Welcome to the University of Iowa!
Starting a new job is exciting, and the University Benefits Office is here to support you from day one. Our goal is to help you feel informed and confident as you begin your work at Iowa.
We offer a competitive benefits package that supports you and your family throughout your career. From health and dental coverage to retirement plans and wellness resources, our benefits are designed to support your well-being and enhance your work experience.
As you settle into your new role, we encourage you to explore the benefits available to you. This page includes helpful resources to guide you through your first few weeks and beyond.
Who is eligible for University Benefits?
All faculty and staff hired or transferred into a regular benefit-eligible position working 50% or greater are eligible to enroll in benefits.
Employees may also enroll their eligible dependents, including spouses or partners and dependent children, at the same time.
Please note: If you add dependents during enrollment, you will be required to verify their eligibility after your elections have been submited to University Benefits. Read more about dependent eligibility under the How to Enroll section on this webpage.
Important Dates and Deadlines
- Benefits Start Date
Your benefits begin on the first of the month after your hire or transfer date.
Example: Hired January 2 → benefits start February 1. - Benefits Enrollment (Within 30 Days)
You must enroll in benefits through Employee Self-Service within 30 calendar days of your hire or transfer date. - Mandatory Retirement Plan Enrollment (Within 60 days)
You must enroll in your mandatory retirement plan within 60 calendar days of your hire or newly eligible date.
Benefits Overview Materials
You'll find helpful resources to guide you through your benefits:
- New Faculty and Staff Benefits Guide
- Presentation slides
- Recorded Presentation
Feel free to review these materials at your own pace. If you have questions, we're here to help - just reach out!
Benefits Overview Materials
English Materials
Spanish Materials
French Materials
Benefits Overview Recorded Presentation
Health and Prescription Drug Coverage
Administered by Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Iowa
As a new employee, you can choose from two health insurance plans: UISelect and UIChoice. These options give you flexibility to choose coverage that fits your needs and budget.
Compare your plan options:
- UISelect: Lower premiums, higher out-of-pocket costs; Available to Iowa residents only and covers only Iowa-based providers.
- UIChoice: Higher premiums, lower out-of-pocket costs; Includes a nationwide provider network and coverage.
- Which plan may be right for you: UISelect may work well if you expect to use fewer health care services and get your care here in Iowa. UIChoice may be a better option if you expect to need more care or want access to providers outside of Iowa.
University of Iowa Health Care providers are considered Level 1, the lowest -cost option. You do not need to select a provider level during enrollment. Instead, your costs are based on the provider you choose when you receive care.
Learn more about the health plans by reviewing a side-by-side comparison.
Duplicate coverage
You and your dependents cannot be enrolled in more than one University of Iowa health or dental plan at the same time.
If your spouse or domestic partner also works at the University and you need family coverage, you can enroll everyone under one policy and receive the double spouse credit.
This situation is not considered duplicate coverage.
To receive the double spouse credit, you must submit a request form within 30 days of your hire date or qualifying event. Enrollment in the program is not automatic.
Dental Insurance
Administered by Delta Dental of Iowa
The Dental II plan offers comprehensive dental coverage with a strong focus on preventive care to help you manage your dental costs.
The plan includes:
- Routine preventive care is covered at 100%
- Two exams and cleanings each benefit year
- A $2,000 annual maximum benefit per member, with the opportunity to carry over unused amounts up to $4,000
- Orthodontic coverage for all ages
- Access to additional member discounts
You can visit any licensed dental provider. The plan offeres a three-tier provider network:
- Tier 1
PPO (preferred provider organization) - lower out-of-pocket costs - Tier 2
Premier providers - Tier 3
Non-participating providers
You will usually pay less when you choose a PPO provider. You do not need to select a provider tier during enrollment—your cost depends on the provider you visit at the time of care.
Learn more about the Dental II plan.
Life Insurance (Mandatory and Voluntary plans)
Administered by Principal Financial Group
As a university employee, you have access to life insurance coverage to help protect you and your family. The university provides basic group life coverage at no cost to you, and you may choose to purchase additional coverage.
