If you choose not to take action during this enrollment period, your existing coverage options will roll over into the next year and your premium costs will automatically update effective Jan. 1, 2022.
Making Changes?
Do you want to switch health plans or cancel coverage? Find out your options by selecting the button to skip to this section.
Info and Help
Our office is taking a virtual approach to our annual open enrollment. Find resources to help you make the best-informed decision for your 2022 benefits.
Medicare
Have you become Medicare eligible? Find more information about your next steps with Parts A & B.
Changes in 2022 Benefits
Health Plan Rates:
- Health care premiums will increase for both UIChoice and UISelect.
- Please review the 2022 Retiree Rates effective Jan. 1, 2022.
Dental II Rates:
- Premiums will not increase for Dental II insurance plan in 2022.
*There are no plan design changes to UIChoice or UISelect for 2022.
Making Changes
If you would like to switch health plans
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As a reminder, the university offers two health plans, UISelect and UIChoice. To compare the two plans, you may visit a side-by-side comparison to determine which plan will work best for you and your family. Open Enrollment is your opportunity to switch to another health plan if you wish.
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You must complete the enrollment form and return it by Dec. 7, 2021. This form can be sent back to us by email to benefits@uiowa.edu or by mail to University Benefits. The change in your health plan will be effective on Jan. 1, 2022. Wellmark will mail new cards to your home address.
2022 Enrollment Form
Alternative to UI Retiree health plans
- As an alternative to UIChoice or UISelect, two Medicare Advantage plan options will continue to be available from Health Alliance. You may elect coverage under one of these plans and still have the option to return to UIChoice or UISelect during future annual enrollment periods. Health Alliance mailed information regarding 2022 coverage to current plan participants in early October. Plan information is also available on the UI Health Alliance website. You may also contact Health Alliance directly by calling 1-877-917-8550.
- If you would like to enroll in a Health Alliance plan, you must complete a Health Alliance Enrollment form (pdf), the Health Alliance ACH form (pdf) and return these directly to Health Alliance.
- Please notify University Benefits in writing by Dec. 7, 2021 of your wish to cancel UI coverage. The notification can be sent by email to benefits@uiowa.edu or by mail to University Benefits Office.
- The change in your health plan will be effective on Jan. 1, 2022. New cards will be mailed to your home address.
If you would like to cancel your UI Retiree coverage
- Please notify University Benefits in writing by Dec. 7, 2021. The notification can be sent by email to benefits@uiowa.edu or by mail to University Benefits Office. Your coverage will be canceled as of Jan. 1, 2022.
- If you cancel coverage, you cannot enroll in the university's plan(s) again later. The exception is, if you currently have health and/or dental insurance through your own or your spouse's employment, you may have the option to enroll in the university's plan(s) if that coverage ends.
Resources
The following are resources to help you succeed during this enrollment period. A retireee benefits open enrollment letter has been mailed to your home address.
Open Enrollment Resources
Once again this year, the Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) is available to assist you in understanding your health care options. SHIIP Counselors will provide you with objective information concerning enrollment guidelines, benefits, and costs of your various Medicare alternatives. The SHIIP counselors from the Iowa City Senior Center are familiar with the four different plans the University makes available to its retirees: UIChoice, UISelect, Health Alliance HMO, and the Health Alliance PPO. If you want to consider the options available to the general public, these Counselors can explain the benefits and costs of original Medicare and Medigap supplements, the prescription drug plans, and Medicare Advantage plans available in Iowa.
It is important to review your current Medicare coverage, particularly prescription drug and Medicare Advantage plans, every Fall during the Open Enrollment Period between October 15 and December 7. The costs and benefits of your current plan may be changing for 2022, just as your health care needs may be changing as well.
SHIIP Counselors from the Iowa City Senior Center are offering appointments at the Senior Center and Mercer Aquatic Center in Iowa City, as well as the Community Center in North Liberty, in addition to Zoom and telephone options. Appointments may be made online through the Iowa City Senior Center website: www.icgov.org/shiip. This allows you to identify yourself as a University of Iowa Retiree, and select from the locations and counselors available. Please complete the questions asked when scheduling your appointment, so as to allow the Counselor to better assist you. Individuals may also call the Senior Center at 319-356-5220 for assistance with scheduling, or email questions to iowacityshiip@gmail.com.
UIChoice Retiree Health Plan
UISelect Retiree Health Plan
- Find a side-by-side comparison of the UI health plan options, UIChoice and UISelect.
- If Medicare eligible, review all UI health plans available side-by-side:
Summary of UI Retiree Health Plans (pdf)
Becoming Medicare Eligible
If you or your spouse become eligible for Medicare, you are required to enroll in Medicare Parts A & B as your primary insurance. Failure to enroll on time may result in a penalty and may delay your enrollment. If you are a UIChoice or UISelect plan participant, University Benefits will automatically enroll you in the UIChoice or UISelect Medicare Carveout plan which will become the secondary payer. The UIChoice or UISelect Medicare Carveout includes creditable prescription drug coverage and you should not enroll in a Medicare Part D plan.
If you do not wish to continue your UIChoice or UISelect coverage, you must notify University Benefits in writing.