While we are not affiliated with the government in any way, our private company engaged writers to research the Unemployment Insurance program and compiled a guide and the following answers to frequently asked questions. Our goal is to help you get the benefits that you need by providing useful information on the process.
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Medicaid is a federal U.S. health insurance program that provides health coverage to millions of Americans. The program primarily covers low-income adults, children, pregnant women, elderly adults and people with disabilities.
Federal guidelines for the Medicaid program are established by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Learn more about Medicaid at a national level on the CMS website here.
The Iowa Medicaid program is administered by the Iowa Department of Human Services. Learn more about Medicaid in Iowa on the Department of Human Services website here.
Through Medicaid, people gain access to health care services that may not be affordable without it. Additionally, some programs and benefits include special protections—such as provider network and payment methods—that help ensure services are accessible. Medicaid also provides preventive care and other services help people stay healthy and avoid costlier care.
Medicaid covers medical and health care services such as:
*Additional services, such as nursing homes or personal care services, may be available to those who have special needs.
Medicaid does not cover the following types of medical services:
Learn more about medical and health care services that are covered by Medicaid in Iowa on the Department of Human Services page here.
Medicaid recipients in Iowa may need to pay a monthly premium, which is a monthly fee for enrollment in the program. Premiums range from $0 to $15. Premium amounts are based on the recipient’s annual income.
Recipients may sometimes need to pay a small out-of-pocket cost for treatments, which are known as copayments. Copayment amounts depend on the recipient’s age, household income and what the state pays for the specific service. There is a limit to the amount you can pay in copayments each month.
Services that require copayments include the following:
*Copayments are required for physician, or doctor, office visits unless the visit is for a preventive wellness exam, immunizations, family planning, or for urgent care that is provided at an urgent care facility.
Each Medicaid participant through the Iowa Department of Human Services has their own individual health care plan. Some participants may be required to pay fees, and some recipients may not be required to pay fees, i.e., are exempt.
Medicaid participants who fall into one of the below categories are exempt from copayment fees:
To learn more about Medicaid premiums and copayments, click here.
To qualify for Medicaid in Iowa, you must meet all of the following:
Income limits vary depending on household size, medical status and other factors and are subject to change annually. Find the current Medicaid income limits based on household size in Iowa here.
Learn what documents you can submit to prove your citizenship and identity here.
Find further information on Iowa Medicaid eligibility here.
To apply for Medicaid in Iowa, complete the following three steps:
Learn what documents you need on the first page of the application here.
To apply for Medicaid online, click here to access the Iowa Benefits Portal.
To apply for Medicaid by mail, click here to access the application form, fill it out, and mail it with the necessary documents to:
Imaging Center 4
P.O. Box 2027
Cedar Rapids, IA 52406
To apply for Medicaid in person, click here to find your nearest Department of Human Services (DHS) office.
To apply for Medicaid by phone, call the Iowa Department of Human Services’ toll-free number at (855) 889-7985.
If you apply in person, you will complete an interview at the time of your application submission to verify your eligibility for the program.
If you apply online, by mail or by phone, you will complete the interview over the phone.
If you have questions about the application process or require assistance, call the Iowa Department of Human Services’ toll-free customer service number at (855) 889-7985.
Or, contact your nearest local Iowa DHS office. Find contact information for local field offices in Iowa here.
Iowa Medicaid recipients must report changes that can influence their eligibility status, including:
Update your information by:
You can check the status of your application in the following ways:
The Iowa Department of Human Services will review your application to verify if you are eligible for Medicaid. In some cases, the state may ask for additional information before approving your application. Iowa will mail applicants a letter detailing if their Medicaid application was approved or denied.
It takes approximately 30 days to process a Medicaid application. If you are approved, you will receive a Medicaid identification card within 2 weeks of when you receive your approval notification.
Medicaid applications will be denied when applicants do not meet the eligibility requirements. Also, beneficiaries can have their benefits terminated or reduced if their eligibility status changes while they are enrolled.
If your Medicaid application is denied or your benefits amount is reduced, you have the right to file an appeal. You must submit an appeal request within 90 days of when you receive notice of the denial or benefits reduction.
You can submit your appeal request in the following ways:
DHS, Appeals Section
1305 E Walnut Street, 5th Floor
Des Moines, IA 50319-0114
The Iowa Department of Human Services will review your claim and may ask for additional information or evidence of your eligibility. If you have questions about the appeal process, call the Appeals Section at (515) 281-3094.
