Company vs company · Bremer County, IA · 2027 plan year

Humana vs MediGold Medicare Advantage plans

Medicare.gov compares Medicare Advantage plans with each other. This page also shows Original Medicare, so you can see the full trade-off: premiums, copays, the yearly limit, extra benefits, and the rules about doctors and approvals.

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In most states, including Iowa, you cannot count on getting Medigap later

You can buy any Medigap plan with no health questions in the 6 months that start when you are 65 or older and have Part B. After that, a Medigap company in Iowa can ask about your health. It can say no, or it can charge you more. So if you join a Medicare Advantage plan now, you may not be able to get Medigap later.

One exception is the trial right. If you joined Medicare Advantage when you first got Medicare at 65, or you left a Medigap plan to try Medicare Advantage for the first time, you can switch back within 12 months. Then you can buy a Medigap plan with no health questions.

Read about Medigap rights on Medicare.gov

Your yearly cost, side by side

Move the controls to match your year. Totals include premiums, the Part B premium, copays, and drug costs.

How much care do you expect?

Ongoing specialist care

Medigap plan with Original Medicare

Plan G pays almost everything after the $292 yearly Part B deductible.

Want to check your exact drugs? Medicare.gov lets you enter each drug and shows what each plan charges for it. Enter your drugs on Medicare.gov

$

We have no Medigap Plan G price for a 65-year-old woman in Bremer County. Enter the monthly price from your quote, or check Medigap prices for ZIP 50677 on Medicare.gov.

Original Medicare

We have no Medigap Plan G price for a 65-year-old woman here, so we cannot show this total yet. Enter your quote above to see it. Check Medigap prices on Medicare.gov

HumanaChoice Giveback H5216-340 (PPO)

PPO from Humana

$5,540 a year

Premiums
$1,758
Medical costs
$1,961
Drugs
$1,821

Most you can pay in a bad year, before drugs: $6,758.

MercyOne Health Plan Cash Back (HMO)

HMO from MediGold

$4,504 a year

Premiums
$1,314
Medical costs
$1,881
Drugs
$1,309

Most you can pay in a bad year, before drugs: $10,214.

With these settings, MercyOne Health Plan Cash Back (HMO) costs about $1,036 less a year than HumanaChoice Giveback H5216-340 (PPO).

These are estimates, not quotes. Check every number with Medicare (Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE) and with the plan before you choose. What you pay depends on your doctors and hospitals, your drugs and pharmacy, and the care you use. Drug costs use typical prices for generic and brand-name drugs. Original Medicare amounts are 2027 projections from the 2026 Medicare Trustees Report. CMS sets the final amounts in November.

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What you pay each time you get care

In-network costs for one visit or one stay. The Original Medicare amounts follow your Medigap choice above: Plan G.

Primary doctor visit

  • Original Medicare + Medigap Plan G

    $0

    after the $292 yearly Part B deductible

  • Humana USAA Honor Giveback (PPO)

    $0

  • HumanaChoice Giveback H5216-340 (PPO)

    $0

  • MercyOne Health Plan Choice (PPO)

    $0

  • MercyOne Health Plan No Premium (HMO)

    $0

Specialist visit

  • Original Medicare + Medigap Plan G

    $0

    after the $292 yearly Part B deductible

  • Humana USAA Honor Giveback (PPO)

    $55

    Prior authorization
  • HumanaChoice Giveback H5216-340 (PPO)

    $45

    Prior authorization
  • MercyOne Health Plan Choice (PPO)

    $35

  • MercyOne Health Plan No Premium (HMO)

    $30

Lab tests

  • Original Medicare + Medigap Plan G

    $0

    most Medicare-covered tests

  • Humana USAA Honor Giveback (PPO)

    $0

    Prior authorization
  • HumanaChoice Giveback H5216-340 (PPO)

    $0

    Prior authorization
  • MercyOne Health Plan Choice (PPO)

    $0

  • MercyOne Health Plan No Premium (HMO)

    $0

MRI or CT scan

  • Original Medicare + Medigap Plan G

    $0

    after the $292 yearly Part B deductible

  • Humana USAA Honor Giveback (PPO)

