You can still get a nationwide PPO in Iowa through me, even though Story County's short marketplace list has none. Here is how Ames investors who rent to students fit coverage to each year.
Hi, I'm Sam Jaber. Investors and landlords in Iowa can buy their own health coverage through me by phone; I'm based in Tampa and licensed in 36 states.
Think of an investor who grew up in Ames, stayed after college, and now owns eleven rental houses and a small apartment building near Campustown, all leased to Iowa State students. August is move-in chaos, May is move-out repairs, and the months in between are steady rent. He's thinking about selling the apartment building and buying single-family homes closer to the research park. He buys his own coverage on HealthCare.gov, and Story County's list is short: two insurers, no PPO.
Story County has 16 individual medical plans for 2026 from two insurers: 9 EPOs and 7 HMOs. Both types generally cover care outside their network only in an emergency. For an investor who travels to see family, takes winters away or scouts property in other states, that's a real limitation.
You can still get a nationwide PPO in Iowa through me, outside the marketplace. Underwriting sets the price, and the network is national rather than central-Iowa only.
The marketplace counts net rental income: rents after mortgage interest, property taxes, insurance, turnover repairs, management and depreciation, plus the household's other income. Premium help is available up to four times the federal poverty level and stops above it.
A sale shifts everything. The credit is figured from modified adjusted gross income, and the gain on a sold building generally shows up there. A heavy turnover year with big repairs can pull income down on paper instead. The state's Medicaid expansion, the Iowa Health and Wellness Plan, covers adults up to 138% of the poverty level according to KFF, and KFF's tracker shows Iowa's Medicaid work requirement starting December 1, 2026.
Credit dollars only work on HealthCare.gov, so in Story County you'll pick one of two insurers' EPOs or HMOs. The choice is mostly about which network includes your doctors in Ames or Des Moines. Price follows.
Next step: Walk me through last year's Schedule E and your doctors, and you'll see the Story County plans that fit after the credit.
A sale can push one year far over the credit line. If you've been getting the credit in advance and the gain lifts your income, you'll settle the excess when you file, and from tax year 2026 there's no limit on that repayment. Decide on coverage before you sign a listing agreement.
At full price, an EPO or HMO tied to central Iowa is a lot to pay for. A private nationwide PPO often makes more sense for a healthy investor. The underwriter reviews your health history and approves, approves with a single condition excluded, or declines. In good health, many investors land under the marketplace's full rate. We go through each plan's benefits before you choose.
Next step: Before you list the building, phone me, and you'll get a nationwide PPO quote next to Story County's unsubsidized prices.
If May's repair bills and a few empty units leave the year near 138% of the poverty line, look carefully before enrolling. The Iowa Health and Wellness Plan may apply, but the new work requirement starts December 1, 2026, so read its rules. When rents recover, update HealthCare.gov and return to a marketplace plan.
Next step: In a thin year, check with me before applying for anything, and we'll work out the household's real number.
Stay with the marketplace at full price. No one is turned away, and a diagnosis can't raise the premium. With only two insurers in Story County, confirm your specialists are in the network before you enroll.
Next step: List your specialists and prescriptions, and I'll tell you which Story County plan keeps them.
Straight answers, no sales pitch.
No. Story County's 2026 marketplace plans are EPOs and HMOs from two insurers.
Yes. Net rental income is part of the household income the credit is figured from.
It usually does. The gain generally raises the income your credit is based on for that year.
Yes. Investors in good health can buy one privately through me.
Let me know your county, who needs a plan, last year's Schedule E picture and any sale on the horizon. I'll match coverage to the year and put prices on it.
The guide for every state, and other work I help with