If you choose not to take action during this enrollment period, your existing coverage will roll over into the next year, and your premium costs will automatically update effective Jan. 1, 2023.
Informational Sessions
This fall, the University Benefits Office will hold six UI Retiree Health Insurance informational sessions. Select the gold button below to read more details.
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
Find resources to help you make the best-informed decision for your 2023 benefits.
Medicare
Have you become Medicare eligible? Find more information about your next steps with Parts A & B.
Changes in 2023 Benefits
What's Changing:
1. UI Retiree Health Plan Premiums:
Health premiums will increase for both UIChoice and UISelect.
UIChoice Premium Rates
| 2022 Total Cost |
*with $288 contrib. |
2023 Total Cost |
*with $288 contrib. |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medicare Eligible | Single | $918.66 | $630.66 | $1,008.00 | $720.00 |
| Retiree + Spouse (1 Medicare eligible) | $1,686.66 | $1,398.66 | $1,822.00 | $1,534.00 | |
| Retiree + Spouse (Both Medicare eligible) | $1,837.32 | $1,549.32 | $2,016.00 | $1,728.00 | |
| Not Medicare Eligible | Single | $768.00 | $480.00 | $814.00 | $526.00 |
| Retiree + Spouse | $1,833.00 | $1,545.00 | $1,943.00 | $1,655.00 | |
| Retiree + Children | $1,496.00 | $1,208.00 | $1,585.00 | $1,297.00 | |
| Family | $1,963.00 | $1,675.00 | $2,081.00 | $1,793.00 |
*With $288 Contribution: Faculty and staff who retired at age 62 or older and attained ten or more years of continuous benefit-eligible service receive a university contribution of $288 per month toward the UIChoice or UISelect health insurance cost.
UISelect Premium Rates
| 2022 Total Cost | *With $288 Contrib. | 2023 Total cost | *with $288 contrib. | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medicare Eligible | Single | $630.66 | $342.66 | $907.00 | $619.00 |
| Retiree + Spouse (1 Medicare eligible) | $1,398.66 | $1,110.66 | $1,558.00 | $1,270.00 | |
| Retiree + Spouse (Both Medicare eligible) | $1,549.32 | $1,261.32 | $1,814.00 | $1,526.00 | |
| Not Medicare Eligible | Single | $614 | $326.00 | $651.00 | $363.00 |
| Retiree + Spouse | $1,468 | $1,180.00 | $1,554.00 | $1,266.00 | |
| Retiree + Children | $1,197 | $909.00 | $1,268.00 | $980.00 | |
| Family | $1,572 | $1,284.00 | $1,665.00 | $1,377.00 |
*With $288 Contribution: Faculty and staff who retired at age 62 or older and attained ten or more years of continuous benefit-eligible service receive a university contribution of $288 per month toward the UIChoice or UISelect health insurance cost.
2. UI Retiree Health Plan Provision Changes:
There will be design changes for both plans. Plan members will see changes in office visit copays, deductibles, and medical and pharmacy out-of-pocket maximums (OPMs). Below are three tables to show you the 2022 plan provision and what to expect in the 2023 plan year, bolded in the next column.
UI Health Plan Comparison with Plan Provisions
-
Copays
UICHOICE
2022UICHOICE
2023UISELECT
2022UISELECT
2023Level 1 Office Visit
$10 $15 Primary Care: $10
Specialist: Care: $20Primary Care: $15
Specialist Care: $25Level 2 Office Visit $25 $30 Primary Care: $35
Specialist: Care: $50Primary Care: $40
Specialist Care: $55UI QuickCare $5 $10 $5 $10 UI Urgent Care $10 $15 $10 $15 Emergency Room $100, followed by 10% coinsurance $125, followed by 10% coinsurance $100, followed by 10% coinsurance $150, followed by 10% coinsurance
-
Deductibles
UICHOICE
2022UICHOICE
2023UISELECT
2022UISELECT
2023Annual Deductible
N/A N/A Level 1:
$400 single / $800 familyLevel 2:
$800 single / $1,600 familyLevel 1:
$500 single / $1,000 familyLevel 2:
$950 single / $1,900 familyAnnual INPATIENT Deductible Level 1: $400, followed by 10% coinsurance
Level 2: $600, followed by 10% coinsurance
Level 3: $800, followed by 40% coinsurance
Level 1: $500, followed by 10% coinsurance
Level 2: $750, followed by 10% coinsurance
Level 3: $1,000, followed by 40% coinsurance
Visit Annual Deductible Above. Visit Annual Deductible Above.