University-Paid Group Life Insurance
This benefit is provided automatically at no cost to you.
- Coverage equals two times your annual salary
- Maximum benefit amount: $400,000
- Employees may increase their group life insurance coverage beyond the university-paid 2x salary benefit. The university contribution remains equal to the cost of the 2x salary coverage, and the employee pays the difference in premium for the additional coverage elected.
- Regular benefit-eligible employees with an annual salary greater than $25,000 may elect to reduce their coverage to $50,000 and receive a $40 shared savings credit
Learn more about the mandatory Group Life Insurance plan.
Term-Life Insurance for Employees
This optional coverage allows you to purchase additional life insurance beyond the university-paid benefit.
- Choose from a variety of coverage amounts
- Maximum benefit amount: $1,000,000
- Premiums are age-based and increase at ages 40, 50, and 60
- Enrollment is required; coverage is not automatic
Learn more about the Voluntary Term-Life Insurance plan.
Term-Life Insurance for Dependents
You may also elect life insurance coverage for your eligible family members.
- Coverage is available for eligible spouses, domestic partners, and dependent children
- You must enroll in voluntary term life insurance for yourself before enrolling eligible dependents
- Dependent coverage cannot exceed 100% of your elected employee voluntary life insurance amount
Learn more about the Voluntary Term-Life Insurance for your spouse and dependents.
Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
Administered by HealthEquity/WageWorks, Inc.
A Flexible Spending Account (FSA) lets you set aside pre-tax dollars to pay for eligible health care and/or dependent care expenses.
You can enroll in:
- A Health Care FSA
- A Dependent Care FSA
- Both accounts, if eligible
Because FSA elections are generally final for the plan year, it's important to estimate your expenses carefully before making your contribution amount election. You can only make changes during the year if you have a qualifying life event or during the annual Open Enrollment period.
2026 Annual Contribution Limits
- Health Care FSA: Up to $3,300
- Dependent Care FSA: Up to $7,500 per household
Important:
FSAs are different from Health Savings Accounts (HSAs).
- FSA funds must generally be used during the plan year and are subject to the plan's forfeiture rules ("use it or lose it").
- HSA funds stay in your account and roll over year to year.
If your spouse contributes to an HSA through their employer, you may not be eligible to contribute to a Health Care FSA through the University. This could affect HSA eligibility, so review plan details carefully before enrolling.
Learn more about the University of Iowa FSA program.
Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance
Administered by Zurich Insurance Group
Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) insurance provides financial protection if a covered accident results in serious injury or death. You can enroll without answering medical questions, and premiums are paid through convenient payroll deductions.
AD&D coverage helps protect you and your loved ones by providing benefits for covered accidents that happen almost anywhere - at work, at home, or while traveling.
Coverage details:
- Available for you and eligible family members
- Choose employee-only coverage or include a spouse/domestic partner and/or dependent children
- Coverage amounts are offered in $100,000 increments, up to $1,000,000.
- Some exclusions apply
Learn more about the AD&D insurance plan.
University-Paid Long-Term Disability (LTD)
Administered by Principal Financial Group
Long-term disability (LTD) insurance helps protect your income if you cannot work due to a qualifying illness, injury, or pregnancy. Most disabilities are caused by medical conditions rather than accidents, so this coverage provides important financial support during longer absences.
The University of Iowa provides this required benefit at no cost to regular faculty and staff with a permanent appointment of 50% time or greater. Enrollment is automatic when you are hired—no action is needed.
If your claim is approved, the plan provides:
- 60% income replacement based on your monthly salary
- A maximum monthly benefit of $25,000
- Access to rehabilitation and return-to-work support programs
Benefits typically begin after a 90-working-day waiting period.
For complete plan details, visit the
Long-Term Disability benefits page
Retirement Benefits (Mandatory and Voluntary)
Mandatory Retirement Plans
Every employee (except house staff, fellows, adjunct faculty, and students) with employment expected to last six months or more MUST participate in a retirement program.
