That is also where income-based help with monthly premiums (premium tax credits) is applied. Enrollment follows the federal HealthCare.gov calendar.
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.
Enrolling
Open enrollment dates are set by the marketplace and can change from year to year, so confirm this year’s window on the marketplace site before you plan around it. Outside open enrollment you generally need a qualifying life event, such as losing other coverage, moving, or a change in household size.
What affects the plans you see
- Where you live. Plans and premiums are set by area within Iowa, so your county matters. Find your county.
- Income and household size. These determine help with premiums and whether you may qualify for Medicaid instead.
- Plan level. Metal levels (Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum) trade a lower monthly premium against higher costs when you use care.
Start a new Medicaid application or report a change in circumstances through the Iowa HHS Benefits Portal -- Iowa Health and Human Services is the agency behind it.
There's no Iowa-built ACA exchange, so plan comparisons and subsidy eligibility for Iowa residents are handled entirely on HealthCare.gov.
Iowa seniors can reach SHIIP (Senior Health Insurance Information Program) at 800-351-4664 for no-cost, unbiased Medicare guidance -- a state program distinct from Iowa Health Insurance's own free phone line.
Questions
Where do I shop for ACA health plans in Iowa?
Iowa residents shop through HealthCare.gov (federal Marketplace) (https://www.healthcare.gov/iowa/). An independent agent such as Lander LLC can explain the plans for you, but the marketplace is the only place premium tax credits are applied.
How do I apply for Medicaid in Iowa?
Medicaid in Iowa is run through Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) (https://hhs.iowa.gov/medicaid). Eligibility depends on income, household size and other factors, and it is decided by the state, not by an insurance agency.
Who regulates insurance in Iowa?
Iowa Insurance Division (https://iid.iowa.gov) regulates insurance companies and agents in Iowa. You can use it to check that an agent or company is licensed and to file a complaint.
Is there free, unbiased Medicare help in Iowa?
Yes. Iowa SHIIP (Senior Health Insurance Information Program) (800-351-4664) offers free Medicare counseling through the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), separate from any insurance agency.
Does Iowa Health Insurance cost anything to use?
There is no cost to call or to speak with an agent. Insurance premiums and plan costs are set by the insurance companies and are separate from our help.
Questions about Iowa health plans? 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 timeReviewed 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.