Understanding Medicare Special Needs Plans in Polk County, Iowa
In Polk County, IA, Medicare beneficiaries have access to 14 Special Needs Plans (SNPs) in 2026. Among them, 1 are available at a $0 premium. About 8,019 people in the County are enrolled, with 45% of SNPs rated 4 stars or higher. These plans are designed for individuals with specific healthcare needs, including dual eligibility for Medicare and Medicaid, chronic conditions, or long-term care requirements.
Page last revised:
Enrollment data refreshed: October 13, 2025
* Each year CMS evaluates Medicare Advantage plans on a 5-star scale. Data sources
Dual Eligible Special Needs Plans (D-SNPs)
Dual Eligible Special Needs Plans (D-SNPs) are designed for people who qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid. These plans coordinate benefits to reduce costs and provide access to additional support services.
- Total D-SNP Plans: 9
- Average Premium: $29.24/mo
- Beneficiaries Enrolled: 7,021
- $0 Premium D-SNPs: 1
- Zero Cost D-SNP Plans: 8
- Most Popular D-SNP: UHC Dual Complete IA-S001 (D-SNP) with 5,061 enrollees
- D-SNPs Without Drug Coverage: 0
| Health Plan Name | CMS Rating* | Premium Per Mo | Network |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aetna Medicare Dual Care | $38 | HMO D-SNP | |
| UHC Dual Complete IA-S001 | $42 | HMO-POS D-SNP | |
| HumanaChoice SNP-DE H5216-268 | $32 | PPO D-SNP | |
| Molina Medicare Complete Care | $0 | HMO D-SNP | |
| Wellpoint Full Dual Advantage | $29 | HMO-POS D-SNP | |
| Wellpoint Full Dual Advantage 2 | $32 | HMO-POS D-SNP | |
| Wellcare Dual Access | $29 | HMO-POS D-SNP | |
| Wellcare Dual Liberty Sync | $32 | HMO-POS D-SNP | |
| Wellcare Dual Reserve | $30 | HMO-POS D-SNP |
What is the total number of D-SNP options in Polk County?
There are 9 D-SNP plans in 2026, covering 7,021 beneficiaries.
How much do D-SNP plans cost on average in Polk County?
The average D-SNP premium is $29.24, with 1 costing $0.
What D-SNP plan has the highest enrollment in Polk County?
UHC Dual Complete IA-S001 (D-SNP) is the most popular D-SNP in Polk County, with 5,061 enrollees.
What is the total number of D-SNP options in Polk County?
There are 9 D-SNP plans in 2026, covering 7,021 beneficiaries.
Institutional Special Needs Plans (I-SNPs)
These plans cater to individuals residing in long-term care facilities, such as nursing homes, or those requiring extended skilled nursing facility care at home. The CMS website provides more information about I-SNPs and their coverage details.
- Total I-SNP Plans
- 4
- Average Premium
- $65.63/mo
- Beneficiaries Enrolled
- 63
- $0 Premium I-SNPs
- 0
- Average MOOP
- $16,325
- Most Popular I-SNP
- Iowa Health Advantage (I-SNP) with 63 enrollees
- I-SNPs Without Drug Coverage
- 0
| Health Plan Name | CMS Rating* | Premium Per Mo | Network |
|---|---|---|---|
| Iowa Health Advantage | $42 | HMO I-SNP | |
| Iowa Health Advantage Choice | $42 | HMO I-SNP | |
| Humana Together in Health | $42 | PPO I-SNP | |
| Humana Together in Health Select | $138 | PPO I-SNP |
What I-SNP plan has the highest enrollment in Polk County?
Iowa Health Advantage (I-SNP) is the most popular I-SNP in Polk County, with 63 enrollees.
What is the total number of I-SNP options in Polk County?
There are 4 I-SNP plans in 2026, covering 63 beneficiaries.
Chronic Condition Special Needs Plans (C-SNPs)
These plans are designed for individuals with severe or disabling chronic conditions. C-SNPs excel at coordinating your care among different medical specialists and often include extra benefits like prescription drug plans.
| Health Plan Name | CMS Rating* | Premium Per Mo | Network |
|---|---|---|---|
| UHC Complete Care IA-5 | $27 | HMO-POS C-SNP |
What is the average premium for C-SNP plans in Polk County?
On average, C-SNP plans in Polk County cost $27.00 per month.
Which C-SNP is the most popular in Polk County?
The leading C-SNP in Polk County is UHC Complete Care IA-5 (C-SNP), with 935 members.
