Healthcare (Insurance) in Iowa

signed · Iowa · House May 15, 2026

HF 2185: A bill for an act relating to cost sharing for health savings accounts and qualified high-deductible health plans.

HF 2185 ensures that people enrolled in qualified high-deductible health plans (HDHPs) with health savings accounts (HSAs) can maintain their HSA eligibility. It requires that copays, coinsurance, or deductibles paid by the enrollee only count toward their deductible *after* they’ve met their minimum deductible, unless the service is preventive care. This prevents cost-sharing payments from accidentally making someone ineligible for an HSA. The bill applies to group health insurance and accident/health insurance plans in Iowa.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Insurance Primary Care

in committee · Iowa · House Jan 15, 2026

HSB 502: A bill for an act relating to health insurers’ credentialing process.

This bill requires health insurers in Iowa to respond to credentialing requests from physicians, advanced registered nurse practitioners, and physician assistants within 56 calendar days. If a request is denied, insurers must provide a written explanation. It expands current law by explicitly including all "health care professionals" (as defined by state law) in these requirements, not just physicians. The goal is to streamline the process for providers seeking to join insurer networks and receive reimbursement for patient care.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Insurance Medical Licensing

in committee · Iowa · House Feb 10, 2026

HF 2029: A bill for an act relating to health care coverage of public school district personnel under the state health insurance plan, providing fees, making appropriations, and including effective date provisions.

This bill allows public school district employees and elected officials to enroll in Iowa's state health insurance plan, matching the premium rates paid by state employees. School districts must apply for coverage and pay monthly premiums plus administrative fees, deposited into a dedicated trust fund for the program. Unpaid premiums incur interest, and the state may withhold district funding until payments are made. Annual reports on enrollment, costs, and program impact are required. The bill takes effect July 1, 2027.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics K-12 Education Insurance

in committee · Iowa · Senate Feb 25, 2025

SSB 1174: A bill for an act relating to the establishment of the work without worry program under the medical assistance program for employed individuals with disabilities, and including effective date provisions.

SSB 1174 establishes Iowa's "Work Without Worry" program, allowing employed individuals with disabilities to keep Medicaid coverage while working without losing benefits due to income. It removes standard income and resource limits for eligibility, instead charging a premium of 6% of an individual's "countable income" (basic needs income). The program automatically enrolls people receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI), covers traditional Medicaid services plus additional community-based supports, and includes a 6-month grace period for temporary job loss. It directly affects Iowans aged 18-65 with disabilities who work and earn taxable income, ensuring continuous health coverage without penalty for employment.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Insurance Medicaid

passed · Iowa · House Jan 22, 2026

HF 986: A bill for an act relating to matters under the purview of the department of insurance and financial services, the utilities commission, and the department of transportation, including financial literacy and exploitation, tax confidentiality, health insurance rates, health savings accounts, insurer withdrawals, property insurance, service contracts, the Iowa individual health benefit reinsurance association, and the Iowa cemetery Act, motor vehicle financial liability coverage, and including penalties and effective date provisions.

HF 986 establishes new funds and initiatives to enhance financial literacy and prevent financial exploitation for the public. It creates a Financial Literacy and Investor Education Fund and a Financial Exploitation Prevention Fund, which are partially funded by reallocating a portion of agent registration fees. The bill also establishes a Senior Health Insurance Information Program Fund to provide educational materials on health insurance for older Iowans. These provisions aim to educate Iowans on financial topics and assist potential victims of financial exploitation.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Insurance

in committee · Iowa · House Mar 14, 2025

HF 905: A bill for an act relating to the establishment of the work without worry program under the medical assistance program for employed individuals with disabilities, and including effective date provisions.

HF 905 establishes Iowa's "Work Without Worry" program, providing Medicaid coverage to employed individuals with disabilities aged 18-64 who meet specific criteria. The program removes standard income and asset limits by requiring a monthly premium of 6% of countable income (rounded down to the nearest dollar), with automatic enrollment for Supplemental Security Income recipients. It includes a six-month grace period for temporary job loss or health crises, maintaining coverage during this time with ongoing premium payments. Administered by Iowa's Department of Health and Human Services, the program requires federal approval to implement under Medicaid rules.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Insurance Medicaid

introduced · Iowa · Legislature

1361DP: Continuing Health Insurance for Certain Surviving Spouses and Dependents (1361DP) - Administrative Services, Department of

This bill (1361DP) ensures that the surviving spouse and children of Iowa state employees who die from work-related traumatic injuries can continue their existing state health insurance coverage. It applies only to deaths directly caused by traumatic injuries incurred while performing job duties (excluding deaths from stress, chronic illness, misconduct, intoxication, or gross negligence). The state must allow coverage continuation but isn’t required to pay for it; if the state doesn’t cover costs, the family can choose to pay the uncovered portion to maintain coverage. Exclusions include cases where the survivor contributed to the employee’s death or becomes ineligible for other reasons (like remarriage).

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Insurance

in committee · Iowa · House Feb 17, 2025

HF 424: A bill for an act relating to the establishment of the work without worry program under the medical assistance program for employed individuals with disabilities, and including effective date provisions.

HF 424 establishes Iowa's "Work Without Worry" program, providing health coverage through the state's medical assistance program for employed individuals with disabilities aged 18-64 who meet income requirements. It removes typical Medicaid barriers by allowing participants to keep coverage while working, with premiums calculated as 6% of "countable income" (income used for basic needs), and automatically enrolling Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients. The program includes a 6-month grace period for temporary job loss or health issues without requiring premium payments during that time, and participants retain access to all standard Medicaid services plus additional community-based support. This directly affects Iowans with disabilities who work but would otherwise lose health coverage due to income limits under current Medicaid rules.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Insurance Medicaid

signed · Iowa · Senate May 19, 2025

SF 565: A bill for an act providing for the continuation of health insurance in certain circumstances for the surviving spouse and each surviving child of employees of the state of Iowa and including retroactive applicability provisions.

SF 565 provides for the continuation of health insurance coverage for the surviving spouses and children of employees of the state of Iowa. This bill ensures that these family members can maintain their health insurance benefits under specific conditions after the employee's death. It also includes provisions for retroactive applicability, meaning it could apply to past situations. The aim is to offer continued health coverage to these surviving families.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Insurance

in committee · Iowa · House Feb 6, 2025

HF 219: A bill for an act relating to the duties of insurers under medical malpractice insurance policies.

HF 219 requires health insurance companies covering medical malpractice claims to negotiate settlement offers within policy limits in good faith. If an insurer refuses a claimant's settlement offer at or below the policy limit and the case results in a judgment exceeding that limit, the insurer must pay the full judgment amount. This directly affects health care providers (insureds) and their insurers, giving providers a legal claim against insurers for failing to negotiate within policy limits. The bill shifts liability to insurers for excess judgments when they unreasonably reject reasonable settlement offers.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Insurance

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