Health insurance & Medicare · Des Moines, IA (Polk County)
Individual & Family Health Insurance in Des Moines, Iowa
9.1% of Des Moines adults aged 19 to 64 have no health insurance, below the U.S. rate of 11.1% (the 2nd-lowest uninsured rate for adults 19 to 64 of the 10 Midwest U.S. communities on this site). Help choosing an ACA Marketplace health plan, including checking whether you qualify for premium tax credits that lower your monthly cost. Olive, a licensed agent with Manna Financial Services, helps Des Moines, IA households compare individual and family health insurance by phone or video, and the first conversation is free.
Des Moines by the numbers
- 9.1% of Des Moines adults aged 19 to 64 have no health insurance, below the U.S. rate of 11.1% (the 2nd-lowest uninsured rate for adults 19 to 64 of the 10 Midwest U.S. communities on this site).
- 7.3% of Des Moines workers are self-employed, below the U.S. figure of 9.8%. Self-employed people have no employer plan for health, life or disability coverage.
- The median household income in Des Moines is $63,968, below the U.S. average of $78,538.
- About 24,600 Des Moines residents are between 55 and 64, the group that will reach Medicare age over the next ten years.
Des Moines and nearby communities
| Place | Uninsured adults 19–64 | Self-employed | Median household income |
|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines | 9.1% | 7.3% | $63,968 |
| Chicago | 12.2% | 8.9% | $75,134 |
| Indianapolis | 13.1% | 7.8% | $62,911 |
| Detroit | 11.1% | 7.4% | $39,575 |
| U.S. | 11.1% | 9.8% | $78,538 |
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2019–2023 5-year estimates.
How we help with individual and family health insurance
- Compare the Marketplace plans offered in your county
- Check premium tax credit and cost-sharing eligibility
- Confirm your doctors, hospitals and prescriptions are in network
- Enroll during Open Enrollment or a Special Enrollment Period
Read our full guide to individual and family health insurance
Rules that apply in Iowa
- Iowa residents buy individual and family Marketplace plans through HealthCare.gov or their state exchange. Plans and prices vary by county.
- Open Enrollment typically runs November 1 to January 15. Enroll by December 15 for coverage that starts January 1.
- Outside Open Enrollment, a qualifying life event such as losing other coverage, moving, marriage or a new baby opens a Special Enrollment Period.
- Marketplace premiums are the same with or without an agent. Insurance companies pay the agent.
Questions from Des Moines
When can I enroll in a Marketplace plan?
Open Enrollment typically runs November 1 to January 15. Enroll by December 15 for coverage that starts January 1. Outside that window you need a qualifying life event, such as losing other coverage, moving, marriage or a new baby, to use a Special Enrollment Period.
Do I need to visit an office in Des Moines?
No. Olive works with Des Moines and Polk County households by phone or video, so you can compare options from home. Most applications and signatures can be completed online.
Talk with Olive about individual and family health insurance.
Free, no obligation, by phone or video. Or call or text (937) 388-5346.