Open Enrollment is the annual opportunity for benefit-eligible employees to enroll, make changes, and add or drop eligible dependents from coverage without a qualifying life event. Changes made during open enrollment will take effect on Jan. 1, 2025.
2025 Open Enrollment Period Closed
The annual benefits open enrollment period ended at 5 p.m. on Friday, November 15, 2024.
If you need to make changes to your 2025 elections:
- Log in to Employee Self-Service >> Benefits & Wellness >> Benefits >> Benefits Confirmations
- Select the "Request Change" button under the "Actions" column of your 2025 statement.
- Benefits staff will manually update your changes. In the comment box provided, please be very specific and detailed about what you would like changed.
Please note: changes will not be accepted by email or phone; they must be made through the confirmation statement.
The deadline to request a change is 11:59 p.m. on November 19, 2024.
No exceptions will be made after this date.
Important Open Enrollment Dates
Begins Nov. 1 at 8 a.m.
Ends Nov. 15 at 5 p.m.
Changes effective Jan. 1, 2025
Review plan and premium rate changes and what decisions you need to make for 2025.
Send our team a message with your enrollment questions right from our webpage.
Find English, Spanish, and French versions of our open enrollment resources.
As the voluntary vision insurance is administered by a 3rd party, the open enrollment period is separate from the annual benefits open enrollment. It will begin January 1, 2025, and end February 28, 2025, with elections effective on April 1.
An email will be sent to all regular benefit-eligible employees when World Insurance Associates opens their enrollment for 2025.
Review information on the Voluntary Vision Insurance webpage for more details.
2025 Benefits Changes
What is Changing in 2025
Health Plans
What's Changing
UIChoice and UISelect Monthly Premiums:
- Health insurance premiums will increase by up to $22 per month, depending on your health plan and coverage options.
- UISelect will remain the zero-cost premium option for employee-only and double-spouse family coverage.
UIChoice Premiums | UISelect Premiums | Domestic Partner Premiums | COBRA Premium Rates | Adult Child Taxable Amounts for 2025
The bolded numbers are the 2025 premium rates that will take effect on Jan. 1, 2025.
| plan | Employee Only | Employee + Spouse | Employee + Child | Employee + Family | Double Spouse Family |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UIChoice 2024 | $86 | $411 | $335 | $440 | $220 |
UIChoice 2025 | $90 | $431 | $352 | $462 | $231 |
| UISelect 2024 | $0 | $316 | $258 | $339 | $0 |
UISelect 2025 | $0 | $320 | $261 | $343 | $0 |
Pharmacy Out-of-Pocket Maximums (OPMs):
- The pharmacy OPM will increase for both plans. Please review the chart below for your plan.
- Remember that this is the most you'll pay in a calendar year for covered prescription drugs.
- The change helps manage the health plan's overall costs while ensuring everyone has access to the services they need.
| Plan | 2024 prescription Drug OPM | 2025 Prescription Drug OPM |
|---|---|---|
| UIChoice |
|
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| UISelect |
|
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Wellmark implemented the following changes to UIChoice 2025:
| UIChoice Plan provision | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Out-of-Pocket Maximum (OPM) |
|
All Level 3 providers (participating and non-participating are now under the Level 3 OPM) |
| Routine Physicals/Preventive Services |
|
|
Review the Wellmark Summary of Benefits and Coverages under the Resources section.
Dental Plan
What's Changing:
Dental II Monthly Premiums:
- There will be a slight premium increase for the dental plan in 2025.
| 2024 | 2025 | |
|---|---|---|
| Employee Only | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Employee + Spouse | $20.10 | $21.00 |
| Employee + Child(ren) | $21.20 | $22.10 |
| Employee + Family | $28.40 | $29.60 |
| Double Spouse Family | $0.00 | $0.00 |
Dental II Plan Design Changes:
- There will be a $15 deductible for dental services provided by premier and non-participating dentists.
- This deductible does not apply to check-ups, teeth cleanings, or orthodontics.
| plan provision | ppo providers tier 1 | Premier providers Tier 2 | non-participating providers Tier 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deductible | $0 | $15 | $15 |
Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
What's Changing
Health Care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
- The Health Care FSA maximum will increase to $3,200 for 2025.
Important Reminders about FSAs:
- You must re-enroll in the FSA program every enrollment period.
