In Des Moines, Iowa, there are 202,958 Medicare beneficiaries. Only 24% of these beneficiaries have a Medicare Advantage plan. So that more people know about the benefits of these plans, we will look deeper into them.
Supplemental Medicare plans in Des Moines, IA
Iowa Supplemental Medicare plans support Part A and B plans nicely. They cover any costs that your regular Medicare plan won’t cover. We based the following Medicare Advantage quotes on a 70-year-old male living in Des Moines, Iowa.
Affordable Medicare Advantage plans in Des Moines, IA
Under 50,000 people have an Iowa Medicare Advantage plan in Des Moines. It may sound like a lot, but this is a meager number compared to the 200,000+ that use Part A & B Medicare. For the remaining 75% who need to sign up for Medicare Advantage, ten plans are available in Des Moines County.
Aetna is one of the top plans in the nation. It has a $0 monthly premium, and a maximum out-of-pocket cost (MOOP) of $4,300, and Medicare gives this Local PPO plan a 4-star rating.
Another one of the top plans in the US is from UnitedHealthcare. This plan has a $0 premium and a slightly lower MOOP of $3,900. It’s an HMO plan with a 4-star rating.
Medigold has an even lower MOOP of $3,500. It also has a $0 monthly premium and a 4-star rating. Medigold is an HMO plan. It covers various medical devices, including hearing aids and eyeglasses.
Medicare Advantage plans benefits and costs can vary depending on the service area and the plan you select.
| PLAN | PREMIUM | MOOP | Plan Type | Star Rating |
| Aetna | $0 | $4,300 | LOCAL PPO | 4 |
| Humana | $0 | $3,850 | HMO | 4 |
| UnitedHealthcare | $0 | $3,900 | LOCAL PPO | 4 |
| Wellmark | $0 | $3,900 | LOCAL PPO | N/A |
| Medigold | $0 | $3,500 | HMO | 4 |
Average Medicare Supplement plans in Des Moines, IA
Original Medicare in Iowa won’t cover all the costs of your healthcare. A Medigap insurance plan will cover those additional charges. Though the benefits of these plans are the same throughout the country, the rates vary by region and county.
Plan G is one of the nation’s three most popular Medicare Supplement insurance plans and offers coverage for everything except for the Part B deductible. This plan has relatively high monthly premiums, ranging from $106.92 to $386.35.
Plan N is an excellent alternative to Plan G because it has much lower premiums. These premiums range from $81.96 to $290.87. This plan covers the same things as Plan G, except it doesn’t cover the Part B excess charges.
Plan K is one of the cheapest plans because of the even lower premiums. These premiums range from $52.77 to $130 monthly. It covers 50% of things like Part B copay, Blood, Part A copay, Part A deductible, and nursing care coinsurance, but 100% of most other things.
| LETTER PLAN | LOWEST PREMIUM | HIGHEST PREMIUM |
| PLAN A | $104.36 | $411.37 |
| PLAN B | $130.83 | $335.12 |
| PLAN C | $150.76 | $411.62 |
| PLAN D | $118.58 | $286.77 |
| PLAN F | $128.36 | $413.88 |
| PLAN HDF | $38.51 | $142.70 |
| PLAN G | $106.92 | $386.35 |
| PLAN HDG | $36.58 | $99.80 |
| PLAN K | $52.77 | $130.00 |
| PLAN L | $73.33 | $268.58 |
| PLAN M | $107.31 | $301.95 |
| PLAN N | $81.96 | $290.87 |
Cheapest Medicare Part D prescription drug plans
Iowa Part D provides prescription drug plans since Original Medicare coverage, and Medigap health insurance doesn’t. They help those with limited incomes afford expensive medications and are entirely separate from Medicare Part A, Part B, or Advantage plans.
Clear Spring has a higher premium of $16.60 and a deductible of $480. This plan has a low 2-star rating, and it covers over-the-counter costs as well.
Wellcare has a lower monthly premium of $10.60 and a higher 3-star rating from Medicare. The deductible for this plan is also $480. Its Over-The-Counter benefit allows you to purchase many medical supplies through insurance.
