The University of Iowa collects information to verify dependents enrolled in our health and dental plans meet the eligibility guidelines for plan coverage. To cover your spouse, domestic partner, and/or dependent child(ren), action is required on your part.

You are required to submit documentation to University Benefits to verify their eligibility within four weeks from the time you add your dependent(s) to health and/or dental coverage. If complete documentation is not received within four weeks, your unverified dependent(s) will be removed from coverage and cannot be added without a qualifying event.

Please note, documents submitted must be in English.

Dependent Eligibility Verification Process

You will be notified by email when documentation for a newly added dependent is required.

  1. Please go to Employee Self Service and locate the Verify Dependents link.
  2. Dependents for whom documentation is required will be listed, and a detailed list of documents required to verify eligibility based on dependent type.
  3. Documents should be uploaded through Employee Self Service; University Benefits will not accept paper copies.
  4. Please follow the instructions in Employee Self Service to add and submit documents.   

Required Documentation

All required documents must contain a date, employee name, and dependent's name. You may block out personal information such as Social Security numbers, account numbers, and financial information.

Please visit the Required Documentation List for more information. 

The University of Iowa reserves the right to require documentation to substantiate a dependent's eligibility status at any time.  

Dependent Eligibility Verification Frequently Asked Questions

Once your documentation has been submitted through Employee Self Service, it will be reviewed by University Benefits. You will receive a confirmation email when your dependent(s) is verified. If further documentation is required, you will be contacted by email.

You are required to submit documentation to University Benefits to verify their eligibility within four weeks from the time you add your dependent(s) to health and/or dental coverage. If complete documentation is not received within four weeks, your unverified dependent(s) will be removed from coverage and cannot be added without a qualifying event.

No. To provide documentation for your unverified dependent(s), please go to Employee Self Service and locate the Verify Dependents link. Dependents for whom documentation is required will be listed as well as detailed list of documents required to verify eligibility based on dependent type. Documents should be uploaded through Employee Self Service, paper copies will not be accepted by University Benefits. Please follow the instructions in Employee Self Service to add and submit documents. For assistance, contact University Benefits at benefits@uiowa.edu.

The University of Iowa is sensitive to the rising costs of healthcare for its employees and feels verifying dependent eligibility is necessary to help make sure its health benefit plans are compliant with state law, competitive, and cost effective. This program also helps the University of Iowa manage overall plan costs, which benefits all employees.

Protecting personal information is a priority to the University of Iowa. When submitting your tax documentation, only the top portion which includes the names of the employee, spouse, and any dependent child(ren) is required. Please mark out Social Security Numbers, as well as any financial information on documents.

All documents are securely stored for 90 days following submission.  Upon expiration of the retention period, all documents and electronic files will be securely destroyed. Only University of Iowa employees directly involved in the dependent verification process will have access to these documents.