    $0-$345

    Prior authorization
  • HumanaChoice Giveback H5216-340 (PPO)

    $0-$345

    Prior authorization
  • MercyOne Health Plan Choice (PPO)

    $175

  • MercyOne Health Plan No Premium (HMO)

    $245

Emergency room

  • Original Medicare + Medigap Plan G

    $0

    after the $292 yearly Part B deductible

  • Humana USAA Honor Giveback (PPO)

    $130

  • HumanaChoice Giveback H5216-340 (PPO)

    $130

  • MercyOne Health Plan Choice (PPO)

    $130

  • MercyOne Health Plan No Premium (HMO)

    $130

Urgent care

  • Original Medicare + Medigap Plan G

    $0

    after the $292 yearly Part B deductible

  • Humana USAA Honor Giveback (PPO)

    $50

  • HumanaChoice Giveback H5216-340 (PPO)

    $50

  • MercyOne Health Plan Choice (PPO)

    $45

  • MercyOne Health Plan No Premium (HMO)

    $40

Outpatient surgery

  • Original Medicare + Medigap Plan G

    $0

    after the $292 yearly Part B deductible

  • Humana USAA Honor Giveback (PPO)

    $0-$300

    Prior authorization
  • HumanaChoice Giveback H5216-340 (PPO)

    $0-$300

    Prior authorization
  • MercyOne Health Plan Choice (PPO)

    $300

  • MercyOne Health Plan No Premium (HMO)

    $355

Ground ambulance

  • Original Medicare + Medigap Plan G

    $0

    after the $292 yearly Part B deductible

  • Humana USAA Honor Giveback (PPO)

    $325

    Prior authorization
  • HumanaChoice Giveback H5216-340 (PPO)

    $325

    Prior authorization
  • MercyOne Health Plan Choice (PPO)

    $250

    Prior authorization
  • MercyOne Health Plan No Premium (HMO)

    $300

    Prior authorization

Hospital stay, 5 days

  • Original Medicare + Medigap Plan G

    $0

    Plan G pays the $1,788 Part A deductible

  • Humana USAA Honor Giveback (PPO)

    $1,875

    for a 5-day stay

    Prior authorization
  • HumanaChoice Giveback H5216-340 (PPO)

    $2,200

    for a 5-day stay

    Prior authorization
  • MercyOne Health Plan Choice (PPO)

    $1,975

    for a 5-day stay

    Prior authorization
  • MercyOne Health Plan No Premium (HMO)

