Benefits Enrollment

House staff members will become benefit eligible the first of the month following their contract start date. For example, if a house staff contract begins June 24, the member will become benefit eligible on July 1. If the contract begins July 1 for a member, they will be benefit eligible effective August 1.

Newly benefit-eligible employees have 30 days from their start/new eligibility date to enroll in benefits. If the member does not enroll within Employee Self Service before the 30-day deadline, they may not enroll again until the annual open enrollment (late fall, with a Jan. 1 begin date) or if they experience a qualifying event.

Prior to completing the benefits enrollment, it is a good idea to review your options. Below are the plans and other benefits that house staff members can participate in here at the University of Iowa. 

A quick overview House Staff Benefits Overview (pdf). 

Health Insurance

• UIChoice Health Insurance
• UISelect Health Insurance

Gender Transition - All of the health plans offered through the University of Iowa provide benefits for medically necessary covered services associated with gender transition when ordered by a health professional. Please contact Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield at 800-643-9724 for more information and to discuss the gender transition medical policy.

Dental Insurance 

• Dental Insurance

Life, AD&D and LTD Insurance 

• Group Life Insurance
• Voluntary Term Life Insurance
• Voluntary Term Life Insurance for your spouse/partner/dependent
• Accidental death and dismemberment insurance
• Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Liability and Malpractice Coverage (GME Office)

Other Benefits

• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Travel Assistance Programs - Domestic Travel and Personal International Travel
• liveWELL - access to a variety of wellness programs, incentive programs and additional information on stress management, nutrition, weight loss, exercise and other health resources.
• Employee Assistance Program - EAP provides brief counseling and assessment for staff. 

Retirement

Per state law, House Staff Physicians are exempt from participation in the university's required retirement programs. (Exception: Iowa Public Employees Retirement System (IPERS) or TIAA retirement plan - Fellow Associates only)

• Voluntary Retirement Savings Program - open to all House Staff who receive earned compensation reportable on IRS Form W2 and subject to federal and state withholding.

Additional Information

For information on purchasing insurance after employment ends or during unpaid leave of absence: Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA)

Dual University of Iowa employed spouses/partners and any children may not double insure each other or dependents under the plans where the University contributes towards the cost of the plans. This includes the health, dental, and AD&D insurance policies - an individual may only be included once under these policies.

Double Spouse Credit for health and dental insurance is available if the dual-employed couple are eligible for the UIChoice and UISelect health insurance plans and are also covering dependents.

Benefits Not Available

• Voluntary Vision Insurance through Two Rivers Insurance Services (Avesis / eyeMED) is not available for House Staff enrollment.
  • Alternative Options:
    • Both UIChoice and UISelect cover annual eye exams and if enrolled in Dental Insurance, you may receive a discount through DeltaVision if you visit those specific providers.
    • You may also submit any eligible vision out-of-pocket costs to a Health Care Flexible Spending Account for reimbursement. 
       
• General and Shared Savings Credits do not apply to House Staff members.
   
• A mandatory Retirement Plan with university contributions through TIAA or IPERS is not available for the majority of House Staff members. Please visit the Retirement section above for more information. 

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