Eligible staff members may choose to participate in either IPERS or TIAA for their mandatory plan.
- IPERS
The IPERS retirement plan is a defined benefit plan. Retirement income is contingent on a formula based on your years of service and salary earned. - TIAA
The University Funded Retirement Plan is a defined contribution plan. Retirement income is contingent upon your individual elected investments and returns.
IMPORTANT:
Your choice of a retirement plan is an irrevocable decision that must be made within 60 days of your hire date (or if transferring from an ineligible appointment, your eligibility date).
Compare the two mandatory plans
Voluntary Retirement Savings
Employees have the option to make additional pre-tax or after-tax contributions into a retirement account. Participation in these programs is voluntary, and the University does not contribute. Programs include:
- 457(b) Deferred Compensation Program from TIAA
- 403(b) Voluntary Retirement Savings Program from multiple vendors, including TIAA
Voluntary Benefit Programs
Administered by Various Vendors
As a benefits-eligible employee, you may choose to enroll in or participate in a variety of voluntary insurance and benefit programs offered through approved third-party vendors. These programs provide additional opportunities to protect your health, finances, family, and personal well-being.
Enrollment varies by program. Some voluntary benefits can be elected through the University of Iowa benefits enrollment system, while others require enrollment directly with the vendor. Please review the program information for specific enrollment instructions.
Voluntary Insurance Programs
- Short-Term Disability Insurance
- Voluntary Vision Insurance
- Pet Insurance and Pet Benefits
- Optional Insurance and Benefit Programs
Additional Programs & Resources
- Adoption Assistance Program
- Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) resources
- Employee Discount Program
These programs are completely voluntary and are offered at discounted group rates available to University of Iowa employees. For employees paid monthly, premiums may be conveniently paid through payroll deduction.
Please note that these plans are not administered, sponsored, or endorsed by the University of Iowa. The university works with participating vendors solely to facilitate payroll deduction for eligible employees. The vendors determine eligibility requirements, coverage provisions, premiums, enrollment processes, and customer service support.
Additional important information:
- The university does not contribute toward the cost of these voluntary programs.
- Premiums are paid on an after-tax basis.
- Expenses incurred through these programs are not eligible for reimbursement through a Flexible Spending Account (FSA).
- Questions regarding coverage, claims, enrollment, or eligibility should be directed to the vendor providing the program.
In addition to these voluntary benefits, the university offers a variety of resources to support your overall well-being, including the liveWELL program, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), family and work-life resources, and other wellness initiatives.
Learn more about all Additional Benefits & Programs by visiting the University Human Resources website.
Time-Off Benefits
At the University of Iowa, we believe that a healthy work-life balance is essential to your well-being, productivity, and success. That's why we offer a comprehensive package of paid time-off benefits designed to help you rest, recharge, care for yourself and your loved ones, and manage life's important moments.
Paid Holidays
The University of Iowa observes nine paid holidays each calendar year, giving employees time to celebrate, connect with family and friends, and recharge throughout the year. Holiday schedules may vary depending on an employee's workweek and position.
Vacation and Sick Leave
The University of Iowa offers paid vacation and sick leave to eligible faculty and staff to support your well-being, health needs, and work-life balance. Leave is earned each month, and the amount you earn depends on your role and years of service. Part-time employees earn leave on a prorated basis.
Vacation leave can be used for planned time away from work. Sick leave can be used for illness, injury, medical appointments, pregnancy and childbirth, caring for a family member, and funeral leave.
Learn more about vacation and sick leave eligibility and accruals on the Vacation and Sick Leave webpage.
Family Caregiving Leave
When a member of your immediate family needs care due to illness or injury, Family Caregiving Leave provides eligible employees with paid time away from work to support their loved ones during challenging times.
Learn more about Family Caregiving Leave.