    $1,975

    for a 5-day stay

    Prior authorization
See every cost in one table
What you pay in networkOriginal Medicare + Medigap Plan GHumana USAA Honor Giveback (PPO)HumanaChoice Giveback H5216-340 (PPO)MercyOne Health Plan Choice (PPO)MercyOne Health Plan No Premium (HMO)
Monthly premiumPart B $209.50 + Medigap Plan G at the price of your quote + drug plan $10.30$0 (pays back $150 a month of your Part B premium) + Part B $209.50$0 (pays back $63 a month of your Part B premium) + Part B $209.50$0 + Part B $209.50$0 + Part B $209.50
Yearly limit on what you payYou pay the $292 Part B deductible. Plan G pays the rest.$4,700 in network; $10,100 in and out of network$5,000 in network; $10,100 in and out of network$4,900 in network; $6,900 in and out of network$4,900 in network
Medical deductible$292 Part B. Plan G pays the $1,788 Part A deductible.$0$500$300$0
Primary doctor visit$0, after the $292 yearly Part B deductible$0 copay$0 copay$0 copay$0 copay
Specialist visit$0, after the $292 yearly Part B deductible$55 copayPrior authorization$45 copayPrior authorization$35 copay$30 copay
Lab tests$0, most Medicare-covered tests$0 copayPrior authorization$0 copayPrior authorization$0 copay$0 copay
MRI or CT scan$0, after the $292 yearly Part B deductible$0-$345 copayPrior authorization$0-$345 copayPrior authorization$175 copay$245 copay
X-rays$0, after the $292 yearly Part B deductible$0-$145 copayPrior authorization$0-$145 copayPrior authorization$0 copay$20 copay
Emergency room$0, after the $292 yearly Part B deductible$130 copay$130 copay$130 copay$130 copay
Urgent care$0, after the $292 yearly Part B deductible$50 copay$50 copay$45 copay$40 copay
Outpatient hospital$0, after the $292 yearly Part B deductible$0-$400 copayPrior authorization$0-$400 copayPrior authorization$0-$300 copay$0-$355 copay
Surgery center$0, after the $292 yearly Part B deductible$0-$300 copayPrior authorization$0-$300 copayPrior authorization$300 copay$355 copay
Ground ambulance$0, after the $292 yearly Part B deductible$325 copayPrior authorization$325 copayPrior authorization$250 copayPrior authorization$300 copayPrior authorization
Hospital stay$0, Plan G pays the $1,788 Part A deductible$375 per day for days 1-7; $0 per day for days 8-90Prior authorization$440 per day for days 1-5; $0 per day for days 6-90Prior authorization$395 per day for days 1-5; $0 per day for days 6-90Prior authorization$395 per day for days 1-5; $0 per day for days 6-90Prior authorization
Skilled nursing facility$0, Plan G pays days 21-100$10 per day for days 1-20; $221 per day for days 21-100Prior authorization$10 per day for days 1-20; $221 per day for days 21-100Prior authorization$0 per day for days 1-20; $221 per day for days 21-65; $0 per day for days 66-100$0 per day for days 1-20; $221 per day for days 21-65; $0 per day for days 66-100
Mental health visit$0, after the $292 yearly Part B deductible$0 copayPrior authorization$35 copayPrior authorization$35 copay$30 copay
Physical therapy$0, after the $292 yearly Part B deductible$30 copayPrior authorization$40 copayPrior authorization$35 copay$30 copay
Home health care$0, Medicare-covered home health$0 copayPrior authorization$0 copayPrior authorization$0 copay$0 copay
Medical equipment$0, after the $292 yearly Part B deductible16% coinsurancePrior authorization19% coinsurancePrior authorization20% coinsurancePrior authorization20% coinsurancePrior authorization
Part B drugs$0 after the $292 Part B deductible0%-20% coinsurancePrior authorization0%-20% coinsurancePrior authorization0%-20% coinsurancePrior authorization0%-20% coinsurancePrior authorization
Drug deductible (Part D)$700 with AARP Medicare Rx Saver from UHC (PDP)No drug coverage$700$450$500
Drug tiers (one month, retail)Preferred Generic: $0 copayGeneric: $5 copayPreferred Brand: 18% coinsuranceNon-Preferred Drug: 38% coinsuranceSpecialty Tier: 25% coinsuranceNo drug coveragePreferred Generic: $0 copayGeneric: $4 copayPreferred Brand: 19% coinsuranceNon-Preferred Drug: 30% coinsuranceSpecialty Tier: 25% coinsurancePreferred Generic: $0 copayGeneric: $5 copayPreferred Brand: 25% coinsuranceNon-Preferred Drug: 40% coinsuranceSpecialty Tier: 27% coinsurancePreferred Generic: $0 copayGeneric: $0 copayPreferred Brand: 25% coinsuranceNon-Preferred Drug: 50% coinsuranceSpecialty Tier: 27% coinsurance

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A higher drug plan premium is not, by itself, a reason to switch

With Original Medicare, you buy a separate drug plan. In Iowa, 9 drug plans are for sale for 2027, from $5.30 to $222.90 a month. Half of them cost $33.30 a month or less.

