The Medicare Open Enrollment Period (OEP) for 2027 Medicare Advantage and Part D Prescription Plans opens today, October 15, 2026, and runs through December 7, 2026. Ahead of this year’s enrollment window, more than 87,000 Iowa Medicare beneficiaries statewide received notice that their current Medicare plan is being canceled or discontinued in their county – including an estimated 460 beneficiaries in Cass County.
A complete list of affected Medicare Advantage, Cost, and Part D plans, along with affected counties, is available on the SHIIP-SMP website at: https://shiip.iowa.gov/find-resources/whats-new-medicare.
“It’s more important than ever that Iowa Medicare recipients open and read mail from their Medicare plan to understand changes to their coverage and explore their 2027 options,” said Kristin Griffith, Iowa’s SHIIP-SMP Director. “SHIIP-SMP is stepping up to empower Iowans with the knowledge, confidence, and support they need to find coverage that best serves them at the lowest possible cost.”
In Cass, local Medicare beneficiaries should be on the lookout for the following:
Critical Coverage Changes
“Having the ability to switch from Medicare Advantage to Original Medicare with guaranteed issue is a rare opportunity that isn’t typically available to Medicare Advantage enrollees,” Griffith noted. “It is vital for Iowans to weigh all their options given these significant changes.”
Key Deadlines to Avoid Coverage Gaps
Medicare beneficiaries who fail to enroll in a new plan by December 31, 2026, risk coverage gaps on January 1, 2027, which could lead to substantial unexpected medical and prescription expenses.
Tools and Support for Iowans
With over 700,000 Medicare beneficiaries in Iowa, SHIIP-SMP is offering self-service resources alongside 1-on-1 counseling:
About SHIIP-SMP
The Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) and Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) is a free, unbiased service provided by the Iowa Insurance Division. Powered by 430 trained and certified volunteer counselors, SHIIP-SMP assists more than 55,000 Iowans annually—including low-income seniors and individuals under 65 with disabilities—in making informed decisions about their Medicare benefits.
ATLANTIC, Iowa — Cass County Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, in partnership with Cass Health, will offer “Stay Independent,” a free educational series on nutrition and well-being for adults age 60 and older. The research-based program focuses on nutrition risks and key behaviors that can help older Iowans support their health, prevent disease and maintain their independence.
Cass Health and Cass County ISU Extension and Outreach recently concluded a nutrition and cooking class for young adults, and based off community feedback, there was significant interest in similar information for older adults.
Ashley Wilson, Health and Human Sciences Educator with ISU Extension and Outreach, will facilitate the classes at the Cass County Community Center in Atlantic. The class series will be held on Wednesday, November 4; Wednesday, November 11, and Thursday, November 19.
Each class will begin at 10:30 a.m. and conclude with a light lunch. Participants who attend all three sessions will receive a $25 gift card to a local grocery store.
The three-session series will include topics such as:
Registration is required and due by Thursday, October 29th. Registration is available online at casshealth.org/community/cancerpreventionclasses.
Atlantic, Iowa – Cass Health is offering low-cost wellness draw appointments on October 29-31 and November 5-7 from 7:00 to 9:00 a.m. in the Cass Health Laboratory located at 1501 E. 10th Street in Atlantic.
A general blood screening is available for $30, with additional tests offered for a small fee. Appointments are required and can be scheduled by calling 712-243-3250 or by visiting casshealth.org/laboratory.
The $30 screening includes glucose, hemoglobin, white blood count, red blood count, hematocrit, liver function, kidney function, and a lipid panel (total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, and triglycerides).
Routine lab work can provide valuable information about your overall health and help you and your healthcare provider have more informed conversations about your care.
Additional screenings available include:
Participants should fast overnight before their appointment. A small amount of water or black coffee the morning of the blood draw is permitted.
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Atlantic, Iowa – Cass Health’s next Healthy U presentation will be held Thursday, October 29, at noon in Conference Room 2. This program will introduce attendees to the Family Caregivers Center of Atlantic and the support and resources available to those caring for an adult with chronic conditions or age-related needs such as dementia or cancer.
Many people provide care for a loved one without necessarily thinking of themselves as a caregiver. Family caregiving can include regularly checking in on someone, attending medical appointments, providing transportation, helping with day-to-day needs, and more.
During the presentation, attendees will learn how the Family Caregivers Center connects family caregivers with trusted information, emotional support, and helpful resources as they navigate caregiving responsibilities.
Whether providing occasional assistance to a loved one or managing caregiving responsibilities every day, attendees will learn about things that can help make the caregiving journey a little easier.
Space is limited! A free boxed lunch is provided for all attendees, so reservations are required. Call 712-243-7479 to reserve your seat. For more information about Healthy U, visit casshealth.org/healthyu.