-
Annual Out-of-Pocket Maximums (OPMs)
UICHOICE
2022UICHOICE
2023UISELECT
2022UISELECT
2023Medical OPMs
Level 1, 2, 3 Blue Card participating providers combined: $1,700 single / $3,400 family
Level 3 Non-participating providers: $2,000 single / $4,000 family
Level 1, 2, 3 Blue Card participating providers combined: $2,000 single / $4,000 family
Level 3 Non-participating providers: $2,500 single / $5,000 family
Level 1 Providers: $2,000 single / $3,400 family
Level 2 Providers: $3,000 single / $6,000 family
Level 1 Providers: $2,300 single / $4,000 family
Level 2 Providers: $3,500 single / $7,000 family
Prescription OPMs $1,100 single / $2,200 family $1,600 single / $3,200 family $1,100 single / $2,200 family $2,000 single / $4,000 family
3. Wellmark BCBS of Iowa will be sending new insurance cards.
All health plan policyholders will receive a new card whether they changed plans or not during Open Enrollment. Please ensure your residing home address is up to date and watch for your card mid-to-late December.
What's Not Changing in Health Insurance:
- The university contribution towards the cost of UIChoice and UISelect for eligible retirees will continue to be $288 per month.
-
There will be no changes in the Health Alliance Medicare Advantage monthly premiums or plan design of the HMO and PPO plans.
What's Changing:
Dental II premiums will increase in 2023.
Retiree Dental Insurance - Dental II
There will be a slight premium rate increase for the dental plan.
| DENTAL II 2022 | DENTAL II 2023 | |
|---|---|---|
| Retiree Only | $45.00 | $46.50 |
| Retiree + Spouse | $93.00 | $97.50 |
| Retiree + Child(ren) | $100.00 | $102.50 |
| Retiree + Family | $133.00 | $137.50 |
What's Not Changing:
- There will be no design changes to the Dental II plan in 2023.
Making Changes
If you would like to switch health plans
-
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.
-
You must complete the enrollment form and return it by Dec. 7, 2022. This form can be sent back to us at benefits@uiowa.edu or by mail to University Benefits. The change in your health plan will be effective on Jan. 1, 2023.
2023 UI Enrollment Form
Alternative to UI Retiree health plans
- Health Alliance plans: 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 2023 coverage to current plan participants in late September. Plan information is also available on the UI Health Alliance website. You may also contact Health Alliance directly by calling 1-877-917-8550.
- As an alternative to UIChoice or UISelect, Medicare-eligible retirees may choose other Medicare coverage (Medicare Supplemental or Advantage plans) outside the University of Iowa or Health Alliance. Choosing a plan other than UIChoice, UISelect or the Health Alliance PPO/HMO plans means you cannot return to UI plans in the future.
- If you would like to enroll in a Health Alliance plan, you must complete a Health Alliance Enrollment form (pdf), and the Health Alliance ACH form (pdf) and return these directly to Health Alliance.
- Please notify University Benefits in writing by Dec. 7, 2022, 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, 2023.
If you would like to cancel your UI Retiree coverage
- Please notify University Benefits in writing by Dec. 7, 2022. 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, 2023.
- 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.
UI Retiree Health Information Sessions
The University Benefits Office will offer six informational sessions to help you better understand your health benefit options to make an informed decision regarding your health coverage for 2023.
These sessions will be hosted by the University Benefits Office with guest speakers from the Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) and Wellmark BCBS. All sessions will follow the same agenda, beginning with a group session focusing on Medicare, Medicare Supplement/Medicare Advantage Plans, and the University retiree health options. Following the group session, onsite attendees will have the opportunity to obtain information and schedule an individual appointment with a SHIIP counselor or a Wellmark BCBS representative.
**Please note that seating is limited at the physical locations for each date.**
If you would like to attend a session in person:
- You must register for a spot by emailing benefits@uiowa.edu or calling our office at 319-335-2676.
- If a session has reached its in-person capacity, we also have the Zoom option available for all info sessions. You do not need to register for the Zoom sessions.
If you would like to attend a session via Zoom:
- You DO NOT need to register if you plan to attend via Zoom.
- A Zoom link will be listed under each of the six sessions on our website.
- If you have questions, you can submit them using the chat function. We will have an HR Specialist monitor the chat and answer your question or ask the presenters.
Dates, locations, and Zoom links for Info Sessions
- Group Session: 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
- Physical Location (seats are limited):
- Bioventures Center, Multipurpose Room
- 2500 Crosspark Rd, Coralville
- Select this link to join the Zoom meeting
Resources
The following are resources to help you succeed during this enrollment period. A retiree 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 2023, 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.
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)
Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) presentation materials:
- SHIIP Medicare presentation slides (pdf)
- UI Guanantee Right Fact Sheet: You may print or download the one-page sheet and share it with the insurance company you work with who helps you secure a Medicare supplement or advantage plan for 2023.
Wellmark presentation materials
Becoming Medicare Eligible
If you or your spouse become eligible for Medicare, you must enroll in Medicare Parts A & B as your primary insurance. Failure to enroll on time may result in a penalty and 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.
2023 Health Alliance Documents and Information
- UIHA PPO Rx Benefit Highlight for 2023 (pdf)
- UIHA PPO Annual Notice of Changes for 2023 (pdf)
- UIHA HMO Plus Rx Benefit Highlight for 2023 (pdf)
- UIHA HMO Annual Notice of Changes for 2023 (pdf)
- 2023 Medicare Formulary (pdf)