  • Every 2027 drug plan limits what you pay for covered drugs to $2,400 a year. The drug coverage in Medicare Advantage plans has the same limit.
  • The premium is one part of your yearly cost. The calculator above adds premiums, medical costs, and drug costs, so you can see the whole year.
  • A Medicare Advantage plan can cost less in a light year. But you also take on its network and prior authorization rules, and you may not be able to get Medigap later.
  • If your income is limited, Extra Help can pay most of your drug plan premium and drug costs. Check Extra Help at SSA.gov

The two companies in Bremer County

Humana

  • 4 plans for 2027 (not counting special needs plans)
  • 3 with a $0 premium; 2 pay back part of your Part B premium
  • Yearly limits from $4,200 to $7,500
  • Star ratings 4 to 4.5

MediGold

  • 5 plans for 2027 (not counting special needs plans)
  • 4 with a $0 premium; 2 pay back part of your Part B premium
  • Yearly limits from $4,400 to $8,900
  • Star ratings 3 to 3.5

Doctors, referrals, and prior authorization

Cost is one side. The other side is how you get care. These rules come from the CMS plan files. Prior authorization means the plan must approve a service before you get it.

Original Medicare

  • Any doctor or hospital in the U.S. that takes Medicare
  • No referrals
  • Prior authorization only for a short list of services

Humana USAA Honor Giveback (PPO)

PPO

  • The plan has a network. You can go outside it, but you pay more.
  • No referral needed to see a specialist.

Prior authorization for 24 services

Specialist visits, Diagnostic tests, MRI or CT, Radiation therapy, Outpatient hospital, Observation stay, Surgery center, Ambulance, Mental health visits, Psychiatrist visits, Physical therapy, Occupational therapy, Home health, Partial hospitalization, Cardiac rehab, Pulmonary rehab, Medical equipment, Prosthetics, Diabetic supplies, Dialysis, Substance use care, Hospital stay, Skilled nursing, Part B drugs

HumanaChoice Giveback H5216-340 (PPO)

PPO

  • The plan has a network. You can go outside it, but you pay more.
  • No referral needed to see a specialist.

Prior authorization for 24 services

Specialist visits, Diagnostic tests, MRI or CT, Radiation therapy, Outpatient hospital, Observation stay, Surgery center, Ambulance, Mental health visits, Psychiatrist visits, Physical therapy, Occupational therapy, Home health, Partial hospitalization, Cardiac rehab, Pulmonary rehab, Medical equipment, Prosthetics, Diabetic supplies, Dialysis, Substance use care, Hospital stay, Skilled nursing, Part B drugs

MercyOne Health Plan Choice (PPO)

PPO

  • The plan has a network. You can go outside it, but you pay more.
  • No referral needed to see a specialist.

Prior authorization for 6 services

Ambulance, Medical equipment, Prosthetics, Diabetic supplies, Hospital stay, Part B drugs

MercyOne Health Plan No Premium (HMO)

HMO

  • You use doctors and hospitals in the plan network. Outside the network, the plan pays for emergencies and urgent care.
  • No referral needed to see a specialist.

Prior authorization for 6 services

Ambulance, Medical equipment, Prosthetics, Diabetic supplies, Hospital stay, Part B drugs

Extra benefits

Extra benefitOriginal MedicareHumana USAA Honor Giveback (PPO)HumanaChoice Giveback H5216-340 (PPO)MercyOne Health Plan Choice (PPO)MercyOne Health Plan No Premium (HMO)
DentalNoComprehensive, up to $1,500 a yearComprehensive, up to $4,000 a yearComprehensive, up to $1,000 a yearComprehensive, up to $1,000 a year
Eye examNoYesYesYesYes
Glasses or contactsNoYes, $200 allowanceYes, $100 allowanceYes, $150 allowanceYes, $200 allowance
Hearing aidsNoYes, copays from $575Yes, copays from $575Yes, copays from $599Yes, copays from $599
Over-the-counter allowanceNo$400 a year$100 a year$160 a year$100 a year
Fitness benefitNoYesYesYesYes
Rides to careNoNoNoNoNo
Meals after a hospital stayNoYesYesNoYes
Emergency care abroadPlan G and Plan N pay 80% after a $250 deductibleYesYesYesYes
Part B premium givebackNo$150 a month$63 a monthNoNo

What changed for 2027

Humana USAA Honor Giveback (PPO)

