Medicare Advantage

Davenport, Iowa Medicare plan choices for 2027

DAVENPORT, Iowa — If you're turning 65 soon or thinking about switching your Medicare coverage, one of the first questions you probably have is a simple one: how many choices do I actually have? For people living in Davenport, the answer is a lot — enough that comparing them takes some patience and a plan of attack.

Davenport sits in Scott County, and Medicare plan availability is set at the county level. That means every Davenport resident on Medicare is looking at the same menu of options as their neighbors across Scott County. Knowing the size of that menu is the first step to making a confident choice during this fall's Annual Enrollment Period.

How many Medicare options are in the Davenport area?

For 2026, Scott County residents could choose from 38 Medicare Advantage plans, offered by 10 different carriers. The 2027 lineup is listed in each plan's Annual Notice of Change and on Medicare.gov's Plan Finder — a wide field either way, and it's why many people feel overwhelmed the first time they open it.

Medicare Advantage (Part C) is the private-plan alternative to Original Medicare. Most Advantage plans in the county also include prescription drug coverage, which is why you'll often see them called "MA-PD" plans.

If you'd rather stick with Original Medicare (Parts A and B) and add a stand-alone Part D drug plan, those drug plans are sold on a regional basis and are available to everyone in Iowa. You can view the full list of stand-alone Part D options for your ZIP code on medicare.gov.

Why the count matters — and why it doesn't

A big number of plans is good news in the sense that you have real choice. But more options also means more homework. Two plans from the same carrier can look almost identical on the surface and treat your specific medications or doctors very differently.

Here's the honest truth: the "right" plan is the one that fits your prescriptions, your doctors, and your budget. That's an individual answer, not a ranking. A neighbor's favorite plan may be a poor fit for you, and vice versa.

What Star Ratings mean

You'll also see Medicare Star Ratings when you compare plans. These are quality scores CMS assigns each year, on a scale of 1 to 5 stars, based on things like customer service, member complaints, and how well a plan manages chronic conditions.

Star Ratings are useful context, but they aren't the whole picture. Use them alongside the details that matter most to you — your drug list, your providers, and the total cost of the plan over a year.

Key 2027 numbers to keep in mind

A few program-wide figures apply no matter which plan you consider:

• $2,400 — the annual out-of-pocket cap on Part D prescription drug spending in 2027 (it is $2,100 in 2026).
• $615 in 2026 ($700 in 2027) — the maximum Part D deductible a plan can charge.
• The coverage gap (donut hole) is gone as of 2025. Part D now has three phases instead of four.
• The Medicare Prescription Payment Plan lets you spread your drug costs across the year in monthly installments if that helps your budget.
• IRMAA — the income-related surcharge on Part B and Part D premiums — kicks in above $109,000 in income for a single filer in 2026.

Important dates for Davenport enrollees

• Oct. 15 – Dec. 7: Annual Enrollment Period. You can join, switch, or drop a Medicare Advantage or Part D plan. Changes take effect Jan. 1.
• Jan. 1 – March 31: Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period. If you're already in an Advantage plan, you get one chance to switch to a different Advantage plan or return to Original Medicare.

Missing these windows usually means waiting a full year, so mark your calendar now.

Where to get unbiased help

With 38 Advantage plans to weigh in Scott County, plus separate drug plans if you go the Original Medicare route, it makes sense to lean on official resources:

• Medicare.gov — the Plan Finder tool lets you enter your medications and pharmacy and see every plan available at your address.
• 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) — available 24/7 for personal questions.
• Iowa SHIIP (Senior Health Insurance Information Program) — the state's free counseling service, staffed by trained volunteers who don't sell insurance. You can reach SHIIP at 1-800-351-4664.