Under Age 65 Non-Medicare Eligible Rates
If you or your spouse are retired from the University of Iowa and are not yet eligible for Medicare, you will remain enrolled in the Non-Medicare Eligible retiree health plan (Under Age 65) until age 65.
When you turn 65, you will transition to a UI Medicare Carveout plan to continue your health coverage. You will enroll in either UIChoice or UISelect, depending on the plan available to you.
Reminder: You must live in Iowa to be enrolled in UISelect.
Medicare-Eligible Rates
When a retiree or their spouse turns age 65, they must enroll in Medicare Part A, which is typically premium-free. If they are no longer working, they must also enroll in Medicare Part B. They will then transition to a UI Medicare Carveout plan through UIChoice or UISelect.
What is a Medicare Carveout plan?
Medicare becomes your primary insurance, and your University of Iowa retiree health plan becomes secondary coverage.
University of Iowa Contribution Eligibility
Faculty and staff enrolled in UIChoice or UISelect who retire at age 62 or older and have at least 10 years of continuous benefit-eligible service may receive a $288 monthly university contribution toward the cost of their UIChoice or UISelect health insurance premium.
Please note that this contribution is not guaranteed and is reviewed annually by executive leadership.
Retirees eligible for the $288 University Contribution
Monthly premium calculation:
Total premium cost - $288 University Contribution = Retiree's monthly cost
Example (UISelect):
- Total monthly premium: $726
- University contribution: $288
- Retiree's monthly cost: $394
What happens to your premiums when you become Medicare-eligible?
UI Retiree Becomes Medicare Eligible
When a UI retiree becomes eligible for Medicare, the University Benefits Office will move the retiree from the Under Age 65 Non-Medicare Eligible retiree plan to a single Medicare Carveout policy within their current plan (UIChoice or UISelect).
Examples (2027 premiums)
- No UI contribution
Gabriel is enrolled in the single UIChoice Under Age 65 retiree plan and pays $1,023 per month. In February, Gabriel turns 65 and becomes eligible for Medicare. Gabriel will be moved to the UIChoice Medicare Carveout plan, and the monthly premium will increase to $1,031. - Eligible for the $288 UI contribution
Florence retired at age 64 with 24 years of continuous benefit-eligible service, making them eligible for the $288 monthly UI contribution. Florence currently pays $438 per month for UISelect after the contribution is applied.
When Florence turns 65 and moves to the UISelect Medicare Carveout plan, the monthly premium will be calculated as follows:- UISelect Medicare Carveout premium: $928
- UI contribution: -$288
- Florence's monthly premium: $640
Medicare-Eligible Retiree Covering Spouse Who Is Not Medicare Eligible
If a Medicare-eligible UI retiree covers a spouse who is not Medicare-eligible, the retiree and spouse will be enrolled in separate health insurance policies.
- The retiree will be enrolled in a single Medicare Carveout policy.
- The spouse will be enrolled in a single under-65 retiree policy and pay the applicable retiree premium rate.
- Both individuals must be enrolled in the same health plan (UIChoice or UISelect), even though they are enrolled in separate policies.
- Each individual will receive a separate premium bill.
Example (2027 premiums):
Maggie is Medicare-eligible (age 66), and her spouse is not Medicare-eligible (age 64). Because they are enrolled in UISelect, both must remain enrolled in UISelect, although they will be covered under separate policies and billed separately.
Maggie's premium (Medicare-eligible)
- UISelect Medicare Carveout Single premium: $928
- UI contribution: -$288
- Maggie's monthly premium: $640
Spouse's premium (not Medicare-eligible)
- UISelect Under Age 65 Retiree Single premium: $726
- No university contribution applies
- Spouse's monthly premium: $726
Combined monthly cost
- Maggie's premium: $640
- Spouse's premium: $726
- Total monthly premium: $1,366
Medicare-Eligible Retiree Covering a Non-Medicare-Eligible Spouse & Children
If a Medicare-eligible UI retiree covers a spouse who is not Medicare-eligible and dependent child(ren), the retiree and family members will be enrolled in separate health insurance policies.
- The retiree will be enrolled in a single Medicare Carveout policy
- The spouse and child(ren) will be enrolled together in a Retiree + Child(ren) policy.
- All covered family members must be enrolled in the same health plan (UIChoice or UISelect), even though they are enrolled in separate policies.
- Each policy will receive a separate premium bill.
Example (2027 premiums):
Donald retired from the university at age 67. He covers his spouse, Kate (age 59), and their son, Jack (age 25). Donald is Medicare-eligible, but Kate is not.
