Medicare Advantage plans in Howard, IA, 2027
Howard, Iowa has 7 Medicare Advantage plans open to everyone for 2027 (16 in 2026) and 8 special needs plans, according to the CMS landscape files; 3 of the open plans have a $0 premium. 12 plans that served the county in 2026 end or leave it, with 301 members living here in September 2026.
What changes in Howard for 2027?
| In the county | 2026 | 2027 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plans open to everyone | 16 | 7 | ▼down 9 |
| Special needs plans | 6 | 8 | ▲up 2 |
| Plans with a $0 premium | 10 | 3 | ▼down 7 |
| Plans that lower the Part B premium | 4 | 2 | ▼down 2 |
| Median out-of-pocket limit | $4,950 | $5,000 | ▲up $50 |
Source: CMS Medicare Advantage and Part D landscape files for 2027 (Sept. 22, 2026, revised Sept. 30) and 2026 (Sept. 2, 2026 revision); CMS plan benefit package files, 2027 and 2026.
Which plans can anyone in Howard join?
| Plan | Premium | Out-of-pocket limit | Part B reduction | 2026 stars |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wellcare SimpleH1862-005 · HMO-POS | $0 | $4,400 | none | not rated (too little data) |
| Humana USAA Honor GivebackH5216-278 · PPO | $0 | $4,700 | $150 | 3.5 of 5 |
| HumanaChoice GivebackH5216-340 · PPO | $0 | $5,000 | $63 | 3.5 of 5 |
| HumanaChoiceH5216-014 · PPO | $51 | $7,500 | none | 3.5 of 5 |
| Medica Prime Solution ThriftH2450-030 · Cost | $53 | $7,150 | none | 3.5 of 5 |
| Medica Prime Solution CoreH2450-046 · Cost | $114 | $5,900 | none | 3.5 of 5 |
| Medica Prime Solution PremierH2450-043 · Cost | $216 | $4,450 | none | 3.5 of 5 |
Source: CMS Medicare Advantage and Part D landscape files for 2027 (Sept. 22, 2026, revised Sept. 30) and 2026 (Sept. 2, 2026 revision); CMS plan benefit package files, 2027 and 2026. Stars are the contract's 2026 rating. confirm on Medicare Plan Finder.
Which plans leave Howard in 2027?
Members of these plans here choose a 2027 plan during open enrollment, October 15 to December 7, 2026; choosing by December 31 means no gap; because their plan is leaving the county, they can still join until the end of February 2027, with coverage from the first of the next month. Each plan's page says what happens to its members.
| 2026 plan | Members here, Sept. 2026 | For 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Medicare Advantage PPOH5900-001 | 230 | Not offered |
| Aetna Medicare SignatureH1608-001 | 46 | Leaves the county |
| Aetna Medicare SignatureH1609-001 | 14 | Leaves the county |
| Humana Full AccessH5216-411 | 11 | Not offered |
| Aetna Medicare EliteH1608-037 | fewer than 11 | Leaves the county |
| Aetna Medicare Enhanced ExtraH1608-117 | fewer than 11 | Leaves the county |
| Aetna Medicare EagleH1609-058 | fewer than 11 | Leaves the county |
| Aetna Medicare Value CareH1609-068 | fewer than 11 | Leaves the county |
| Aetna Medicare Signature ExtraH1609-069 | fewer than 11 | Leaves the county |
| Humana Together in HealthH5216-413 | fewer than 11 | Not offered |
| Humana Together in Health SelectH5216-453 | fewer than 11 | Not offered |
| Blue Medicare Advantage Valor PPOH5900-006 | fewer than 11 | Not offered |
Source: CMS plan crosswalk from 2026 to 2027 (Oct. 1, 2026); CMS monthly enrollment by plan and by county, September 2026 (CMS hides counts under 11); CMS Medicare Advantage and Part D landscape files for 2027 (Sept. 22, 2026, revised Sept. 30) and 2026 (Sept. 2, 2026 revision).
Which special needs plans are sold here?
Open only to people with Medicaid as well as Medicare, with certain chronic conditions, or living in an institution.
| Plan | Who can join | Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Wellcare Iowa Total Care Dual ReserveH1862-006 | Dual-Eligible | $0 |
| Wellcare Iowa Total Care Dual Liberty SyncH1862-003 | Dual-Eligible | $0 |
| Molina Medicare Complete CareH4367-002 | Dual-Eligible | $0.60 |
| Wellpoint Full Dual AdvantageH0907-003 | Dual-Eligible | $12 |
| UHC Dual Complete IA-S001H0169-001 | Dual-Eligible | $24.60 |
| Wellcare Iowa Total Care Dual AccessH1862-004 | Dual-Eligible | $24.60 |
| Iowa Health AdvantageH6765-001 | Institutional | $24.60 |
| Iowa Health Advantage ChoiceH6765-002 | Institutional | $24.60 |
Source: CMS Medicare Advantage and Part D landscape files for 2027 (Sept. 22, 2026, revised Sept. 30) and 2026 (Sept. 2, 2026 revision).
How many people in Howard use Medicare Advantage?
450 of the county's 2,405 people with Medicare were in a Medicare Advantage plan in September 2026, 18.7%; in Iowa as a whole the share is 37.6%.
Source: CMS Medicare Advantage state and county penetration, September 2026.
What else should you check?
- Medicare Advantage in IowaEvery county of the state
- 9 stand-alone drug plans in IowaIf you keep Original Medicare
- Is your plan ending?Every plan not offered in 2027