Medicare Special Needs Plans in Iowa
Every Special Needs Plan in Iowa for 2027, from the CMS plan landscape file. You can join one only if you fit its group: Medicare and Medicaid (D-SNP), a qualifying chronic condition (C-SNP) or nursing-home-level care (I-SNP). Pick your county to see the plans sold there.
Showing all 23 plans.
D-SNPs: Medicare and Medicaid
Sorted by CMS star rating, then by how closely the plan is integrated with Iowa Medicaid, then by worst-case year. If Medicaid or the QMB program pays your Medicare cost sharing, the out-of-pocket maximum matters less than the network and how well the plan works with Medicaid.
| # | Plan | Premium / month | In-network max out-of-pocket | Worst-case year | Stars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aetna Medicare Dual Care (HMO D-SNP)Aetna Medicare · HMO D-SNPCoordination-only · $0 Medicare cost sharing20 of 99 counties | $0 | $9,850 | $9,850 | 4★ |
| 2 | HumanaChoice SNP-DE H5216-268 (PPO D-SNP)Humana · PPO D-SNPCoordination-only · $0 Medicare cost sharing42 of 99 counties | $0 | $9,850 | $9,850 | 4★ |
| 3 | Wellpoint Full Dual Advantage (HMO-POS D-SNP)Wellpoint · HMO-POS D-SNPHighly integrated (HIDE) · $0 Medicare cost sharingAll 99 counties | $12 | $9,850 | $9,994 | 3.5★ |
| 4 | UHC Dual Complete IA-S001 (HMO-POS D-SNP)UnitedHealthcare · HMO-POS D-SNPCoordination-only · $0 Medicare cost sharing82 of 99 counties | $24.60 | $9,850 | $10,145 | 3.5★ |
| 5 | Wellcare Iowa Total Care Dual Liberty Sync (HMO-POS D-SNP)Wellcare · HMO-POS D-SNPHighly integrated (HIDE) · $0 Medicare cost sharing76 of 99 counties | $0 | $9,850 | $9,850 | 2.5★ |
| 6 | Wellcare Iowa Total Care Dual Reserve (HMO-POS D-SNP)Wellcare · HMO-POS D-SNPCoordination-only76 of 99 counties | $0 | $7,100 | $7,100 | 2.5★ |
| 7 | Wellcare Iowa Total Care Dual Access (HMO-POS D-SNP)Wellcare · HMO-POS D-SNPCoordination-only · $0 Medicare cost sharing76 of 99 counties | $24.60 | $9,850 | $10,145 | 2.5★ |
| 8 | Molina Medicare Complete Care (HMO D-SNP)Molina Healthcare of Iowa, Inc. · HMO D-SNPHighly integrated (HIDE) · $0 Medicare cost sharing3 of 99 counties | $0.50 | $9,850 | $9,856 | Too new to rate |
| 9 | Molina Medicare Complete Care (HMO D-SNP)Molina Healthcare of Iowa, Inc. · HMO D-SNPHighly integrated (HIDE) · $0 Medicare cost sharing90 of 99 counties | $0.60 | $9,850 | $9,857 | Too new to rate |
C-SNPs: chronic conditions
Sorted by worst-case year: 12 months of premiums plus the in-network out-of-pocket maximum. Each plan lists the conditions it serves; you need one of them, confirmed by your doctor or another clinician, to join.
| # | Plan | Premium / month | In-network max out-of-pocket | Worst-case year | Stars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | DEVOTED C-SNP GIVEBACK EXTRAS 063 IA (HMO C-SNP)Devoted Health · HMO C-SNPCardiovascular disorders, Chronic heart failure, Diabetes47 of 99 counties | $0 | $5,900 | $5,900 | 4.5★ |
| 2 | UHC Complete Care IA-5 (HMO-POS C-SNP)UnitedHealthcare · HMO-POS C-SNPCardiovascular disorders, Chronic heart failure, Diabetes7 of 99 counties | $29 | $5,900 | $6,248 | 4★ |
| 3 | Aetna Medicare Chronic Care (HMO C-SNP)Aetna Medicare · HMO C-SNPCardiovascular disorders, Chronic heart failure, Diabetes11 of 99 counties | $0 | $6,750 | $6,750 | 4★ |
| 4 | UHC Complete Care IA-5 (HMO-POS C-SNP)UnitedHealthcare · HMO-POS C-SNPCardiovascular disorders, Chronic heart failure, Diabetes47 of 99 counties | $28 | $7,150 | $7,486 | 4★ |
| 5 | Aetna Medicare Chronic Care Total (HMO C-SNP)Aetna Medicare · HMO C-SNPCardiovascular disorders, Chronic heart failure, Diabetes11 of 99 counties | $0 | $9,850 | $9,850 | 4★ |
| 6 | DEVOTED C-SNP PLUS 036 IA (HMO C-SNP)Devoted Health · HMO C-SNPCardiovascular disorders, Chronic heart failure, Diabetes47 of 99 counties | $0 | $9,850 | $9,850 | 4.5★ |
| 7 | UHC Complete Care Support IA-1A (HMO C-SNP)UnitedHealthcare · HMO C-SNPCardiovascular disorders, Chronic heart failure, Diabetes54 of 99 counties | $0 | $9,850 | $9,850 | 4★ |
I-SNPs: institutional care
For people who live, or are expected to live, at least 90 days in a nursing home or similar facility, or who need that level of care at home. Sorted by worst-case year.