If you are granted a hearing, you will receive a notice with the date, time and location of the hearing. Learn more about the appeal process in the Iowa appeal page here.
Iowa Medicaid recipients must report changes that can influence their eligibility status, including relocating to a new address.
If you move to a new residence within Iowa, you can update your address by:
Note: Medicaid benefits do not transfer. If you move to a new state, you must reapply for Medicaid in your new location. If you have further questions about moving with Medicaid, visit the national Medicaid Contact Us here.
For help with a Medicaid application, or for any further questions about the Medicaid program, contact the Iowa Department of Human Services:
Iowa Medicaid Enterprise Member Services
P.O. Box 36510
Des Moines, IA 50315
You can also visit or call a local Department of Human Services (DHS) office for further assistance. Find your nearest DHS office location and contact information here.
While we are not affiliated with the government in any way, our private company engaged writers to research the Medicaid program and compiled a guide and these answers to frequently asked questions. Our goal is to help you get the benefits that you need by providing useful information on the process.
Our free Medicaid Guide is filled with helpful information about how to apply, program eligibility and how to get in touch with local offices. You can view or download our free guide here.
Last Updated: September 21, 2022
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To apply for Medicaid in Iowa, complete the following three steps:
Learn what documents you need on the first page of the application here.
To apply for Medicaid online, click here to access the Iowa Benefits Portal.
To apply for Medicaid by mail, click here to access the application form, fill it out, and mail it with the necessary documents to:
Imaging Center 4
P.O. Box 2027
Cedar Rapids, IA 52406
To apply for Medicaid in person, click here to find your nearest Department of Human Services (DHS) office.
To apply for Medicaid by phone, call the Iowa Department of Human Services’ toll-free number at (855) 889-7985.
If you apply in person, you will complete an interview at the time of your application submission to verify your eligibility for the program.
If you apply online, by mail or by phone, you will complete the interview over the phone.
If you have questions about the application process or require assistance, call the Iowa Department of Human Services’ toll-free customer service number at (855) 889-7985.
Or, contact your nearest local Iowa DHS office. Find contact information for local field offices in Iowa here.
Iowa Medicaid recipients must report changes that can influence their eligibility status, including:
Update your information by:
You can check the status of your application in the following ways:
The Iowa Department of Human Services will review your application to verify if you are eligible for Medicaid. In some cases, the state may ask for additional information before approving your application. Iowa will mail applicants a letter detailing if their Medicaid application was approved or denied.
It takes approximately 30 days to process a Medicaid application. If you are approved, you will receive a Medicaid identification card within 2 weeks of when you receive your approval notification.
Medicaid applications will be denied when applicants do not meet the eligibility requirements. Also, beneficiaries can have their benefits terminated or reduced if their eligibility status changes while they are enrolled.
If your Medicaid application is denied or your benefits amount is reduced, you have the right to file an appeal. You must submit an appeal request within 90 days of when you receive notice of the denial or benefits reduction.
You can submit your appeal request in the following ways:
DHS, Appeals Section
1305 E Walnut Street, 5th Floor
Des Moines, IA 50319-0114
The Iowa Department of Human Services will review your claim and may ask for additional information or evidence of your eligibility. If you have questions about the appeal process, call the Appeals Section at (515) 281-3094.
If you are granted a hearing, you will receive a notice with the date, time and location of the hearing. Learn more about the appeal process in the Iowa appeal page here.
Iowa Medicaid recipients must report changes that can influence their eligibility status, including relocating to a new address.
If you move to a new residence within Iowa, you can update your address by:
Note: Medicaid benefits do not transfer. If you move to a new state, you must reapply for Medicaid in your new location. If you have further questions about moving with Medicaid, visit the national Medicaid Contact Us here.
For help with a Medicaid application, or for any further questions about the Medicaid program, contact the Iowa Department of Human Services:
Iowa Medicaid Enterprise Member Services
P.O. Box 36510
Des Moines, IA 50315
You can also visit or call a local Department of Human Services (DHS) office for further assistance. Find your nearest DHS office location and contact information here.
While we are not affiliated with the government in any way, our private company engaged writers to research the Medicaid program and compiled a guide and these answers to frequently asked questions. Our goal is to help you get the benefits that you need by providing useful information on the process.
Our free Medicaid Guide is filled with helpful information about how to apply, program eligibility and how to get in touch with local offices. You can view or download our free guide here.
Last Updated: September 21, 2022
