Is my plan actually ending?
The statewide number includes Medicare Advantage, Medicare Cost and Part D drug plans. It does not mean 87,000 people in Des Moines are affected. Iowa's SHIIP counseling program publishes the plan names and contract numbers, as well as separate county-specific service area reductions.
| What your notice might name | What Iowa SHIIP says | Your next step |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Medicare Advantage PPO H5900-001 | Listed among Iowa Medicare Advantage plans canceled for 2027. | Match both the plan name and number on your notice; compare replacement coverage. |
| Medica Advantage Preferred PPO H8889-011 | Listed among Iowa Medicare Advantage plans canceled for 2027. | Ask about Medicare Advantage and Original Medicare options before deciding. |
| Aetna SilverScript Choice S5601-050 | The stand-alone Part D drug plan ends December 31, 2026. | Compare 2027 drug plans with your prescriptions and pharmacy. |
| A plan leaving certain counties | Some other plans are reducing service areas rather than ending everywhere. | Check your county and your specific notice against SHIIP's list. |
The city of Des Moines is not the same place as Des Moines County. Check the county where you live, not just the name of the city. Keep your plan's nonrenewal notice as proof of the change.
What dates should I put on my calendar?
Medicare's regular annual enrollment period runs October 15 through December 7, 2026. Iowa says people whose plans are ending should select new coverage by December 31 to avoid a gap at the start of 2027.
| Date | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| December 7, 2026 | The regular Medicare annual enrollment period ends. |
| December 31, 2026 | Iowa advises people losing a plan to choose new coverage by this date to avoid a January gap. |
| February 28, 2027 | Iowa identifies the end of a special enrollment period for people whose plans were canceled; enrolling later can leave a gap. |
Do not wait for February if you need uninterrupted drug coverage in January. Medicare special enrollment rules depend on what happened to your plan; call Medicare or SHIIP if your notice is unclear.
Should I choose Medicare Advantage or Original Medicare?
A replacement Medicare Advantage plan and Original Medicare work differently. Compare the doctors, hospital, drug coverage, premiums and expected costs of each option rather than choosing based only on an extra benefit.
Iowa SHIIP says people whose Medicare Advantage or Cost plans are canceled, or leave their county, can return to Original Medicare with a guaranteed issue right to buy a Medicare Supplement policy. That right is subject to rules and deadlines: ask SHIIP or Medicare which policies are available to you and when you must apply. Save your notice.
Original Medicare does not include stand-alone Part D prescription coverage automatically. If you choose it, separately compare drug coverage and, if appropriate, a Medicare Supplement policy. Our Medicare Advantage and Medigap guide explains the differences.
Can I keep my Des Moines doctors?
UnityPoint Health lists Aetna, Devoted Health, Humana and UnitedHealthcare among traditional Medicare Advantage insurers for Iowa statewide in its 2027 network information. It also lists Traditional Medicare across its markets.
UnityPoint says a company listing does not mean it accepts every plan the company sells. Confirm your exact 2027 plan and each doctor, facility and specialist with both UnityPoint and the insurer. Check MercyOne or another health system separately if you use it.
The Iowa Insurance Division says the cancellation of Wellmark and Medica Medicare Advantage PPOs means Iowans can no longer purchase a Medicare Advantage plan with in-network Mayo Clinic coverage for 2027. This is not a statement about Original Medicare or every Medica product.
What should I have ready before I compare?
- Your plan card and the cancellation or service-area notice, including the plan number.
- The names of your doctors and the Des Moines facilities you use.
- Your prescriptions, doses and preferred pharmacy.
- A list of premiums and likely medical costs you can comfortably afford.
- Questions about your Medicare Supplement rights and drug coverage if you are considering Original Medicare.
Compare available plans on Medicare.gov, call 1-800-MEDICARE or contact Iowa SHIIP at 1-800-351-4664 for free counseling. A licensed agent can also help you review available options.
Insurers and hospitals mentioned
Explore the organizations or brands discussed in this article. A mention does not mean every plan or location is covered.
- Insurer · IowaUnitedHealthcare
- Medicare Advantage · IowaDevoted Health
- Medicare Advantage · IowaHumana
- Medicare Advantage · IowaUnitedHealthcare
- Small-group insurer · IowaUnitedHealthcare Insurance Company
- Small-group insurer · IowaUnitedHealthcare Plan of the River Valley, Inc.
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