Iowa
Cheapest ACA plans in Ames, Iowa for 2026
Plan year 2026, last refreshed 2026-04-19T08:08:55.462Z.
Ames is in Story County, Iowa. 2 carriers sell 2026 ACA plans on Healthcare.gov for residents of Story County, and the cheapest Bronze plan a 40-year-old can enroll in starts at $351/month before any subsidy. Carriers are licensed and rated at the county level, so the plans below cover everyone in Story County, including Ames.
Cheapest plans by metal tier
Lowest 2026 monthly premium for a single 40-year-old in Ames (Story County), on-exchange, before any subsidy. Per-age figures derived from the CMS QHP Landscape file using the HHS standardized age-rating curve (45 CFR 147.102).
| Tier | Cheapest age 40 monthly | Plans in Story County |
|---|---|---|
| Expanded Bronze | $351 | 6 |
| Gold | $481 | 5 |
| Silver | $525 | 5 |
The actual cheapest Bronze plan in Ames
Wellmark Health Plan of Iowa, Inc. Wellmark Bronze Traditional HMO
$351/moFor a family of four (two 40-year-olds and two kids under 14): Wellmark Health Plan of Iowa, Inc. Wellmark Bronze Traditional HMO at $1,121/month before subsidies.
Carriers selling 2026 plans in Ames
2 carriers sell 2026 plans on Healthcare.gov for Story County residents; 1 additional carrier offers off-exchange-only plans (not subsidy-eligible). 18 plans total in Story County.
| Carrier | On-exchange plans |
|---|---|
| Medica | 9 |
| Wellmark Health Plan of Iowa, Inc. | 7 |
Also selling off-exchange only
These carriers sell plans directly (not through Healthcare.gov). Off-exchange plans are not eligible for federal APTC or state subsidies.
| Carrier | Off-exchange plans |
|---|---|
| Oscar | 2 |
What you'll actually pay in Ames
Estimated monthly net premium for the cheapest Bronze plan above ($351/mo before subsidy) on Healthcare.gov, after federal APTC. APTC is computed against the Story Countybenchmark Silver per 26 USC §36B. Approximate; exact net varies by plan's EHB% and child-rate structure.
Single 40-year-old
| Annual income | FPL % | Federal APTC | Cheapest Bronze net |
|---|---|---|---|
| $25,000 | 160% | $436/mo | $0/mo |
| $40,000 | 256% | $246/mo | $105/mo |
| $60,000 | 383% | $35/mo | $316/mo |
| $100,000 | 639% | — | $351/mo |
Family of 4 (two 40-year-olds, two children)
| Annual income | FPL % | Federal APTC | Cheapest Bronze net |
|---|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | 124% | — | Medicaid likely |
| $80,000 | 249% | $1,144/mo | $0/mo |
| $130,000 | 404% | — | $1,121/mo |
| $200,000 | 622% | — | $1,121/mo |
FPL = Federal Poverty Level. APTC = Advance Premium Tax Credit (the federal subsidy). Off-exchange and Catastrophic plans are not APTC-eligible. Enter your real income on the home page to see plan-specific net premium with the per-plan EHB-percent cap applied.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest ACA plan in Ames, Iowa for 2026?
The cheapest Bronze plan a 40-year-old can enroll in is Wellmark Health Plan of Iowa, Inc. Wellmark Bronze Traditional HMO at $351 per month before subsidies. Plans sell through Healthcare.gov. Ames is in Story County, Iowa; carriers are licensed and rated at the county level. Data refreshed 2026-04-19T08:08:55.462Z.
How does Ames's 2026 ACA pricing compare to other Iowa cities?
Cheapest Bronze for a 40-year-old in Ames is $351 per month before subsidies. For comparison: Des Moines at $343/mo; Sioux City at $338/mo; Cedar Rapids at $352/mo. Different cities can have different cheapest plans because plans are sold per county and carrier participation varies by jurisdiction.
Does Iowa use Healthcare.gov?
Yes. Iowa participates in the federally-facilitated Marketplace (FFM), so enrollment and subsidy applications run through healthcare.gov. Iowa does not operate a state-based exchange.
Has Iowa expanded Medicaid?
Yes, effective January 2014, through the Iowa Health and Wellness Plan (a §1115 waiver program). Adults 19-64 with income up to 138% FPL qualify regardless of parental status or disability, so there is no coverage gap in Iowa.
Which carriers offer Iowa plans on Healthcare.gov?
For PY2026, expect Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield (the dominant statewide carrier, which returned to the on-exchange market for PY2022 after exiting in 2018), plus Medica and Oscar Health in select metros. County-level availability varies.
More Iowa pricing
- Statewide Iowa pricing and metal tiers
- Des Moines pricingcheapest Bronze $343/mo
- Sioux City pricingcheapest Bronze $338/mo
- Cedar Rapids pricingcheapest Bronze $352/mo
Sources
- HealthCare.gov for enrollment, OEP dates, and federal APTC / CSR application.
- Iowa Insurance Division for rate review, carrier filings, and consumer guidance.
- Iowa Department of Health and Human Services: Medicaid for Medicaid eligibility and Iowa Health and Wellness Plan enrollment.
- KFF: Iowa State Health Facts for Medicaid expansion, enrollment, and benchmark premium context.
Plan year 2026, last refreshed 2026-04-19T08:08:55.462Z. Full pricing pipeline + regulatory references at methodology; ACA terminology in the glossary.