Iowa Insurance Division
The Iowa Insurance Division is responsible for regulating all types of insurance sold in the Iowa - including health insurance policies.
If you are looking for health insurance coverage, the Insurance Division can help you find an insurance agent or insurance company that is licensed to do business in Iowa. You can contact them at the phone number listed below, or conduct your own agent search online.
Or, look here for licensed insurance companies.
If you are having trouble resolving a claims dispute with your insurer, you can file a complaint with the Insurance Division. Their website contains instructions for how to file a complaint.
Iowa Insurance Division
330 Maple St.
Des Moines, IA 50319-0065
Phone: 877.955.1212 or 515.281.5705
Fax: 515.281.3059
http://www.iid.state.ia.us/
U.S. Department of Labor
If you get your insurance through your job, your plan is also regulated by the U.S. Department of Labor's Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA). They make and enforce the rules that your employer must follow when offering health insurance coverage to employees - for example, your employer cannot single out an individual employee to exclude her from the plan because she (or one of her dependents) has a costly illness. Also, if there are 20 or more employees at your job, you should be offered COBRA continuation coverage when you leave your job. The EBSA works to make sure that all of this happens and your rights are protected.
If you have concerns about your employer's practices in administering your job-based health coverage - for example, if you think you should have been offered COBRA continuation coverage, but were not, or if you feel that you were wrongly terminated from your health plan - contact your regional EBSA office.
U.S. Department of Labor Employee Benefits Security Administration
Kansas City Regional Office
1100 Main Street, Suite 1200
Kansas City, MO 64105-5148
Steve Eischen – Director
Phone: 816.426.5131
Fax: 816.426.5511
http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/
Buying Individual Policies in Iowa
As a general rule, insurers in Iowa are allowed to reject your application for coverage based on your health status. However, you may qualify for coverage as a "HIPAA-eligible" individual if you:
- had at least 18 months of continuous creditable coverage, the last day of which was under a group plan AND
- you have exhausted all COBRA continuation coverage which was available to you.
People who are HIPAA-eligible are guaranteed the right to buy insurance through the Iowa Comprehensive Health Association (described below). If you are not sure whether you are a HIPAA-eligible individual, your insurance agent or the Insurance Division can help you find out.
Iowa Comprehensive Health Association (HIP-Iowa)
HIP-Iowa offers coverage to individuals who are unable to purchase an individual health insurance policy because they have pre-existing health conditions. It also covers "HIPAA-eligible" individuals as described above. The HIP-Iowa website details the eligibility requirements for their program here.
You can also learn more about HIP-Iowa’s benefits and premium rates by visiting their site or contacting them at the phone number listed below.
Iowa Comprehensive Health Association (HIP-Iowa)
Phone: 1.877.793.6880
http://www.hipiowa.com/
Iowa HAWK-I - the state Children's Health Insurance Program
HAWK-I provides health insurance coverage for children under age 19 whose families meet certain income requirements.
Iowa HAWK-I
Phone: 1.800.257.8563
http://www.hawk-i.org/index.html
Iowa Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP)
The Iowa SHIIP provides free one-on-one counseling for Medicare beneficiaries with questions about any aspect of Medicare, including the new Part D prescription drug benefit, or Medigap coverage.
Iowa Senior Health Insurance Assistance Program
Iowa Insurance Division
330 Maple Street
Des Moines, IA 50319-0065
Phone: 800.351.4664
http://www.shiip.state.ia.us/
Iowa Medicaid
Medicaid is a government program designed to help the poor and indigent obtain health care services. Pregnant women and children under age 19 who meet certain income requirements may be eligible for Medicaid coverage, along with aged, blind, and disabled individuals. For more information about Iowa Medicaid, including eligibility requirements, visit the Iowa Medicaid website or contact them by phone at the number listed below.
Iowa Medicaid
Phone: 800-338-8366 or 515-725-1003
http://www.ime.state.ia.us/Members/index.html