The Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) is a free, objective and confidential service offered through the Iowa Insurance Division.

SHIIP offers one-on-one assistance, counseling, and education to Medicare beneficiaries, their families, and caregivers to help them make informed decisions about their care and benefits. SHIIP services support people with limited incomes, Medicare beneficiaries under the age of 65 with disabilities, and individuals who are dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid.

Services are delivered through a state-wide network of trained and certified counselors who provide assistance in-person and by phone, make group presentations, and use a variety of media sources to educate people about Medicare.

To make an appointment to speak one-on-one with a local SHIIP volunteer, please leave a message at 712-243-7555. One of our volunteers will then call you back.

Recent News from SHIIP

Over 87,000 Iowans Face Medicare Plan Cancellations as 2027 Open Enrollment Begins
October 15, 2027

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:

• Cancelled Plans:
  Aetna - SilverScript Choice (PDP) (S5601-050) (Plan members in Cass: 313)
  Humana - Humana Full Access (PPO) (H5216-411) (Plan members in Cass: 14)
• Plans No Longer Offered in Cass County:
  AARP/UnitedHealthCare - AARP Medicare Advantage Essentials from UHC NE-3 HMO-POS (H2802-001) (Plan members in Cass: 86)
  AARP/UnitedHealthCare - AARP Medicare Advantage Extras from UHC NE-5 HMO-POS (H2802-074) (Plan members in Cass: 47)

Critical Coverage Changes

• Loss of Mayo Clinic Network:
  A major change for 2027 is that Iowans will no longer be able to purchase Medicare Advantage plans that provide in-network coverage with the Mayo Clinic with the cancellation of both Wellmark and Medica’s Medicare Advantage PPOs.
• Guaranteed Issue Rights:
  Iowans whose Medicare Advantage plans are canceled qualify for a "Guaranteed Issue" right. This allows them to switch to Original Medicare and purchase an available Medicare Supplement (Medigap) policy without medical underwriting—meaning insurers cannot deny coverage or charge higher premiums due to pre-existing health conditions.

"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

• December 7, 2026: Standard Open Enrollment deadline for comparing and selecting 2027 Medicare Advantage and Part D plans.
• December 31, 2026: Deadline for individuals losing their plan to select new coverage without experiencing a gap in coverage starting January 1, 2027.
• February 28, 2027: Deadline to make changes under a Special Enrollment Period for those whose plans were canceled.

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:

• Online Self-Service Resources: The SHIIP-SMP website offers answers to frequently asked questions and instructional video guides on creating a Medicare.gov account, using the Medicare Plan Finder tool, and comparing Part D or Medicare Advantage plans.
• 24/7 National Helpline: Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) for around-the-clock help comparing plans.
• Local 1-on-1 Assistance: In Cass County, call 712-243-7555 to leave a message with a SHIIP counselor, who will return your call and schedule an appointment with you. You can also visit the "Find a Counselor" page at shiip.iowa.gov or call 1-800-351-4664 to connect with a local SHIIP-SMP site.  Counselor availability is limited, and appointments fill up quickly.

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.

 

Funding

Funding for these programs is provided in part by grant number 90SAPG0070, from the U.S. Administration for Community Living, Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, D.C. 20201. Grantees undertaking projects under government sponsorship are encouraged to express their findings and conclusions. Points of view or opinions do not always represent official ACL or HHS policy.