Additional Leave Programs
The University offers a variety of additional leave programs to support employees through significant life events and unique circumstances, including:
- Iowa Paid Parental Leave (IPPL) for welcoming a new child through birth, adoption, or foster placement.
- Catastrophic Leave for employees experiencing a serious illness, injury, or qualifying emergency.
- Leaves of Absence for personal, medical, military, educational, and other approved reasons.
Together, these programs provide flexibility and support when you need it most, helping you balance your professional responsibilities with your personal and family needs.
$ 90
Every benefits-eligible employee receives the general benefit credit each month.
$ 25
If an employee waives university-offered dental insurance, they may receive an additional $25 credit.
$ 40
If an employee elects only $50,000 in group life insurance, they may receive an additional $40 credit.
Double Spouse Credit
Available to married employees or domestic partners who both work for the UI in benefit-eligible positions and need family coverage.
Employee Self-Service
Employee Self‑Service is your primary connection to your employment at the University of Iowa. Using it early—and often—helps you stay informed, paid accurately, and confident in managing your information. For new employees, becoming familiar with Employee Self‑Service is an important first step toward a smooth start at Iowa.
What is Employee Self-Service
Employee Self‑Service is the University of Iowa’s secure online system for managing your personal, job, pay, and benefits information. It's the main place to view and update your employment details—available anytime.
Key actions:
- Update personal and tax information
- View pay statements and W‑2 forms
- Enroll in and manage benefits
- Submit time and review leave
- Access job details, training, and employment documents
Why Employee Self-Service Matters for New Hires
Employee Self‑Service helps new employees get set up correctly from day one.
- Ensures accurate pay through direct deposit and tax setup
- Benefits enrollment and changes completed and stored
- Access to your compliances and trainings
- Lets you manage your personal information
- Serves as an official university record
Use Employee Self-Service Often
Employee Self‑Service is designed to be used throughout your employment.
Employees should review it regularly to:
- Check pay statements and tax forms
- Confirm benefits coverage and life event changes
- Monitor leave balances and time entries
- Update contact information
Regular use helps you respond quickly to changes and avoid unexpected issues.
Set Up Two-Step Login
Employee Self-Service contains sensitive personal information, Duo Two-Step Login adds an extra layer of security by requiring a quick phone approval after entering your HawkID and password.
General Overview of the Enrollment Process
Enrolling in benefits is an important part of starting your new role at the University of Iowa.
When to Enroll
All new hires will have a New Hire Enrollment event available in Employee Self-Service on their start date or shortly after.
In some cases—such as when a start date falls on a non-business day or when hire processing is delayed—it may take one to two business days for the event to appear.
If you do not see your enrollment event after this time, please contact University Benefits at benefits@uiowa.edu.
Important Benefit Enrollment Deadlines
- You must complete your benefits enrollment within 30 days of your hire date.
- If you do not enroll by the deadline, you will need to:
- Wait until the next Annual Open Enrollment period to make elections, or
- Experience a qualifying life event that will allow you make changes to benefits
- If you do not enroll by the deadline, you will need to:
- Make your mandatory retirement plan election within 60 days of your hire date.
- If you do not enroll by the deadline:
- You will be defaulted into the IPERS retirement plan for the remainder of your employment at the University.
- You will not be able to change your election.
- If you do not enroll by the deadline:
Review and Gather Information
Before enrolling, review the New Employee Benefits Guide and retirement plan options to learn about available benefits, costs, and enrollment deadlines. Consider your health care needs, dependent coverage, and retirement plan choice. Have Social Security numbers and birthdates available for any dependents or beneficiaries you plan to add.
Review Your Address and Access the Enrollment System
Review your address in Employee Self-Service before enrolling to ensure you receive insurance ID cards and other important communications in a timely manner.
- Update Address: My Self-Service → Personal Information → Address/Phone Change
Now that your address has been verified, it's time to complete your benefits and retirement enrollment through the Benefits & Wellness menu.
