Eligibility and Plan Options
The University contributes towards the cost of health insurance for regular benefit-eligible employees working 50% time or greater.
You have two health plan options:
Enrollment in the university health plan is optional.
Enrollment Instructions
To Waive UI Health Coverage
- Select Option 90 from the drop-down menu to waive UI Health Coverage.
- You'll be prompted to answer a minimum value coverage question. You must answer it to avoid an error.
- If you do not complete the attestation during enrollment, you will not be able to finish your remaining benefit selections and will be defaulted to no health coverage.
Important: You must waive coverage each year during the open enrollment period.
- Failure to waive and answer the Minimum Value Coverage question will limit your University Credits to a maximum of $500 for the following year.
- Note: House Staff and Fellows are not eligible for University Credits.
- Once you complete the attestation, select the blue "Recalculate" button to refresh your elections.
Minimum Value Coverage Attestation When Waiving Health Insurance
To Elect UI Health Coverage
- Choose the appropriate option code for your desired plan - UISelect or UIChoice - and coverage level (e.g., Employee Only, Employee + Spouse).
- The option code appears in parentheses next to the plan price.
- UISelect is only available to Iowa residents.
- If you choose UISelect, you'll be asked to confirm that you currently reside in Iowa or will move to Iowa within 30 days.
- You must answer this question, or you will receive an error and will not be able to finish the remaining benefit elections.
UISelect Acknowledgement Regarding Iowa Residency Status
- Review and update your dependents section.
- Add or remove any individuals who should be or should not be covered under your health coverage.
Visit the "To Add or Remove Dependents" section for more detailed instructions. - Select the blue "Recalculate" button to refresh your dependents list and health plan election.
- Add or remove any individuals who should be or should not be covered under your health coverage.
To Add or Remove Dependents to or from UI Health Coverage
To Add a Dependent:
- Locate the dependent under the "Eligible Dependents Not Covered" section.
- Check the box next to their name.
- Click the recalculate button - the dependent will then appear under "Covered Dependents."
To Remove a Dependent:
- Navigate to the "Covered Dependents" section.
- Uncheck the box next to the dependent's name.
- Click the recalculate button to update your coverage, and the dependent will then appear under the "Eligible Dependents Not Covered" section.
Frequently Asked Questions
My dependent is not showing up under "Eligible Dependents Not Covered" - How do I add them?
You must add your dependent before making your elections.
Exit your enrollment event and re-enter to the main benefits enrollment screen.
- Select the black button labeled: "I AGREE - VIEW & UPDATE DEPENDENTS/BENEFICIARIES'
- To add someone new, click the "Add New Dependent/Beneficiary" button, and enter their information requested:
- If you don’t have a Social Security number at this time, enter all 9s in the box and update it later by calling our office.
- Select the “Submit” button. And then choose the “Return to Benefits Enrollment” link to re-enter your event to continue making your elections.
- You should now see your dependent you just entered under the "Eligible Dependents Not Covered" section.
My partner is now my spouse and I am trying to add them to coverage. The system will not allow me to remove them or update their information. What should I do?
Please email the University Benefits Office at benefits@uiowa.edu and one of our staff members will update the system on the back end. Please also send the date of your marriage so we can update the records appropriately.