Atlantic, IA – Volunteer counselors are ready to help local adults with their questions and concerns about Medicare Open Enrollment.
The Senior Health Insurance Information (SHIIP) Program is a free, confidential, and unbiased service offered by the State of Iowa. SHIIP volunteers provide one-on-one insurance counseling and assistance at no cost to Medicare-eligible individuals, their families, and caregivers. SHIIP also provides community outreach and education on Medicare financial assistance eligibility. SHIIP services are sponsored locally by Cass Health, and the three local SHIIP counselors are Marla Anstey, Mary Brasfield, and Sheryl Miller.
Medicare Open Enrollment begins October 15th and ends December 7th. Iowans on Medicare have the opportunity to review and make changes to their drug or Medicare Advantage plan. During open enrollment, adults can join a new Medicare Advantage Plan, join a new Part D Prescription Drug Plan, switch from original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage Plan, or switch from an Advantage Plan to original Medicare.
Medicare plans can change their coverage, premiums, copayments, coinsurance, prescription drug formularies, and provider networks each year. A SHIIP counselor can help Medicare beneficiaries compare their options and consider which plans best meet their individual healthcare and financial needs.
It is also important to check which health care providers and hospitals are in your plan. For example, Cass Health is not in network with Humana Medicare Advantage plans. Cass Health is in network with many other Medicare Advantage plans, including AARP Medicare Plans, Aetna Medicare Plans, Iowa Total Care/Wellcare, Medica Prime Solution, Molina Medicare, UnitedHealthcare Dual Complete, Wellmark Blue Medicare Advantage, and Wellpoint Dual Advantage.
Before choosing a plan, check that Cass Health and the other health care providers you use are in the plan’s network.
To make an appointment with a SHIIP volunteer, please call 712-243-7555 and leave a message. One of the volunteers will then contact you about scheduling.
Atlantic, IA— October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and Cass Health is working to increase awareness among Iowans of the risk factors for breast cancer and provide information about screening. According to the Iowa Cancer Registry, breast cancer is one cancer type that is largely driving Iowa’s high overall cancer incidence rate.
There are more survivors of breast cancer living in Iowa than of any other type of cancer, with an estimated 38,200 survivors. Breast cancer has the second highest incidence rate of all types of cancer in Iowa, accounting for 14.1% of all new cancer cases in 2026 with an estimated 3,050 Iowans being diagnosed with breast cancer this year. An estimated 380 Iowans will die of breast cancer in 2026.
There are many different risk factors for breast cancer. Having a risk factor does not mean that someone will get cancer; it means that someone has a higher chance of developing cancer. Some cancer risk factors, like a person’s age, can’t be changed, but some cancer risk factors can be modified.
According to the CDC, risk factors for breast cancer include getting older, genetic mutations, reproductive history, having dense breasts, and family history. Risk factors that are not related to family history include not being physically active, being overweight or obese, and drinking alcohol.
Breast cancer screening can help detect tumors earlier, when they are more treatable. Cass Health’s screening recommendation is that women have an annual screening mammogram beginning at age 40. Based on family history and risk factors, some women may need to start screenings earlier or have more frequent screenings. Women are encouraged to talk with their primary care provider about what screenings they need.
The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services offers the Care for Yourself – Breast and Cervical Cancer Program to women across Iowa by providing free breast and cervical cancer screenings. Women are encouraged to visit the Iowa HHS website – hhs.iowa.gov/cfy – to find eligibility requirements, or call (866) 339-7909 to speak to a confidential coordinator.
Cass Health has been awarded a Top Workplaces 2026 honor by Des Moines Register. This list is based solely on employee feedback gathered through a third-party survey administered by employee engagement technology partner Energage LLC. The confidential survey uniquely measures the employee experience and its component themes, including employees feeling Respected & Supported, Enabled to Grow, and Empowered to Execute, to name a few.
“Earning a Top Workplaces award is a badge of honor for companies, especially because it comes authentically from their employees,” said Eric Rubino, Energage CEO. “That’s something to be proud of. In today’s market, leaders must ensure they’re allowing employees to have a voice and be heard. That’s paramount. Top Workplaces do this, and it pays dividends.”
ABOUT CASS HEALTH
Located in Atlantic, Iowa, Cass Health’s mission is to provide a superior experience for our patients, families, and communities, while working towards the vision of becoming the best rural hospital in the country. The team at Cass Health cares for patients with medical needs ranging from minor aches and pains to life-threatening emergencies, and everything in between. Cass Health brings together well-established, local healthcare providers to create one unified system that includes Cass County Memorial Hospital and rural health clinics in Atlantic, Anita, Griswold and Massena. With nearly 500 employees, Cass Health is the largest employer in Cass County and a huge economic engine for the region. Cass Health has been recognized as an Iowa Top Workplace, a Top 100 Critical Access Hospital in the country, and as a Top 20 Critical Access Hospital in the country.
