This page provides a summary side-by-side comparison of health plan options for benefits-eligible university employees. Use it to inform your health insurance selections and compare each health plan’s network coverage, deductibles, copays, coinsurance, out-of-pocket maximums, and more.
High-level Comparison
View and print out the 2026 high-level health plan comparison document.
Description of Plans
| UISelect (Blue HMO) | UIChoice (blue POS) |
|---|---|
UISelect is designed for employees who value high-quality coverage and want more say over their spending to meet financial needs. Members would pay lower monthly premiums than UIChoice, and if they use their coverage, they will pay a higher out-of-pocket cost for medical services. **Employees MUST live in Iowa to enroll in this plan. Highlights:
| UIChoice is a high-quality plan with extensive coverage inside and outside Iowa. Premiums for UIChoice are higher than UISelect, and the out-of-pocket costs for medical services are lower. Highlights:
|
2026 Active Employee Rates
| Coverage Option | UISelect | UIChoice |
|---|---|---|
| Employee Only | $0 | $95 |
| Employee + Spouse | $325 | $456 |
| Employee + Child(ren) | $266 | $372 |
| Employee + Family | $349 | $488 |
| Double Spouse Family | $0 | $244 |
*The rates listed above are for active employees. Premium rates are effective from January 1, 2026, to December 31, 2026. Please visit the Retiree Health Insurance Rates page to review retirees' rates.
Providers by Level for UISelect and UIChoice
| Level of Providers | UISelect (Blue HMO) Providers | UIChoice (Blue POS) Providers |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | University of Iowa Hospital and affiliated clinics, UI Health Care Medical Center Downtown*, UI Urgent Care, UI QuickCare, Washington County Hospital and Clinics, and The Iowa Clinic, Des Moines, IA | University of Iowa Hospital and affiliated clinics, UI Health Care Medical Center Downtown*, UI Urgent Care, UI QuickCare, Washington County Hospital and Clinics, and The Iowa Clinic, Des Moines, IA |
| Level 2 | Providers in the Wellmark Blue HMO network | Providers from the Wellmark Blue POS network |
| Level 3 | Not covered, except in emergencies. (Dependent children attending college, long-term travelers, and families living apart may be covered through guest membership) | Participating providers from the BlueCard network. Non-participating providers outside of the network (subject to balance billing) |
Important Note About Providers:
Some providers at UI Health Care Medical Center Downtown are independent, meaning they are not employed by University of Iowa Health Care and are not classified as Level 1 providers.
Before scheduling an appointment or receiving care, employees should confirm their provider’s participation status with Wellmark Blue Cross & Blue Shield. This helps ensure you receive the highest level of benefits available under your health plan.
To review the list of UI Health Care providers, visit the Find a Provider webpage.
Plan Provisions for UISelect and UIChoice
| Plan Provision | UISelect | UIChoice | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1: | Level 2: | Level 1: | Level 2: | Level 3: | |
| Annual Deductible | Single: $500 Family: $1,000 | Single: $950 Family: $1,900 | None. Deductible for inpatient care only for levels 1, 2, and 3. See Inpatient Care Deductible below. | ||
| Annual Inpatient Care Deductible | See Annual Deductible above. | See Annual Deductible above. | $500 deductible, followed by 10% coinsurance | $750 deductible, followed by 10% coinsurance | $1,000 deductible, followed by 10% coinsurance |
| Coinsurance | 15% | 25% | 10% | 20% | Varies based on location and service. |
| Copayment | Primary Care: Specialists: | Primary Care: Specialists: | $15 copay | $30 copay | No copay. Subject to coinsurance depending on service. |
| Annual Out-of-Pocket Maximum (OPM) | Single: $2,700 Family: $4,700 | Single: $4,100 Family: $8,100 | Levels 1 and 2 Blue Card Participating Single: $2,300 Family: $4,600 | Level 3 Blue Card Participating and Non-participating providers: Single: $3,000 Family: $6,000 | |
| Preventive Care | $0 copay not subject to deductible | $0 copay not subject to deductible | $0 copay | $0 copay | Participating Providers: Non-participating Providers: |
| Doc on Demand | $0 copay | $0 copay | $0 copay | $0 copay | $0 copay |
| UI QuickCare | $10 copay | N/A | $10 copay | N/A | N/A |
| Urgent Care | $15 copay | $40 copay | $15 copay | $30 copay | 50% coinsurance |
Office Visits primary copay will apply to chiropractic care, physical, speech, and occupational therapies. | Primary Care: Specialists Care: | Primary Care: Specialists Care: | $15 copay | $30 copay | 50% coinsurance |
| Routine Eye & Hearing Exams | $40 copay | $55 copay | $15 copay | $30 copay | 50% coinsurance |
| Mental Health Care Visits | $0 copay | $0 copay | $0 copay | $0 copay | $0 copay |
| Emergency Room Visits | $150 copay followed by 10% coinsurance (copay waived if admitted and Level 1 deductible applied followed by Level 1 coinsurance) | $150 copay followed by 10% coinsurance (copay waived if admitted and Level 2 deductible applied followed by Level 2 coinsurance) | $125 copay followed by 10% coinsurance (copay waived if admitted and Level 1 deductible applied followed by Level 1 coinsurance) | $125 copay followed by 10% coinsurance (copay waived if admitted and Level 2 deductible applied followed by Level 2 coinsurance) | $125 copay followed by 10% coinsurance (copay waived if admitted and Level 3 deductible applied followed by Level 3 coinsurance) |
Prescriptions Drugs
Plan Formulary Name:
- Blue Rx Value Plus (UISelect)
- Blue Rx Complete (UIChoice)
To review each specific Wellmark formulary drug list, please visit the Wellmark Prescription and Drug Lists webpage. Then, scroll down and choose the specific drug plan link you wish to access and enter the name of the drug in the top left-hand corner to begin your search.
Note: Formulary Drug Lists are best viewed in Chrome.
| Tier of Drug | 2026 UISelect Blue Rx Value Plus | 2026 UIChoice Blue Rx Complete |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 Generic Drugs | $0 copay | $0 copay |
| Tier 2 Name-brand drugs | 30% coinsurance | 30% coinsurance |
| Tier 3 Name-brand, non-formulary drugs | 50% coinsurance | 50% coinsurance |
| Tier 4 Name-brand, non-formulary drugs | N/A | 50% coinsurance |
| Pharmacy Out-of-Pocket Maximum | Employee: $2,450 Family: $4,900 | Employee: $1,850 Family: $3,700 |
ABOUT OUR SITE:
The information on our website describes only the highlights of the plans and does not constitute official plan documents. Additional terms and conditions may apply. If there are any discrepancies between the information contained herein and the official plan documents, the plan documents will govern. For more detailed information, contact Wellmark Blue Cross/Blue Shield at 800-524-9242 (TTY: 888-781-4262), Monday through Friday, from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Central Time). For more efficient service, please have your member ID number handy - you can find it on the front of your card.