| # | Plan | Premium / month | In-network max out-of-pocket | Worst-case year | Stars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Premier (HMO I-SNP)Align Senior Care · HMO I-SNPFacility-based41 of 99 counties | $0 | $4,500 | $4,500 | Too new to rate |
| 2 | Great Plain Medicare Advantage Gold (HMO I-SNP)Great Plains Medicare Advantage · HMO I-SNPHybrid (at home or in a facility)8 of 99 counties | $106 | $3,750 | $5,022 | Not rated |
| 3 | Humana Together in Health (PPO I-SNP)Humana · PPO I-SNPHybrid (at home or in a facility)87 of 99 counties | $0 | $9,850 | $9,850 | 4.5★ |
| 4 | Great Plains Medicare Advantage (HMO I-SNP)Great Plains Medicare Advantage · HMO I-SNPHybrid (at home or in a facility)8 of 99 counties | $5 | $9,850 | $9,910 | Not rated |
| 5 | Iowa Health Advantage (HMO I-SNP)Iowa Health Advantage · HMO I-SNPHybrid (at home or in a facility)92 of 99 counties | $24.60 | $9,850 | $10,145 | 4.5★ |
| 6 | Iowa Health Advantage Choice (HMO I-SNP)Iowa Health Advantage · HMO I-SNPHybrid (at home or in a facility)92 of 99 counties | $24.60 | $9,850 | $10,145 | 4.5★ |
| 7 | Senior Care (HMO I-SNP)Align Senior Care · HMO I-SNPFacility-based41 of 99 counties | $24.60 | $9,850 | $10,145 | Too new to rate |
Worst-case year = 12 × monthly plan premium + in-network maximum out-of-pocket, for covered Part A and B services. Many D-SNP members pay $0 in premiums with Extra Help. Star ratings are CMS’s 2027 overall ratings for the contract behind each plan. Plans under CMS sanction aren’t listed. How we sort
Before you enroll: check the plan’s network and drug list in the official Medicare Plan Finder, and ask the plan whether you qualify. Free one-on-one help: your State Health Insurance Assistance Program.
Questions
How many Special Needs Plans are in Iowa for 2027?
CMS lists 23: 9 D-SNPs (Medicare and Medicaid), 7 C-SNPs (chronic conditions) and 7 I-SNPs (institutional), from 10 parent companies. Not every plan is sold in every county; use the county filter.
Which D-SNPs in Iowa are integrated with Medicaid?
4 of the 9 D-SNPs are fully integrated, highly integrated or applicable integrated plans, which cover or coordinate Medicaid benefits more closely. The rest are coordination-only plans. Integrated plans are listed first among plans with the same star rating.
Do Special Needs Plans include drug coverage?
Yes. Every Special Needs Plan must include Part D drug coverage.
Can I stay in a Special Needs Plan if I no longer qualify?
Only while you still meet the plan's rules. If you lose eligibility, you may get a Special Enrollment Period to join another plan.
Sources
- CMS, CY 2027 Medicare Advantage and Prescription Drug Plan Landscape (CY2027_Landscape_202609.csv), Special Needs Plan rows — cms.gov; star ratings from the CMS 2027 Star Ratings Data Tables — cms.gov.
- Medicare.gov, “Special Needs Plans” — medicare.gov.
Educational information, not a recommendation to join any plan. We are not an insurance agent or broker, and we are not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program. Plan details can change; confirm with the plan or Medicare.gov. · Advertiser disclosure
Keep going
- How Special Needs Plans work →
- General Medicare Advantage plans in Iowa →
- Medicare Savings Programs →
- Extra Help with drug costs →
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