- Benefits Enrollment: Benefits & Wellness → Benefits → Benefits Enrollment
- Retirement Enrollment: Benefits & Wellness → Retirement → Retirement Enrollment
Add Dependents & Beneficiaries
Before making your benefit elections, use the Add/Update Dependents & Beneficiaries page to add any eligible dependents and designate your beneficiaries. Even if you are not enrolling dependents, you must designate at least one beneficiary for your mandatory group life insurance plan. Once completed, return to Benefits Enrollment to make your benefit elections.
Make Benefit Elections
Benefits Enrollment
Complete your enrollment event by reviewing and selecting your benefit options. You may enroll in or waive coverage for all available plans (except for Group Life and LTD).
Retirement Enrollment
Eligible employees are automatically enrolled in IPERS on their hire date so retirement contributions can begin immediately. Employees who wish to participate in TIAA may select the "Enroll in TIAA" button. If you do not make a selection, you will remain in IPERS throughout your employment.
Review Costs and Payroll Impact
While in the enrollment system, you can select the Recalculate button as often as needed. This allows you to review the summary and see how your benefit elections impact payroll deductions, credits, and employer contributions.
If you need assistance understanding your Enrollment Account Overview, visit our Frequently Asked Questions section on the Benefits Enrollment Help webpage.
Confirmation & Dependent Verification
Review your selections and submit your enrollment. Watch for an email from the Benefits Office notifying you of your confirmation statement to review. You will only have 5 days to make any changes to your elections.
Dependent Eligibility Verification
If you added dependents to coverage, University Benefits will send you a separate email when the Verify Dependent link becomes available in Employee Self-Service. You must complete the required verification within 4 weeks of receiving that email to ensure your dependents remain covered.
Ready to Enroll?
Visit the Benefits Enrollment Help page for step-by-step instructions and resources to guide you through the process.
Confirmation of Your Elections
After submitting your elections to the Benefits Office, within 24-48 business hours, you should receive an email notifying you that a confirmation statement is ready for your review in Employee Self-Service.
This statement is confirming your recent elections for benefits.
- Review your statement carefully! These elections will remain in effect and cannot be changed unless you experience a qualifying life event such as a change in family status, or in some cases, your employment situation.
- If an error has been made in recording your elections, please note the necessary corrections under the Request Change feature within your Benefits Confirmation page in Employee Self-service. Please be very specific in the changes you need made as our office manually updates your benefit changes.
- The option to request corrections will only be available for 5 days following the confirmation statement date. You can find your change request deadline noted in the top paragraph of your statement.
- If no changes are needed, no further action is required.
Dependent Eligibility Verification
If you added dependents to your health and/or dental coverage, you will be required to submit documentation to verify their eligibility. You will be sent an automated email from University Benefits once your Verify Dependents link becomes active in Employee Self-Service.
- You must submit documents to verify each added dependent listed within your Verify Dependents link within 4 weeks of receiving the notification.
- All documents must be in English and must be uploaded through Employee Self-Service. University Benefits cannot accept physical paper copies. You may block out personal information such as Social Security numbers, account numbers, and financial information.
- If the required documentation is not received within 4 weeks of adding your dependents, your unverified dependent(s) will be removed from coverage and cannot be added without a qualifying event.
- If you are unable to provide the required documentation within the 4 week timeframe due to a delay in retrieving the specific documents, you may request an extension of time. The email reminders will include instructions on how to complete that process.
- Verifications are processed in the order they are received and it can take up to 10 business days for completion of verification.
- You will receive a verification email once your documentation has been reviewed and your dependent(s) have been verified or when your request for an extension of time has been reviewed. If the auditor has additional questions or you are missing documentation, we reach out to you directly via email.
Coverage Effective Date
Your benefits will become active on the first of the month following your hire or newly eligible date.
For example, if you were hired on June 3, as long as you enrolled in your benefits within your first 30 days of employment, your benefits will take effect on July 1.
ID Cards and Account Setup
Benefit Cards
Insurance carriers will mail ID cards to your home address, if applicable. Cards typically arrive within 10-14 business days after the Benefits Office processes your enrollment elections.