How many C-SNP plans are available in Polk County?
In 2026, Polk County offers 1 C-SNPs with 935 enrollees.
Medicare Special Needs Plans have with strict enrollment windows. By knowing when and how to sign up, you’ll avoid missed deadlines and keep your healthcare coverage aligned with your needs.
Key Medicare Enrollment Periods
- Initial Enrollment Period (IEP): This seven-month window starts three months before the month you turn 65 and ends three months after. It’s the first time you can sign up for Medicare and, if you choose, a Medicare Advantage plan. Learn more
- Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (MA OEP): Between January 1 and March 31, people already enrolled in Medicare Advantage can make a one-time change—switch to another plan or return to Original Medicare. Learn more
- Annual Enrollment Period (AEP): From October 15 through December 7 each year, you can make changes to your Medicare coverage for the following year. Learn more
- Special Enrollment Periods (SEPs): Life events like moving to a new service area, losing other health coverage, or becoming eligible for assistance may open a Special Enrollment Period to adjust your Medicare coverage. Learn more
How to Sign Up for a Special Needs Plan
- Licensed Agent Assistance: For one-on-one guidance, contact HealthCompare at 1-833-748-3201 (TTY 711). Agents are available Monday through Friday 5am–6pm and Saturday 6am–5pm PST.
- Contact the Plan Provider Directly: Start enrollment by reaching out to the plan provider through their website or by phone with their member services team.
- Use Medicare.gov: At Medicare.gov, you can compare Medicare Advantage plans side by side and enroll securely online.
The D-SNP, C-SNP, and I-SNP plans listed on this page are available to qualifying individuals enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B living in Altoona, Ankeny, Bondurant, Elkhart, Grimes, Johnston, Mitchellville, Polk City, Runnells, West Des Moines, Des Moines, Urbandale, Windsor Heights, Clive, Pleasant Hill, and all other areas of Polk County, Iowa.
Plans Offered for Enrollment through Medicare.org
Medicare Advantage and Part D plans and benefits offered by the following carriers: Medicare Advantage and Part D plans and benefits offered by the following carriers: Aetna Medicare, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Aspire Health Plan, Baylor Scott & White Health Plan, Capital Blue Cross, Dean Health Plan, Devoted Health, Florida Blue Medicare, Freedom Health, GlobalHealth, Health Care Service Corporation, HealthSpring℠, HealthSun, Healthy Blue, Humana, Molina Healthcare, Mutual of Omaha, Medica Central Health Plan, Optimum HealthCare, Premera Blue Cross, SCAN Health Plan, Simply, UnitedHealthcare(R), Wellcare, WellPoint
CMS Plan IDs Presented
The Medicare Special Needs Plan pages listed in the tables above include localization to assist beneficiaries with plans available in their service area. However, most Part C plans are available in more than one service area, which can lead to confusion. The following list of CMS IDs links to our master plan pages without localization.
- CMS.gov, Landscape Source Files — Last accessed September 26, 2025
- CMS.gov, Medicare Part C & D Performance — Last accessed October 10, 2025
- CMS.gov, Plan Benefits Package — Last accessed October 13, 2025
- CMS.gov, Medicare Advantage/Part D Contract and Enrollment Data — Last accessed October 13, 2025
Some facts and percentages shown on this page (such as average premiums, distribution of plan types, and percentage of $0 premium plans) are calculated by Medicare.org using data from the CMS Plan Benefits Package (PBP) files and Part C & D Performance files. All underlying values originate from CMS, and calculations are refreshed whenever CMS issues updated data.
Medicare.org separates Medicare Advantage (MA/MAPD) plans and Special Needs Plans (SNPs) into different pages for clarity. As a result, plan counts, percentages, and other calculations shown here may differ from the aggregate totals published in the CMS Landscape files. All plan availability and benefit details originate from CMS.
Learn more about how we use CMS data.
- Medicare.gov, "Compare types of Medicare Advantage Plans" — Last accessed 25 May, 2025
- Medicare.gov, "Your coverage options" — Last accessed 23 May, 2025
- Medicare.gov, "Joining a plan" — Last accessed 21 May, 2025
Medicare.org is owned and operated by Health Network Group, LLC, an Allstate company. Medicare.org provides information only and is not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. Government or the federal Medicare program.
Data provenance documentation is maintained in alignment with the U.S. Core Data for Interoperability (USCDI) Provenance standard.
Page content managed by David Bynon, Medicare Analyst.