UI Retiree Open Enrollment for Plan Year 2027
Open Enrollment: October 15 through December 7, 2026
Open Enrollment is your opportunity to review your University of Iowa retiree benefits and make any needed changes for the upcoming plan year.
In the coming weeks, you will receive a letter at your home address outlining important updates to your retiree benefits. Please review this information carefully to determine whether your current coverage continues to meet your needs.
If you do not make changes during open enrollment, your current coverage will automatically continue for 2027.
Key Open Enrollment Dates
Oct. 15
Review available benefit options and make changes to your coverage.
Dec. 7
Last day to submit enrollment changes and required forms.
Jan. 1
New premiums, plan changes, and coverage elections become effective.
What's Changing in 2027
Review the key benefit updates for 2027 below, including changes to premiums and plan provisions.
What's Changing in 2027 Benefits:
2027 Retiree Health and Dental Monthly Premiums
The University will continue contributing $288 per month toward the cost of UIChoice or UISelect for eligible retirees.
Medicare Carveout Monthly Premiums
There is no premium increase for Retiree-Only Medicare Carveout coverage in 2027.
Rates are effective January 1, 2027, through December 31, 2027.
| Coverage Option | UIChoice | UIChoice (After $288 Contrib.) | UISelect | UISelect (After $288 Contrib.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Retiree Only* | $1,031 | $743 | $928 | $640 |
| Retiree + Spouse (one Medicare-eligible) | $2,054 | $1,766 | $1,654 | $1,366 |
| Retiree + Spouse (both Medicare-eligible) | $2,062 | $1,774 | $1,856 | $1,568 |
| Retiree + Children | $2,054 | $1,766 | $1,654 | $1,366 |
| Retiree + Family | $3,085 | $2,797 | $2,582 | $2,294 |
*The Retiree Only Medicare Carveout premium is unchanged for 2027.
Under Age 65 Monthly Premiums
Rates are effective January 1, 2027, through December 31, 2027.
| Coverage Option | UIChoice | UIChoice (After $288 Contrib.) | UISelect | UISelect (After $288 Contrib.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Retiree Only | $1,023 | $735 | $726 | $438 |
| Retiree + Spouse | $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 |
Review the full health insurance premium breakdown on the Retiree Health Insurance Rates page.
2027 Dental Plan Premiums
Rates are effective January 1, 2027, through December 31, 2027.
| Coverage Option | Dental II |
|---|---|
| Retiree Only | $54.50 |
| Retiree + Spouse | $114 |
| Retiree + Children | $120 |
| Retiree + Family | $160.50 |
2027 Health Insurance Plan Changes & Guaranteed Issue Rights
Pharmacy Out-of-Pocket Maximum
The pharmacy out-of-pocket maximum for UIChoice and UISelect will increase effective Jan. 1, 2027.
| Plan Year | UISelect Pharmacy OPMs | UIChoice Pharmacy OPMs |
|---|---|---|
| Previous 2026 Pharmacy OPMs | Single: $2,450 Family: $4,900 | Single: $1,850 Family: $3,700 |
| NEW 2027 Pharmacy OPMs | Single: $2,900 Family: $5,800 | Single: $2,150 Family: $4,300 |
UIChoice Level 3 Preventive Care
Under UIChoice, preventive services from a Level 3 provider are covered at 90%, with members responsible for 10% coinsurance effective Jan. 1, 2027.
Who is a Level 3 Provider?
A Level 3 provider is a provider who is not designated as a Level 1 (UI Health Care) or Level 2 (Blue POS network) provider and is often located outside Iowa.
Before receiving care, it's important to know that Level 3 providers may or may not participate with Blue Cross Blue Shield. As a result, you may pay more for services than you would with a Level 1 or Level 2 provider. In some situations, a Level 3 provider may also balance bill, meaning you could be responsible for charges that exceed what the UIChoice plan pays.
Level 3 providers also have a separate out-of-pocket maximum from Level 1 and Level 2 providers.
To learn whether your provider is Level 1, Level 2, or Level 3, review the How to Search for a Provider instructions on the UI Human Resources website before scheduling care.
Guaranteed Issue Rights
Because these benefit changes may increase your out-of-pocket costs in 2027, you may qualify for a guaranteed issue right. This allows eligible individuals to purchase certain Medicare supplement plans without medical underwriting.
With a guaranteed issue right, an insurance company:
Must sell you a Medicare Supplement plan
Must cover pre-existing conditions
Cannot charge you a higher premium because of past or current health conditions
If you are eligible, you may wish to explore Medicare supplement plan options and consider whether they meet your health care needs.
2027 Dental Insurance Plan Changes
Periodontal maintenance therapy
If you receive periodontal maintenance therapy, a specialized dental cleaning for people who have been treated for gum disease, your share of the cost will change in 2027.
You will pay:
| Plan provision | PPO Providers Tier 1 | Premier Providers Tier 2 | Non-participating providers Tier 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Periodontal Maintenance Therapy | 10% coinsurance | 20% coinsurance | 20% coinsurance |
Coinsurance is the percentage of the covered cost that you pay. Before receiving care, check your dental provider’s tier using Delta Dental’s provider search.
Retiree Open Enrollment Information Session
Join University Benefits to learn about the 2027 Retiree Open Enrollment program, upcoming changes, and available plan options. You may attend either in person or online.