Because the family is enrolled in UIChoice, all family members must remain in UIChoice. However, they will be enrolled in separate policies.
Donald is also eligible for the $288 monthly UI contribution.
Donald's premium (Medicare-eligible)
- UIChoice Medicare Carveout Single premium: $1,031
- UI contribution: -$288
- Donald's monthly premium: $743
Kate and Jack's premium (not Medicare-eligible)
- UIChoice Under Age 65 Retiree + Child(ren) premium: $1,992
- No university contribution applies
- Kate and Jack's monthly premium: $1,992
Combined monthly cost
- Donald's premium: $743
- Kate and Jack's premium: $1,992
- Total monthly premium: $2,735
Note: Donald and Kate will receive separate premium bills. The $288 university contribution applies only to Donald's Medicare Carveout premium and does not reduce the premium for Kate and Jack's policy.
Retiree and Spouse are Both Medicare Eligible
If both the UI retiree and their spouse are Medicare-eligible, each will be enrolled in a separate Medicare Carveout policy. If they cover dependent child(ren), each child will be enrolled in a separate Under-Age-65 retiree policy.
- All covered family members must be enrolled in the same health plan (UIChoice or UISelect), even though they are enrolled in separate policies.
- Each policy will receive a separate premium bill.
Example (2027 premiums)
Gus and Kim are both Medicare-eligible and are enrolled in UISelect. Neither qualified for the $288 university contribution upon retirement.
Gus's premium
- UISelect Medicare Carveout Single premium: $928
- Gus's monthly premium: $928
Kim's premium
- UISelect Medicare Carveout Single premium: $928
- Kim's monthly premium: $928
Combined premium for Gus and Kim
- Gus's premium: $928
- Kim's premium: $928
- Total monthly premium: $1,856
Later, their two dependent children return to coverage under the plan.
Because Gus and Kim are enrolled in UISelect, their children must also be enrolled in UISelect.
Child 1 premium
- UISelect Under Age 65 Retiree Single premium: $726
Child 2 premium
- UISelect Under Age 65 Retiree Single premium: $726
Total monthly cost for the family
- Gus's premium: $928
- Kim's premium: $928
- Child 1 premium: $726
- Child 2 premium: $726
Total monthly premium: $3,308
Note: Gus, Kim, and each covered child will be enrolled in separate policies and receive separate premium bills.
2027 Retiree Health Insurance Monthly Premiums
The 2027 retiree health insurance premium rates are now available. Under-65 plan rates will increase for 2027. While the Carveout plan single coverage rate remains unchanged from 2026, retirees with spouse or dependent coverage should review the updated 2027 premium rates applicable to their coverage level.
2027 Under Age 65 Non-Medicare Eligible Premiums
(UI Retiree, spouse, and dependent child(ren) is not yet age 65 or Medicare-Eligible)
| COVERAGE OPTIONS | UICHOICE TOTAL COST | UICHOICE WITH $288 UI CONTRIBUTION* | UISELECT TOTAL COST | UISELECT WITH $288 UI CONTRIBUTION* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single | $1,023 | $735 | $726 | $438 |
| Retiree + Spouse/Partner | $2,441 | $2,153 | $1,732 | $1,444 |
| Retiree + Children | $1,992 | $1,704 | $1,414 | $1,126 |
| Retiree + Family | $2,615 | $2,327 | $1,856 | $1,568 |
*Total cost premium minus the $288 contribution = Retirees eligible for contribution premium rate.
To be eligible, one must have retired from the university at age 62 or older with ten or more years of continuous benefit-eligible service.