Renewal Plan with SAR · 2026 plan H5216-278-1

  • Part B giveback up from $135 to $150
  • Diagnostic radiology (MRI, CT): $0-$335 copay to $0-$345 copay
  • Outpatient hospital: $0-$350 copay to $0-$400 copay
  • Ground ambulance: $335 copay to $325 copay
  • Skilled nursing facility: $10 per day for days 1-20; $218 per day for days 21-100 to $10 per day for days 1-20; $221 per day for days 21-100
  • Overall star rating up from 3.5 to 4

HumanaChoice Giveback H5216-340 (PPO)

Renewal Plan with SAR · 2026 plan H5216-340-0

  • Drug deductible up from $600 to $700
  • Part B giveback down from $64 to $63
  • Diagnostic radiology (MRI, CT): $0-$335 copay to $0-$345 copay
  • Outpatient hospital: $0-$300 copay to $0-$400 copay
  • Ground ambulance: $335 copay to $325 copay
  • Skilled nursing facility: $10 per day for days 1-20; $218 per day for days 21-100 to $10 per day for days 1-20; $221 per day for days 21-100
  • Yearly OTC allowance down from $400 to $100
  • Overall star rating up from 3.5 to 4

MercyOne Health Plan Choice (PPO)

Renewal Plan · 2026 plan H1846-007-0

  • In-network out-of-pocket maximum up from $4,400 to $4,900
  • Medical deductible up from $0 to $300
  • Drug deductible up from $200 to $450
  • Part B giveback down from $1 to $0
  • Emergency care: $110 copay to $130 copay
  • Urgent care: $35 copay to $45 copay
  • Inpatient hospital: $360 per day for days 1-5; $0 per day for days 6-90 to $395 per day for days 1-5; $0 per day for days 6-90
  • Skilled nursing facility: $0 per day for days 1-20; $218 per day for days 21-60; $0 per day for days 61-100 to $0 per day for days 1-20; $221 per day for days 21-65; $0 per day for days 66-100
  • Yearly OTC allowance down from $300 to $160
  • Meals after a hospital stay removed
  • Overall star rating down from 4 to 3

MercyOne Health Plan No Premium (HMO)

Renewal Plan · 2026 plan H3668-025-0

  • In-network out-of-pocket maximum up from $4,200 to $4,900
  • Drug deductible up from $150 to $500
  • Part B giveback down from $0 to $0
  • Emergency care: $110 copay to $130 copay
  • Urgent care: $30 copay to $40 copay
  • Diagnostic radiology (MRI, CT): $160 copay to $245 copay
  • Outpatient hospital: $0-$275 copay to $0-$355 copay
  • Ground ambulance: $240 copay to $300 copay
  • Inpatient hospital: $325 per day for days 1-5; $0 per day for days 6-90 to $395 per day for days 1-5; $0 per day for days 6-90
  • Skilled nursing facility: $0 per day for days 1-20; $218 per day for days 21-60; $0 per day for days 61-100 to $0 per day for days 1-20; $221 per day for days 21-65; $0 per day for days 66-100
  • Yearly OTC allowance down from $300 to $100
  • Overall star rating down from 4.5 to 3.5

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Sources and method

Plan data comes from the CMS 2027 Plan Benefit Package and landscape files. The data is from 2026-10-10. We checked a sample of plans field by field against Medicare.gov. Original Medicare amounts are the 2027 projections in the 2026 Medicare Trustees Report (Tables V.E1 and V.E2). CMS sets the final amounts in November. We do not have a Medigap price for Bremer County, IA. So the Original Medicare total needs your own Medigap quote. You can look up prices for ZIP 50677 on Medicare.gov. Totals use typical Medicare-allowed amounts for each service and typical drug prices.

These are estimates, not quotes, and they are for education only. Check every number with Medicare and with the plan before you choose. What you pay depends on your doctors and hospitals, your drugs and pharmacy, and the care you use. Plans can change their benefits, premiums, drug lists, and networks each year.

Pinnie is not an insurance agent or broker and does not sell Medicare plans. Pinnie is not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program. For all your options, visit Medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227), TTY 1-877-486-2048.

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