ABOUT ENERGAGE
Making the world a better place to work together.TM
Energage is a purpose-driven company that helps organizations turn employee feedback into useful business intelligence and credible employer recognition through Top Workplaces. Built on 20 years of culture research and the results from 30 million employees surveyed across more than 80,000 organizations, Energage delivers the most accurate competitive benchmark available. With access to a unique combination of patented analytic tools and expert guidance, Energage customers lead the competition with an engaged workforce and an opportunity to gain recognition for their people-first approach to culture. For more information or to nominate your organization, visit energage.com or topworkplaces.com.
Atlantic, IA — The next Thrive Iowa Alliance meeting is Partners in Protection: How Law Enforcement and Child Welfare Navigators Team up for Kids. The meeting is on Monday, September 28th at noon at the Cass County Community Center, 805 West 10th Street in Atlantic.
Thrive Iowa Alliance meetings are held monthly with the goal of connecting local partners with ongoing education and information to better assist families in our community. Three local professionals will host a panel discussion including Spencer Walton, Chief Deputy & Jail Administrator with the Cass County Sherriff’s Office; Amanda Smith, Child Protection Worker with Iowa Health and Human Services; and Debra Wittrock, Juvenile Court Officer with Juvenile Court Services. The panelists will discuss roles, barriers, and successes while working together to ensure child safety for Cass County children.
Thrive Iowa is a collaborative, community-driven initiative focused on strengthening partnerships, improving access to resources, and helping individuals and families achieve greater stability and well-being. Through coordinated services and shared community responsibility, Thrive Iowa works to create stronger outcomes for families and communities across Iowa.
Through a secure digital platform, Thrive Iowa brings together community organizations, government agencies, healthcare providers, schools, businesses, and faith-based partners to create a more coordinated
approach to serving individuals and families. The initiative focuses on improving communication among organizations to help families more easily access resources and support within the community.
Cass County community members, employers, nonprofit organizations, faith communities, educational institutions, and local leaders are encouraged to attend. Questions can be directed to Kristen Brooks, Cass Health Thrive Iowa Coordinator at 712-250-8266.
ATLANTIC, IOWA — Cass Health invites local women to make their health a priority while enjoying a fun and relaxing evening at Mammos & Mocktails on Thursday, November 5, from 5 to 8 pm at Cass Health.
Mammos & Mocktails offers women an opportunity to complete their annual mammogram in a comfortable, welcoming atmosphere. Throughout the evening, attendees can enjoy seasonal mocktails, appetizers and snacks, chair massages, and time with friends.
Appointments are required for mammograms, and space is limited. Women can schedule an appointment through MyChart, by calling the Cass Health Radiology Department at 712-243-7450, or online at casshealth.org/mammos-mocktails.
Cass Health recommends that women receive a breast cancer screening once a year beginning at age 40. Women are encouraged to talk with their primary care provider about their family history and personal risk factors, as some women may need to begin screenings earlier or receive additional screenings.
Women ages 21–64 may also be eligible for free cancer screenings, including mammograms, Pap tests, HPV tests, and other services. For more information about eligibility or enrollment, contact Cass County Public Health at 712-243-7551.
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Atlantic, IA—Cass Health will begin administering seasonal vaccines for influenza on Thursday, October 1. Flu shots and FluMist are both available, as well as high-dose flu shots for patients over the age of 65. FluMist is an option for patients ages 2 through 49.
Walk-ins are welcome during normal Immunization Room hours; all patients should check-in at Registration first. The Immunization Room is open Monday through Friday 8 am to 4:30 pm.
The annual Ayzlee’s Family Flu Clinic will be held on Wednesday, October 21 from 5 to 7 pm. This clinic is specifically for young families and will include children’s activities and snacks. Appointments are preferred, but walk-ins are welcome. The event will be held inside the Cass Health Main Entrance.
Cass Health will administer flu vaccines, via injection or FluMist, at local schools. A clinic will be held at the Atlantic Schools on Tuesday, October 13, Griswold School on Wednesday, October 14, and CAM Schools on Thursday, October 15. The required consent will be distributed by the schools; parents must return the consent form to the school by Monday, October 5. Or, to download and print a copy of the consent, visit casshealth.org/vaccines.
Patients can also receive seasonal vaccines at Cass Health clinics in Anita, Griswold, and Massena. Walk-ins are welcome, but calling ahead is recommended.
To make an appointment for Ayzlee’s Family Flu Clinic, please call 712-243-2850.