- Please ensure your address is up to date in Employee Self-Service to avoid delays in receiving important benefit information.
- All ID cards are issued in the policyholder's name only. Your spouse/partner and dependent children should use the card issued in your name.
- Additional ID cards may be requested through the applicable carrier's online member portal.
- If you enrolled in a Health Care FSA, or if unused credits were automatically deposited into a Health Care FSA, HealthEquity will mail you a HealthEquity Visa Card that can be used to pay for eligible health care expenses directly from your FSA account.
- Many benefit providers offer free mobile apps that provide access to digital ID cards and other benefit information from your smartphone.
Account Setup
After your benefit enrollments have been processed, you can begin setting up your online accounts with the applicable benefit providers. This typically occurs within a few weeks following your enrollment submission. Setting up these accounts provides convenient access to plan information, digital ID cards (when available), claims details, account balances, and other important benefits resources.
- Health Insurance: Wellmark
- Dental Insurance: Delta Dental
- HealthEquity (FSA): Log in through Employee Self-Service → Benefits & Wellness → HealthEquity Health and Dependent Care FSA to activate and manage your portal.
- Mandatory Retirement -
- TIAA - Create and manage your account online.
- IPERS - Enrollment information and account details will be mailed directly to your home address.
- After your retirement account is established, be sure to designate your beneficiaries, as they do not carry forward from your benefits beneficiaries you assigned during enrollment.
Payroll Deductions
Mandatory Retirement
- Mandatory retirement contributions will begin on your first paycheck.
- IPERS is the default mandatory plan that every new benefits-eligible employee is enrolled in until they make another election, if applicable.
- It can depend on the timing of your hire and your election. If you choose to enroll in TIAA, once your election is recorded in the system, our accounting team will credit your IPERS contributions back if payroll processing is completed before your first paycheck.
Benefit Deductions
- Also depends on when you are hired within the month and when you submit your benefit elections.
- If you enroll after the payroll processing deadline for the month, you will not see any benefit deductions on your first paycheck because we were unable to capture your elections before we began the payroll process.
- Your second paycheck you receive, will reflect two months of deductions for benefits to catch you up on premiums for your first month of benefits and the current month.
- Your third paycheck will look much more normal with only the current months deductions for benefits.
Important Dates, Deadlines & Steps
Important Dates and Reminders
| Deadline/Date | Item |
|---|---|
| 1st of the month | You are eligible for benefits on the first of the month following your hire date. |
| 30 Days | Ensure you enroll in your new benefits online via Employee Self-Service within 30 calendar days of your hire date. If you miss the deadline, you cannot enroll in benefits until the annual open enrollment period, which is typically late fall each year, or if you have a qualifying event. Dependent Eligibility Verification Double Spouse Credit |
| 60 Days | Don't forget to select your retirement plan by logging on to Employee Self-Service, and selecting "Retirement Enrollment" under the Benefits section to make your election within 60 calendar days from your hire date. If an election is not made within 60 days from your hire date, you will default into IPERS, and you will not be able to switch plans at a later date. Please do not delay and give your choice serious consideration, as it is an irrevocable decision. Review mandatory retirement plans. |
Your HawkID or HealthCareID and Password
Early on, take time to learn and become comfortable using your HawkID or HealthCareID and password. These credentials are how you access key university and UI Health Care systems, including:
- Employee Self-Service
- Online university services
- Applications such as Epic (for UI Health Care roles)
- Your university or health care email
If you have trouble with your login or password, visit:
- hawkid.uiowa.edu
- healthcareid.uiowa.edu
Obtain Your Photo ID or Badge
Your ID card is your official campus and workplace identification. It may be used for:
- Access to rooms or secured areas based on your job role
- Paying for meals at UI campus and UI Health Care cafés through payroll deduction
- Entering recreational facilities if you have a membership
Iowa One Card (University ID)
The Iowa One Card is the official ID for the university campus.
