Des Moines, Iowa – Open enrollment for Iowans looking to purchase or change their Affordable Care Act (ACA) individual health coverage for 2025 begins Friday, November 1, 2024 and ends on Wednesday, January 15, 2025.
“Now is the time for Iowans to be thinking about health insurance coverage for next year. Many employers are offering health insurance coverage to their employees, but Iowans looking to purchase their own coverage through the individual market, need to assess their upcoming health care needs now as the open enrollment through healthcare.gov approaches," Iowa Insurance Commissioner Doug Ommen said.
"It is important for all Iowans to have health insurance coverage and Iowans considering individual plans should talk with a licensed insurance agent to thoroughly research all coverage options to determine the best plan for themselves and their family’s health needs and budget," Ommen added.
Iowans can begin previewing sample premium amounts for individual ACA-compliant health insurance plans viewing the Sample 2025 Iowa Individual ACA Premiums Explorer. To view premium information by county, visit the Sample 2025 Iowa Affordable Care Act Premiums County Explorer. These official premium amounts will be posted to healthcare.gov during open enrollment beginning November 1, 2024.
The sample premiums available for window-shopping are NOT a substitute for healthcare.gov, but now is the time to be thinking about the choices. "It is important to realize that the sample premiums do not account for the advance premium tax credits available for many households," said Ommen. "The sample premiums available for review are based on geographical rating areas and also may not be available in the county in which you reside, however, it is a way to begin to understand the offerings that will soon be available on healthcare.gov."
Iowans who wish to purchase ACA-compliant coverage must complete enrollment between November 1 - December 15, 2024, for coverage to begin January 1, 2025. For those enrolling between December 16, 2024 - January 15, 2025, coverage will begin February 1, 2025. During open enrollment, Iowans may call 1-800-318-2596 or visit healthcare.gov for information regarding enrollment and to calculate any applicable tax credits.
Local insurance agents, assisters and Iowa’s navigators are available to help Iowans review which insurance plan may best fit their needs. Iowans can find local help by visiting https://www.healthcare.gov/find-assistance/.
Important information about individual coverage for 2025
- Iowa Total Care, Inc. (d/b/a AmBetter), Medica, Oscar, UnitedHealthcare Plan of the River Valley, and Wellmark Health Plan of Iowa will be offering ACA-compliant individual health insurance plans to Iowans for plan year 2025. Medica and Wellmark Health Plan of Iowa will serve Iowans in all 99 counties. Iowa Total Care will serve Iowans in 33 counties. Oscar will serve Iowans in 75 counties. UnitedHealthcare Plan of the River Valley will serve Iowans in 17 counties.
- If you currently have coverage through healthcare.gov and do not choose a plan for 2025 by the end of open enrollment, you will be re-enrolled into the same or similar plan.
- If you are considering changing insurance carriers, double-check to ensure your preferred healthcare provider(s) are in-network and your prescription drugs will continue to be covered.
- Iowans also want to review health coverage options through a health benefit plan sponsored by a non-profit agricultural organization or through a short-term limited duration plan.
Iowa Total Care: Benton, Buchanan, Cedar, Cerro Gordo, Cherokee, Chickasaw, Clinton, Crawford, Dubuque, Floyd, Fremont, Hancock, Hardin, Henry, Ida, Jackson, Jefferson, Kossuth, Lee, Linn, Louisa, Mahaska, Mills, Monona, Monroe, Montgomery, Pottawattamie, Ringgold, Shelby, Sioux, Van Buren, Washington, Woodbury
Medica: All counties in Iowa
Oscar: 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, Jones, Keokuk, Kossuth, Lucas, Madison, Mahaska, Marion, Marshall, Mills, Mitchell, Monona, Monroe, Montgomery, Palo Alto, Plymouth, Polk, Pottawattamie, Poweshiek, Ringgold, Sac, Scott, Shelby, Sioux, Tama, Union, Van Buren, Wapello, Warren, Wayne, Winnebago, Woodbury, Worth, Wright
UnitedHealthcare 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 counties in Iowa