In-Person Session
Date & Time: Monday, October 19, 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Location: BioVentures Center, Multipurpose Room
Address: 2500 Crosspark Road, Coralville, IA
How to register for in-person attendance:
You may register one additional guest to attend with you. Space is limited to 40 attendees.
Please submit your registration request by:
- Email: benefits@uiowa.edu, or
- Phone: 319-335-2676
Online Attendance
If you are unable to attend in person, you may join the session via Zoom.
No registration is required.
Session Recording
A recording of the Oct. 19 presentation will be available here beginning October 21, 2026.
Next Steps
Making Changes
The University of Iowa offers two health plans: UIChoice and UISelect. If you're considering a change, review the plan comparison to determine which option best meets your needs.
Changing or Canceling Coverage
To switch health plans or cancel your retiree health coverage, you must submit your request in writing to University Benefits by December 7, 2026.
Submit your written request by:
- Email benefits@uiowa.edu, or
- Mailing your request to the University Benefits Office.
If you are switching UI health plans
- Coverage under your new plan will begin on January 1, 2027.
- Watch your mail for new Wellmark ID cards for the 2027 health plan you selected. Be sure to begin using your new ID card when your coverage takes effect.
If you are canceling Coverage
- Your University of Iowa retiree health coverage will be effective through December 31, 2026.
Important: If you cancel your coverage, you cannot re-enroll in University of Iowa retiree health plans in the future.
The only exception is if you currently have health coverage through your or your spouse's/partner's employment. In that case, you may be eligible to re-enroll if that coverage ends.
Open Enrollment Resources
Health and Dental Plan Docs and Links
Health Insurance Resources and Documents
- Compare the UI health plan options, UIChoice and UISelect, side by side.
- 2027 UIChoice Summary of Benefits and Coverages (pdf) - coming soon
- 2027 UISelect Summary of Benefits and Coverages (pdf) - coming soon
- Review UI Retiree Health Insurance Premiums
Dental Insurance Plan Documents
- 2027 Dental II Summary Plan Description manual (pdf) - coming soon
- 2027 Dental II Benefit Summary (pdf) - coming soon
- Review UI Retiree Dental Insurance Premiums
Forms
- Do you need to switch your bank account?
University of Iowa ACH Billing Form (pdf) - Do you need to update your Paid Up Life beneficiaries?
Beneficiary Update Form (pdf) - Do you need to update who has access to your insurance information on your behalf?
Personal Health Information Release Form (pdf)
Message from Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP)
Again this year, the Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) is available to help you understand your healthcare options. SHIIP Counselors will provide objective information on enrollment guidelines, benefits, and costs for your Medicare options. The SHIIP counselors from the Iowa City Senior Center are familiar with the two plans the University makes available to its retirees: UIChoice and UISelect. If you want to consider the options available to the general public, these Counselors can explain the benefits and costs of original Medicare, Medigap supplements, prescription drug plans, and Medicare Advantage plans available in Iowa.
Review your current Medicare coverage, especially prescription drug and Medicare Advantage plans, every Fall during the Open Enrollment Period, which runs from October 15 to December 7. The costs and benefits of your current plan may change for 2027, just as your healthcare needs may also change.
SHIIP Counselors from the Iowa City Senior Center are offering appointments at the Senior Center, the Mercer Aquatic Center in Iowa City, and the Community Center in North Liberty, as well as Zoom and telephone options.
How to make an appointment:
You can make appointments online through the Iowa City Senior Center website: https://shiip.iowa.gov.
This lets you identify as a University of Iowa Retiree and choose from the available locations and counselors. Please complete the questions when scheduling your appointment so the counselor can assist you more effectively.
Individuals may also call the Senior Center at 319-356-5220 for assistance.
Guaranteed Issue Right
UI RETIREES ENROLLED IN MEDICARE + UICHOICE or UISELECT
UI retirees enrolled in Medicare and the UIChoice or UISelect plan will see an increase in their pharmacy out-of-pocket maximum cost share on January 1, 2027. Because these benefit changes may result in higher out-of-pocket costs for you in 2027, you will have a guaranteed issue opportunity to purchase an individual Medicare supplement policy.
Your Guaranteed Issue right means that the insurance company:
Must sell you a policy
Must cover pre-existing conditions
Cannot charge you a higher premium because of past or present health problems
If you are currently enrolled in UIChoice or UISelect and you are:
- Eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020
You can purchase any Medicare Supplement plan A, B, C, F, K, or L (including Medicare Select or high-deductible choices) from any company selling these plans in Iowa. - Eligible for Medicare after January 1, 2020
You could purchase any Medicare Supplement plan A, B, D, G, K, or L (including Medicare Select or high-deductible choices) from any company selling these plans in Iowa. - Under age 65
You must buy from companies that sell to people on Medicare because of disability.
Deadlines
You have 63 days from the day your coverage ends to apply for a Medicare Supplement policy. To receive this guaranteed issue right, you must apply for a policy by March 4, 2027.
If you decide to leave the UI retiree insurance, you will also have until February 28, 2027, to enroll in a Medicare Part D drug plan. However, if you enroll after December 31, 2026, your new coverage will not take effect until the first day of the month after you submit your application.
Leaving UI Health Plans
If you leave your UIChoice or UISelect health plan to purchase a Medicare supplement from the private market, you won’t be able to rejoin the UI group health plans in the future.
Becoming Medicare Eligible
If you or your spouse becomes 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.