2027 Medicare-Eligible Carveout Premiums
(UI Retiree, spouse/partner, dependent child(ren) are age 65+ and/or Medicare Eligible)
| COVERAGE OPTIONS | UICHOICE TOTAL COST | UICHOICE WITH $288 UI CONTRIBUTION | UISELECT TOTAL COST | UISELECT WITH $288 UI CONTRIBUTION |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Retiree Only | $1,031 | $743 | $928 | $640 |
| Retiree + Spouse/Partner (one Medicare eligible) | $2,054 $1,031 (Retiree Only Carveout) + $1,023 (Single Plan) | $1,766 | $1,654 $928 (Retiree Only Carveout) + $726 (Single Plan) | $1,366 |
| Retiree + Spouse/Partner (both are Medicare eligible) Please note you and your spouse will each have your own individual policies. | $2,062 $1,031 (Retiree Only Carveout) x 2 | $1,774 | $1,856 $928 (Retiree Only Carveout) x 2 | $1,568 |
| Retiree + Child(ren) | $2,054 (1 child)* $1,031 (Retiree Only Carveout) + $1,023 (Single Plan) per child covered | $1,766* | $1,654 (1 child)* $928 (Retiree Only Carveout) + $726 (Single Plan) per child covered | $1,366* |
| Retiree + Family (UI Retiree is Medicare Eligible, Spouse is Not) | $3,023 $1,031 (Retiree Only Carveout) + $1,992 (Active Retiree + Children) | $2,735 | $2,342 $928 (Retiree Only Carveout) + $1,414 (Active Retiree + Children) | $2,054 |
| Retiree + Family (Both Retiree & Spouse are Medicare Eligible) | $3,085 (1 Child)* $2,062 (Retiree+Spouse Carveout) + $1,023 (Single plan) per child covered | $2,797* | $2,582 (1 Child)* $1,856 (Retiree+Spouse Carveout) + $726 (Single plan) per child covered | $2,294* |
* Medicare eligible and covering child(ren)
The cost calculated in the above table for "Retiree + Child(ren)" and "Retiree + Family" is for the Retiree plus 1 covered dependent child; Add $1,023 for each additional child on UIChoice or $726 for each additional child on UISelect.
2026 Retiree Health Insurance Monthly Premium Rates
Non-Medicare Eligible Premiums
(UI Retiree and/or spouse is not yet age 65)
| COVERAGE OPTIONS | UICHOICE TOTAL COST | UICHOICE WITH $288 UI CONTRIBUTION* | UISELECT TOTAL COST | UISELECT WITH $288 UI CONTRIBUTION* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single | $955.00 | $667.00 | $682.00 | $394.00 |
| Retiree + Spouse/Partner | $2,279.00 | $1,991.00 | $1,627.00 | $1,339.00 |
| Retiree + Children | $1,859.00 | $1,571.00 | $1,328.00 | $1,040.00 |
| Retiree + Family | $2,441.00 | $2,153.00 | $1,743.00 | $1,455.00 |
*Total cost premium minus the $288 contribution = Retirees eligible for contribution premium rate.
To be eligible, one must have retired from the university at age 62 or older with ten or more years of continuous benefit-eligible service.
Medicare-Eligible Carveout Premiums
(UI Retiree and/or Spouse is Medicare Eligible, over age 65)
| COVERAGE OPTIONS | UICHOICE TOTAL COST | UICHOICE WITH $288 UI CONTRIBUTION | UISELECT TOTAL COST | UISELECT WITH $288 UI CONTRIBUTION |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Retiree Only | $1,031.00 | $743.00 | $928.00 | $640.00 |
| Retiree + Spouse/Partner (one Medicare eligible) | $1,986.00 $1,031 (Retiree Only Carveout) + $955 (Single Plan) | $1,698.00 | $1,610.00 $928 (Retiree Only Carveout) + $682 (Single Plan) | $1,322.00 |
| Retiree + Spouse/Partner (both are Medicare eligible) Please note you and your spouse will each have your own individual policies. | $2,062.00 $1,031 (Retiree Only Carveout) x 2 | $1,774.00 | $1,856.00 $928 (Retiree Only Carveout) x 2 | $1,568.00 |
| Retiree + Child(ren) | $1,986.00 (1 child)* $1,031 (Retiree Only Carveout) + $955 (Single Plan) per child covered | $1,698.00* | $1,610.00 (1 child)* $928 (Retiree Only Carveout) + $682 (Single Plan) per child covered | $1,322.00* |
| Retiree + Family (UI Retiree is Medicare Eligible, Spouse is Not) | $2,890.00 $1,031 (Retiree Only Carveout) + $1,859 (Active Retiree + Children) | $2,602.00 | $2,256.00 $928 (Retiree Only Carveout) + $1,328 (Active Retiree + Children) | $1,968.00 |
| Retiree + Family (Both Retiree & Spouse are Medicare Eligible) | $3,017.00 (1 Child)* $2,062 (Retiree+Spouse Carveout) + $955 (Single plan) per child covered | $2,729.00* | $2,538.00 (1 Child)* $1,856 (Retiree+Spouse Carveout) + $682 (Single plan) per child covered | $2,250.00* |
* Medicare eligible and covering child(ren)
The cost calculated in the above table for "Retiree + Child(ren)" and "Retiree + Family" is for the Retiree plus 1 covered dependent child; Add $955.00 for each additional child on UIChoice or $682.00 for each additional child on UISelect.