Curana Health Announces Align Senior Care Iowa for Residents Across 41 Counties

New Institutional Special Needs Plan will expand coordinated care support for nursing home and
assisted living residents beginning in 2027

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa, Sept. 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Curana Health today announced that it will be expanding its Align Senior Care into Iowa, offering Iowans an Institutional Special Needs Plan (I-SNP) designed specifically for nursing home and assisted living residents across 41 Iowa counties. Enrollment will begin October 1, 2026, with benefits effective January 1, 2027.

The Medicare Advantage plan expands Curana Health's longstanding commitment to Iowa's senior housing community, where the organization currently supports more than 196 senior living and skilled nursing communities through its clinical operations. Align Senior Care is designed to support residents with coordinated care, provider collaboration, and services tailored to the needs of nursing home and assisted living populations.

"For many residents living in skilled nursing and assisted living communities, healthcare works best when providers, care teams, and health plans are aligned around the same goals," said Dr. Brian Whyms, Curana Health Medical Director, Iowa. "Align Senior Care Iowa reflects our long-term commitment to Iowa communities and is designed to bring those stakeholders together around a more connected care experience, one focused on improving access, reducing fragmentation, and supporting residents with care models designed specifically for their needs."

As Iowa's senior population continues to grow and senior housing providers navigate increasing clinical complexity, coordinated care models have become an important tool for improving resident outcomes and supporting care givers. Curana Health believes there is an opportunity to bring additional coordination and support to residents, families, and operators through a model designed specifically for senior housing settings.

Curana Health will launch the new plan with Western Home Communities and other Iowa operating partners, whose residents will be among the first to access Align Senior Care Iowa. Together, these organizations bring deep experience serving older adults across the state and share Curana Health's focus on models of care designed around the needs of nursing home and assisted living populations.

"Our partnership with Curana Health reflects Western Home Communities' commitment to embracing innovation to achieve better outcomes for our residents," said Kris Hansen, CEO of Western Home Communities. "Align Senior Care Iowa will provide residents with a more coordinated care experience while offering families greater confidence that their loved ones' needs are being understood and supported."

An I-SNP is a Medicare Advantage plan designed specifically for individuals who reside in nursing homes or assisted living communities. Unlike traditional Medicare Advantage plans, I-SNPs are built around the needs of senior housing populations and emphasize care coordination, on-site support, and collaboration among providers, facilities and families.

Curana Health currently supports more than 196 communities across Iowa, including more than 135 senior living communities and 61 skilled nursing facilities. The organization also supports approximately 6,000 primary care patients and more than 120 providers statewide.

Additional details about Align Senior Care Iowa, including eligibility, service area, and enrollment information, will be shared closer to the October 2026 enrollment period.

About Curana Health
Curana Health is the nation's largest provider-led primary care company serving senior living and skilled nursing communities. No other organization unifies on-site clinical care, value-based payment programs, and Medicare Advantage plans in one integrated model. Driven by a mission to improve the health, happiness, and dignity of seniors, Curana delivers care for over 250,000 residents in more than 2,000 communities, across 34 states. With fewer unnecessary hospitalizations, longer lengths of stay, and high quality outcomes, Curana Health proves that better care and better economics aren't trade-offs, they're proof of the same commitment. 

SOURCE Curana Health