Best Medicare Supplement Plans in Iowa
Aetna and Mutual of Omaha offer the best Medicare Supplement plans in Iowa.
Plan G with Aetna provides the most comprehensive coverage with the best rates. Mutual of Omaha’s Plan N is a solid runner-up for a lower-cost option.
Key features that stand out for both companies are household discounts, affordable monthly premiums, and high customer satisfaction rates. Aetna also offers a stand-alone dental, vision, and hearing policy that can be obtained for an additional premium.
In Iowa, over 303,612 residents are enrolled in a Medicare Supplement plan. Notably, 33% of the population is enrolled in Medigap Plan G, while only 3% have opted for Plan N.
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Aetna Plan G
$135.78 per month (average)
Plan Highlights:
Plan G effectively covers the gaps that Original Medicare leaves, such as copays, deductibles, and coinsurance.
In Iowa, the number of individuals enrolled in Plan G exceeds 99,961, showcasing its popularity and value.
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Mutual of Omaha Plan N
$97.97 per month (average)
Plan Highlights:
Plan N distinguishes itself by providing copays for both office visits and ER visits, making it the primary driver for lower premiums compared to Plan G.
Notably, in the state of Iowa, the enrollment for Plan N surpasses an impressive count of 9,447 individuals.
When researching the best Medicare Supplement plans in Iowa, we focused on two main factors: plan options that are budget-friendly and plans offered by insurance companies with solid long-term financial strength.
You may often see new, “no-name” insurance companies enter the market and boast lower rates; however, these initial lower rates often increase significantly after the first year. For this reason, we recommend considering only the brands you know and trust.
What Is the Best Medicare Supplement Company in Iowa?
The overall best Medigap provider in Iowa is Aetna. At a glance, Aetna Medigap plans are usually the lower-cost options in Iowa, which is one of the reasons they are the most popular in our review.
However, there are other factors to consider, such as which plan letter suits your healthcare needs. Let’s start by clarifying the difference between plans, letters, companies, etc.
- Medigap coverage is standardized by plan letter; generally, Plans A through N are offered in most states (with some exceptions). There may also be a high deductible Medigap option in some areas.
- Private insurance companies work with Medicare to offer this standard selection of plan letters to healthcare consumers. This means that the plan benefits you get for Plan G with Aetna will be the same as your plan benefits for Plan G with Mutual of Omaha.
- However, these companies may offer different rates for Plan G based on their criteria for coverage. Therefore, the best Medicare Supplement company for you may depend on the plan letter you’re considering.
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How to Decide?
- Narrow down which plan letter offers the coverage you need based on health status and budget.
- Be sure you are comparing apples to apples when considering plan rates; a lower rate may translate to less coverage, which can be disastrous to discover down the road.
Here is a breakdown of the top Medigap insurance carriers in the state of Iowa for broad comparison:
| Company | Market Share | Plan G Cost | Plan N Cost | Cost by County | Financial Strength |
| Aetna (CVS Group) | 9.65% | $135.78 | $96.63 | Polk | A+ |
| Mutual of Omaha Group | 6.37% | $128.12 | $88.83 | Linn | A |
| UnitedHealth Group | 5.35% | $130.13 | $117.35 | Scott | A- |
| Cigna Health Group | 1.99% | $158.85 | $103.68 | Johnson | A |
Now let’s take a closer look at the two plans that generally offer the richest coverage for consumers in Iowa and the companies that deliver the most competitive rates for those plans.
Best Plan G Rates: Aetna
65: $117.95
70: $125.28
75: $147.19
65: $135.78
70: $144.11
75: $169.35
- Plans offered: A, B, C, D, F, G, N
- Most popular plan: G
- AM best rating: A
- Medicare coinsurance & copayments
- Part A deductible
- Foreign travel emergency medical expenses
- Part B excess charges
- Hospice care coinsurance and copayments
- Skilled nursing facility care coinsurance
- Access to the fitness program Attain by Aetna
Best Plan N Rates: Mutual of Omaha
65: $85.19
70: $94.39
75: $111.99
65: $97.97
70: $108.55
75: $128.78
- Plans offered: A, B, C, D, F, G, N
- Most popular plan: G
- AM Best Rating: A+
- Medicare coinsurance & copayments
- Part A deductible
- Foreign travel emergency medical expenses
- Hospice care coinsurance and copayments
- Skilled nursing facility care coinsurance
- Access to the fitness program Mutually Well
Note: Most plans have no networks, so you can see any medical provider or doctor who accepts Medicare.
How Much Does a Medigap Plan Cost in Iowa?
An Iowa Medicare Supplement plan’s average cost can range from $78 to $305 per month. Your age and plan choice will have a significant impact on your premium.
| Medigap Plan | Monthly Cost | Cost by County | Enrollment in Iowa | ||
| Plan F | $148.61 | Black Hawk | 61% | ||
| Plan G | $130.13 | Dallas | 33% | ||
| Plan N | $96.63 | Woodbury | 3% | ||
| High Deductible G | $46.13 | Story | 1.5% | ||
| Plan A | $93.01 | Dubuque | 0.30% | ||
| Plan K | $47.91 | Pottawattamie | -1% | ||
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Did You Know?
In Iowa, tobacco rates do not apply during the Open Enrollment period or in guaranteed issue situations. These circumstances allow individuals to obtain health insurance without being denied coverage or charged higher premiums due to tobacco use.
Why Do People Choose Medigap Over Medicare Advantage?
People often choose Medigap over Medicare Advantage due to the broader coverage that Medigap plans offer. These plans cover out-of-pocket costs not covered by Original Medicare, such as deductibles, co-payments, and foreign travel emergencies.
Further, Medigap plans do not require referrals to see specialists and offer the flexibility to choose doctors, specialists, and hospitals that accept Medicare, which is often a more comprehensive range than those within a Medicare Advantage network.
Lastly, Medigap plan benefits never change, whereas Medicare Advantage benefits can change annually. Thus, the enhanced coverage and greater flexibility make Medigap a more attractive choice for many individuals.
The Bottom Line
- Aetna Medigap insurance plans are outstanding, providing low rates and household discounts in most states.
- Mutual of Omaha boasts excellent value and longevity. They also do a great job with their quick enrollment process and are known to pay their claims on time.
- Our Aetna and Mutual of Omaha clients often remain enrolled for many years, making them our top two choices for Medigap coverage in Iowa.
Aetna & Mutual of Omaha are both great insurance companies, but everyone’s situation differs. Understanding your overall needs and eligibility status regarding supplemental coverage is critical.
So here’s how we help you decide:
- First, we determine if you are brand new to Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B. If yes, this will eliminate medical underwriting, which can vary by company.
- Next, we determine your location, age, and smoker status – this will guide us to the lowest-priced company.
- Lastly, we look at your budget, which helps us determine which company will be the most affordable without sacrificing coverage.
Article Sources: Iowa Medigap Guide | Plan Cost | Aetna | Mutual of Omaha | Iowa AHIP
Frequently Asked Questions
- When is the best time to enroll in a Medigap plan?
- Is there a Medicare Supplement plan that covers everything?
- What companies sell Medigap plans in Iowa?
