(Des Moines) The Iowa Insurance Division reminds Iowans looking to purchase or change individual health insurance for the upcoming plan year that the annual Affordable Care Act (ACA) Open Enrollment period began on November 1. Consumers seeking coverage through the individual market can compare options, evaluate federal subsidies, and enroll through the federal Health Insurance Marketplace at HealthCare.gov or by calling 1-800-318-2596.
“Open enrollment is the critical window for individuals and families who do not have access to employer-sponsored insurance to secure coverage for the coming year,” said Iowa Insurance Commissioner Doug Ommen. “Even if you currently have a plan, the networks, formularies, and rates change each year. We strongly encourage all Iowans to actively review their options rather than relying on automatic renewal.”
Key Enrollment Deadlines
- November 1, 2026: Open enrollment officially opened. Applications, plan renewals, and rate comparisons are available on HealthCare.gov.
- December 15, 2026: Final day to select or change a plan for coverage taking effect January 1, 2027.
- January 15, 2027: Final day of Open Enrollment. Plans selected between December 16, 2026 and January 15, 2027 will take effect February 1, 2027.
After January 15, 2027, Iowans can only enroll or switch plans if they qualify for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) due to qualifying life events such as marriage, loss of employer coverage, loss of health coverage, birth of a child, or relocation.
- The low-income year-round SEP for households at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Level has been officially removed for plan year 2027.
What Consumers Need to Know
- Review In-Network Providers & Medications: Before finalizing plan selection, policyholders should verify that their preferred doctors, clinics, and hospitals remain in-network and that essential prescription medications remain on the plan’s formulary.
- Check Subsidy Eligibility: Financial assistance through Advance Premium Tax Credits (APTC) is available through HealthCare.gov based on projected household income. Updating household income estimates accurately is essential to ensure appropriate subsidy calculations. The only way to get the premium tax credit is through Healthcare.gov or a certified enrollment partner’s website.
- Active Re-Enrollment is Strongly Encouraged: Iowans who do not actively select a plan by the end of open enrollment may be automatically re-enrolled into their existing plan or an alternate similar plan if their prior carrier has adjusted offerings.
- Watch Out for Deceptive Marketing: Consumers should be vigilant against unsolicited marketing and scam websites posing as the official exchange. Official marketplace enrollment occurs exclusively through HealthCare.gov.
- Carrier Leaving the Marketplace: Iowans who previously held Individual plans with Medica must select a new carrier during the open enrollment period. Medica officially exits Iowa’s consumer market effective January 1, 2027.
- Use Zip Codes: Consumers should use zip code information or the Iowa county in searching for plans.
Carrier Information
Health insurers offering individual marketplace plans in the following counties for 2027:
Avera Health Plans: Clay, Dickinson, Emmet, Lyon, O’Brien, Osceola, Sioux.
Bankers Reserve: Adair, Dallas, Jasper, Madison, Marion, Polk, Warren.
Iowa Total Care (Ambetter): Adair, Allamakee, Appanoose, Audubon, Benton, Black Hawk, Boone, Buchanan, Buena Vista, Butler, Cass, Cedar, Cerro Gordo, Cherokee, Chickasaw, Clay, Clayton, Clinton, Crawford, Dallas, Davis, Decatur, Delaware, Des Moines, Dickinson, Fayette, Floyd, Franklin, Fremont, Hamilton, Hancock, Hardin, Henry, Howard, Ida, Jackson, Jasper, Jefferson, Johnson, Keokuk, Kossuth, Lee, Linn, Louisa, Madison, Mahaska, Marion, Mills, Mitchell, Monona, Monroe, Montgomery, Osceola, Page, Palo Alto, Pocahontas, Polk, Pottawattamie, Ringgold, Scott, Shelby, Sioux, Tama, Taylor, Union, Van Buren, Wapello, Warren, Washington, Wayne, Winnebago, Winneshiek, Worth.
Oscar Insurance Company: Adair, Adams, Appanoose, Audubon, Benton, Black Hawk, Boone, Bremer, Buchanan, Buena Vista, Butler, Calhoun, Carroll, Cass, Cedar, Cerro Gordo, Cherokee, Chickasaw, Clarke, Clayton, Clinton, Dallas, Decatur, Delaware, Dubuque, Fayette, Floyd, Franklin, Greene, Grundy, Guthrie, Hamilton, Hancock, Hardin, Harrison, Howard, Humboldt, Ida, Iowa, Jackson, Jasper, Jefferson, Johnson, Jones, Keokuk, Kossuth, Linn, Lucas, Madison, Mahaska, Marion, Marshall, Mills, Mitchell, Monona, Monroe, Montgomery, Palo Alto, Plymouth, Polk, Pottawattamie, Poweshiek, Ringgold, Sac, Scott, Shelby, Sioux, Story, Tama, Union, Van Buren, Wapello, Warren, Wayne, Winnebago, Woodbury, Worth, Wright.
United Healthcare Plan of the River Valley: Adair, Adams, Audubon, Cass, Clarke, Decatur, Fremont, Guthrie, Harrison, Mills, Montgomery, Page, Pottawattamie, Ringgold, Shelby, Taylor, Union.
Wellmark Health Plan of Iowa: All 99 counties in Iowa
Finding Free, Local Assistance
The Iowa Insurance Division advises consumers who have questions to work with licensed insurance agents or certified navigators.
- Find Local Help: To locate certified assisters and licensed brokers in your county, visit healthcare.gov/find-assistance.
- Inquiries: For questions regarding insurance licensing, carrier complaints, or market conduct in Iowa, contact the Iowa Insurance Division at 515-654-6600 or visit iid.iowa.gov.
Note: Medicare beneficiaries do not enroll through HealthCare.gov. Iowans eligible for Medicare can enroll through medicare.gov or by calling Medicare at 1-800-633-4227.
