Medicare Supplement (Medigap) Policies

Iowa does not mandate insurers to provide Medicare Supplement policies to any class of adults.

Mini-COBRA Policies (Small Group)

Iowa mandates small employer continuation coverage for nine months although group employers are allowed to drop some benefits (e.g. dental, vision)

Medicare Savings Program (Premium Support)

Iowa has three Medicare Savings Programs:

Qualified Medicare Beneficiaries: For individuals with a monthly income under $903 and for couples with a monthly income under $1215, the state pays all premiums for Part B and all Co-Pays and Deductibles for Medicare Part A & Part B.
Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiaries: For individuals with income under $1083 or couples with income under $1457, the state pays premiums for Part B
Qualified Individuals: For individuals with income under $1219 or for couples with an income under $1640, the state pays premiums for Part B

To qualify for any one of these programs, participants must have assets below $6600 or be part of a couple with assets below $9910.

State Disability Insurance Program
Iowa State Disability Insurance provides monthly payments to workers who can't perform their occupation due to disability. For more information, please see:
http://benefits.iowa.gov/ltdinsurance.html#eligible

High-Risk Pool
The Iowa Comprehensive Health Association provides insurance to Iowa residents on the basis of HPAA and HCTC eligibility.

https://www.hipiowa.com/Default.asp

State SHIP Department
The Iowa Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) operates as part of the the Iowa Insurance Division in the Department of Commerce. SHIIP has operations around the the state, providing face-to-face counseling in 84 of 99 counties. SHIIP has an Internet website and a toll-free consumer hotline with counselors more than capable of answering your specific questions about Medicare.

http://www.therightcalliowa.gov/

Low-Income Subsidy (“extra-help”) for Prescription Drugs
This program is a subsidy for Part D recipients with resources under $13,070 (or $26,120 for a couple) to receive money towards a Medicare prescription drug plan. The benchmark of support is different depending on which region of the country you live in. In Indiana in 2012, the low-income subsidy was $36.02 per month.

If you live in Iowa, and you are interested in getting a Medicare Plan, please contact the Medicare experts at eAmeriFamily Insurance. They are industry veterans and will guide you through the process of getting the right Medicare, Medicare Advantage, MediGap Plan for you.