- Location: Iowa One Card Center, UI Service Center
2700 University Capitol Centre (UCC) - Phone: 319-335-2716
Office hours may vary, so it is a good idea to confirm hours before visiting. Bring a driver’s license or passport to begin the process.
UI Health Care Badge
UI Health Care employees must wear a UI Health Care badge while on duty. In most cases, you will receive your badge on your first day of work.
- Bring a completed badge request form provided by your HR representative.
- Location: UI Health Care Badge Center, C110 General Hospital
- Phone: 319-335-2716
Complete Required Paperwork
In Employee Self-Service
Within Employee Self-Service, you can complete and update:
- Direct deposit for payroll and FSA reimbursements
- W-4 tax information
- Payroll deductions and charge options
Be sure to confirm your name and address are correct by selecting My Self-Service, then Personal Information.
Parking
If you plan to drive to campus, you may want to join the waitlist for a reserved parking spot. Reserved parking has a monthly fee. More information is available on the University of Iowa Parking and Transportation website.
From Your Departmental HR Representative
If you are new to the University of Iowa, your departmental HR representative will contact you to schedule a time to complete your Form I-9. This step is required to confirm your employment eligibility.
Forms You May Need
- Double Spouse Credit
- Domestic Partner Affidavit
- Common Law Marriage Affidavit
- Beneficiary Designation for Trusts
If you aren't finding what you need, visit our Forms & Resources webpage for more.
Benefits Snapshot
Review the available benefits for regular employees.
Perks & Need to Know Services
UI Rec Services New Hire Benefit
As a new faculty or staff member here at the University of Iowa, you have the opportunity to use Recreational Services on the University of Iowa Campus. Recreational Services would love for you to try out their facilities by providing UI new hires with four free visits to any of their facilities to see if the Recreational Services Incentive Program would work for you! Visit the Faculty/Staff Employee Visit Pass page to claim your four free passes.
Employee Health & Well-Being Services
When people feel well, they bring their best selves to work. The University of Iowa makes wellbeing a top priority by fostering a healthy and purposeful environment for all campus members through liveWELL programs and services.
Start Here:
Unlock all your well-being benefits by taking your Personal Health Assessment (PHA)!
Say hello to Blue365®!
As a Blue Cross Blue Shield member, you can register for Blue365 for free and access exclusive discounts throughout the year. Save on a variety of health and wellness products and services designed to support your well-being.
The best part? There are no points to earn and no rewards to unlock. Simply sign up and start saving.
Frequently Asked Questions
I made a mistake with my dependents information. How can I make an Update?
Please email University Benefits at benefits@uiowa.edu and explain what information was entered incorrectly and what it should be updated to. Our office will review your request and make the correction in the system for you.
I want to enroll in Vision insurance but do not see it listed in the enrollment system - where do I enroll?
The Voluntary Vision Insurance plan is administered by World Insurance Associates and is not available through the employee enrollment system in Employee Self-Service.
To enroll, submit an enrollment form directly to World Insurance Associates. Review available plan options and access the enrollment form on the UI vision insurance microsite.
Eligible employees must submit their enrollment form within 30 days of their hire date. Coverage begins on the first day of the month following completion of 30 days of employment.
Need Help with Your Benefits?
We understand that benefits can be complex, and we're here to support you. If you have questions or need help with enrollment, we're happy to connect in the way that works best for you:
- Phone call
- Zoom or Microsoft Teams meeting
- In-person appointment at our office
Our team is here to help you feel confident in your choices and make your transition as smooth as possible.
Contact Us
- Email: benefits@uiowa.edu
- Phone: 319-335-2676
Disclaimer
Our website's information describes only the highlights of the plans and does not constitute official plan documents. Additional terms and conditions may apply. Eligibility for benefits, including dependent coverage, is subject to the requirements and provisions of the applicable plan. Employees are responsible for ensuring that enrolled dependents meet the plan's eligibility requirements and for providing any required documentation to verify eligibility. 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 the applicable vendor or the University Benefits Office.