- If you have 2024 funds left over, they will not carry forward to a 2025 account.
Decisions to Make During Open Enrollment
The University Benefits Office advises all eligible employees to access Employee Self-Service to review their current benefit elections, regardless of whether they intend to make changes. Here are our top reasons why this review is essential:
- Health Plan Premium Increases: In 2025, the monthly premium rates for both UIChoice and UISelect health plans, as well as the Dental II plan, will increase. This is an excellent opportunity to compare the provisions and rates of each health plan to determine the best option for you and your family next year.
- Did you celebrate a milestone birthday this year? The Voluntary Term Life (VTL) insurance plan is age-rated, meaning rates increase when an enrolled employee turns 40, 50, or 60. Be sure to review your current elections and determine the appropriate amount of coverage you need moving forward.
- Save on taxes with a Flexible Spending Account: During this open enrollment period, you can enroll (or re-enroll) in the Flexible Spending Account (FSA) program. Making before-tax contributions to health care and dependent care FSAs can save you an average of 30 percent!
Remember to review your beneficiary(ies) and residing home address while in Employee Self-Service.
ALERT: If no action is taken during this open enrollment period, your 2024 benefit elections will automatically carry over, except for your FSA health care and dependent care elections. The IRS mandates that employees make an active election yearly; therefore, you must re-enroll to participate in 2025.
Is your dependent 26?
An eligible dependent may remain on your coverage until the end of the calendar year when they turn 26. If they are not a full-time student or are disabled, open enrollment is the perfect time to remove them from coverage, effective 1/1/2025.
In need of a form?
Visit the Benefits Forms & Resources page for all you may need during this open enrollment period. Find the domestic partner affidavit, double spouse credit form, plan docs, and so much more.
What are University Credits?
Regular benefit-eligible employees receive a $90 general benefit credit each month. In addition, eligible employees can receive shared savings credits. Find out what credits are available and how they are used.
Have a Question?
Open enrollment can be confusing, especially with plan design changes. The Benefits Office is here to assist you! Please send us your open enrollment question(s) by choosing the button below, filling out the contact form, and receiving a timely response from a dedicated University Benefits HR Specialist.
Open Enrollment Resources
What's New and Changing for 2025 Guide
- Open Enrollment Guide (pdf)
- Open Enrollment Guide - Spanish Version (pdf)
- Open Enrollment Guide - French Version (pdf)
- Open Enrollment Guide - Text Only Version (pdf)
Health Plan Comparison
2025 Summary of Benefits and Coverage
2025 Dental Plan Documents
How to Enroll in Employee Self-Service
Forms
The double spouse credit provides family health and dental coverage to eligible faculty and staff at a reduced premium rate. There is no benefit to double spouse credit if there are no dependent children who require coverage under your policy. Annual open enrollment is your time to enroll or cancel your double spouse credit.
- Enroll - If you and your spouse/partner work at the University and cover dependent children on your insurance, you may be eligible for the Double Spouse Credit. Read more on the Double Spouse Credit webpage for requirements.
- Cancel - If your adult child is 26 and is not a full-time student or disabled, you must remove them from coverage during the 2025 open enrollment period. After removing the adult child, if you and your spouse/partner are not covering any other dependent children, you will want to submit the double spouse credit form requesting to cancel. You and your spouse must enroll in single health and dental plans.
Beneficiary Designation Form (pdf)
Sometimes, you must fill out a Beneficiary Designation form and email it to University Benefits at benefits@uiowa.edu. These situations include designating a trust or estate as a beneficiary, electing a specific dollar amount instead of a percentage for a beneficiary, and making changes during benefits open enrollment.
Domestic Partner Affidavit (pdf)
To cover a domestic partner, you must file an affidavit of domestic partnership (valid for same or opposite-sex partners). You only need to complete this affidavit once, and it will remain in effect until the relationship ends.
- If the relationship ends, you must notify University Benefits by filing an Affidavit for Termination of Domestic Partnership form.
- A new affidavit is required for a new domestic partner relationship.
Please review the requirements and tax consequences of adding a domestic partner to your coverage before taking the next steps.
Related Content Links
Life Insurance
Adding/Removing Dependent(s)
COBRA
Flexible Spending Accounts
- Flexible Spending Accounts
- HealthEquity (Employee Self-Service)
Domestic Partner Benefits
AD&D Insurance