Aetna is the cheapest plan, with a $6.80 monthly premium. This 3-star plan has the usual deductible of $480. If your income is over a certain amount, there may be extra charges.
| PLAN | PREMIUM | DEDUCTIBLE | STAR RATING |
| Aetna | $6.80 | $480 | 3 |
| Wellcare | $10.60 | $480 | 3 |
| Clear Spring | $16.60 | $480 | 2 |
| Humana | $22.70 | $480 | 4 |
| UnitedHealthcare | $29.30 | $310 | 4 |
Medicare Special Needs plans
The Special Needs Plans (SNPs) offered by Medicare are a distinct type of Medicare Advantage plan sold in Des Moines, Iowa. They are available to people with special needs, disabilities, or chronic illnesses.
Humana has a plan in the area with a $0 monthly premium. Its maximum out-of-pocket cost (MOOP) of $3,450, and a Local PPO plan with dual eligibility. Dual eligibility is available to anyone who qualifies for both Medicare and Medicaid.
Aetna also has a plan in the area with a $0 premium. The MOOP of this plan is much higher at $7,550, and this HMO plan is also open to Medicare and Medicaid-qualifying individuals.
UnitedHealthcare is another SNP in the area. It has a monthly premium of $38.90, significantly higher than the others, and its MOOP is $1,800 for the year, which is lower than Humana or Aetna. This Local PPO plan is only available to those in an institution or nursing home.
| PLAN | PREMIUM | MOOP | Plan Type | Eligibility |
| Humana | $0 | $3,450 | LOCAL PPO | Dual |
| Amerigroup Iowa | $0 | $7,550 | HMO | Dual |
| Aetna | $0 | $7,550 | HMO | Dual |
| UnitedHealthcare | $38.90 | $1,800 | LOCAL PPO | Institutional |
FAQs
Where do I sign up for Medicare in Des Moines, IA?
You can apply online, in person, or in some cases, over the phone for Medicare. Enrollment is completed through the Social Security Administration. To sign up online, visit the Social Security website.
Some Medicare beneficiaries will be enrolled automatically in the federal Medicare program. For these individuals, you can signup for a Medicare Supplement plan during your Open Enrollment Period. The OEP starts six months before you turn 65 with most insurance carriers.
What are the income requirements for Medicare in Des Moines, Iowa?
It’s $164.90 monthly for the majority of Medicare beneficiaries. For beneficiaries that are higher earners, an Income Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA) will apply.
What are the four types of Medicare Advantage plans in Des Moines, IA?
Medicare Advantage plans come in 4 types:
- Health Maintenance Organization (HMO)
- Preferred Provider Organization (PPO)
- Private-Fee-For-Service (PFFS)
- Health Maintenance Organization-Point of Service (HMO-POS)
Do Medigap premiums increase with age in Des Moines, IA?
Most insurance companies that provide Medicare Supplement insurance in Des Moines use attained age ratings. This means that your premium depends on your age and will increase as you age.
Do Medigap plans in Des Moines cover drugs?
No. Medigap plans don’t cover prescriptions. Consider adding a Part D plan that provides prescription drug coverage.
Can I keep my doctor if I sign up for a Medicare Advantage plan?
The depends. HMO plans require you to use in-network providers. If your doctor takes the Medicare Advantage plan, you can keep him. If it’s a PPO plan, you can still see your doctor, but if he’s not in the network, you may pay a higher cost to see them.
Do I still pay the Medicare Part B premium when I enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan?
Yes, regardless of which supplemental Medicare insurance you select, you’re still responsible for the Medicare Part B premium. If your income is below a certain level, you may qualify for a Medicare Savings Program to assist with the Medicare premiums.
How to sign up for Supplemental Medicare plans in Des Moines, Iowa
Supplemental Medicare is a great way to get health coverage without paying for a full-blown healthcare plan.
In Des Moines, Iowa, and across the United States, our licensed insurance agents work with all the notable insurance companies free of charge so that you can find the best supplemental Medicare health plan for your budget.
Please give us a call today. Or fill out our online rate form today to get started!
