If you choose not to take action during this enrollment period, your existing coverage will roll over into the following year, and your premium costs will automatically update effective Jan. 1, 2025.
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 2025 benefits.
Medicare
Have you become Medicare-eligible? Find more information about your next steps with Parts A & B.
Guaranteed Issue
What does it mean for our Medicare-eligible retirees for health insurance in 2025?
Changes in 2025 Benefits
Health Insurance
What's Changing:
UI Retiree Health Plan Premiums:
- The UIChoice and UISelect single Medicare-eligible premium is NOT changing for 2025. The monthly premium will remain $1,018 for UIChoice and $916 for UISelect. Please visit the Retiree Health Insurance Rates page to review all other coverage groups.
- The UI Health Alliance Medicare Advantage plan premiums are NOT increasing for 2025.
| Monthly 2025 premium rates | UIChoice Total Cost | *with $288 contrib. | uiselect total cost | *with $288 contrib. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medicare Eligible | *Single | $1,018.00 | $730.00 | $916.00 | $628.00 |
| Retiree + Spouse (1 Medicare eligible) | $1,922.00 | $1,634.00 | $1,586.00 | $1,298.00 | |
| *Retiree + Spouse (Both Medicare eligible) | $2,036.00 | $1,748.00 | $1,832.00 | $1,544.00 | |
| Not Medicare Eligible | Single | $904.00 | $616.00 | $670.00 | $382.00 |
| Retiree + Spouse | $2,157.00 | $1,869.00 | $1,599.00 | $1,311.00 | |
| Retiree + Children | $1,760.00 | $1,472.00 | $1,305.00 | $1,017.00 | |
| Family | $2,311.00 | $2,023.00 | $1,713.00 | $1,425.00 | |
*The single Medicare-eligible rate for UIChoice ($1,018/month) and UISelect ($916/month) is NOT increasing for 2025.
*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.
| 2025 UI Health Alliance Premiums | Total Cost/Month |
|---|---|
| University of Iowa HMO Plus Rx | $60 |
| University of Iowa PPO Rx | $320 |
2025 Health Plan Design Changes:
The prescription out-of-pocket maximum for UIChoice and UISelect will increase effective Jan. 1, 2025.
| Plan | 2024 prescription OPM | 2025 prescription opm |
|---|---|---|
| UIChoice |
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| UISelect |
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Wellmark implemented the following changes for UIChoice 2025:
| UIChoice Plan Provision | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Out-of-Pocket Maximum (OPM) |
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| Routine Physicals/Preventive Services |
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Guaranteed Issue Right
UI retirees enrolled in Medicare and the UIChoice or the UISelect plan will see an increase in their cost share for certain out-of-pocket maximums on Jan. 1, 2025. Because these plan changes may result in higher out-of-pocket costs for Medicare-eligible retirees in 2025, they 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
To read more about the Guaranteed Issue and what it means for you, please visit the Medicare section of this webpage.
Dental Insurance
What's Changing:
2025 Retiree Dental II Premiums
There will be a slight premium increase for the dental plan in 2025.
| 2025 DENTAL II Monthly premium | |
|---|---|
| Retiree Only | $50.00 |
| Retiree + Spouse | $105.00 |
| Retiree + Child(ren) | $110.50 |
| Retiree + Family | $148.00 |
2025 Dental 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 |
UI Retiree Health Information Sessions
The University Benefits Office is offering four informational sessions to help you understand your health benefit options and make informed decisions for 2025.
These sessions will feature guest speakers from the Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) and cover Medicare, Medicare Supplement/Medicare Advantage Plans, and the University retiree health options.
Zoom participation will be available for each session if you prefer to attend online.
Meeting dates, times, and links
Space is limited at the BioVentures Center. To secure your spot in one of the sessions below, please email benefits@uiowa.edu or call the University Benefits Office at 319-335-2676.
| Date | Time | Location | Zoom link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct. 18, 2024 | 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. | The BioVentures Center, Multipurpose Room 2500 Crosspark Rd, Coralville | Session 1 Zoom Link |
| Oct. 21, 2024 | 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. | The BioVentures Center, Multipurpose Room 2500 Crosspark Rd, Coralville | Session 2 Zoom Link |
| October 30, 2024 | 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. | The BioVentures Center, Multipurpose Room 2500 Crosspark Rd, Coralville | Session 3 Zoom Link |
| October 31, 2024 | 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. | The BioVentures Center, Multipurpose Room 2500 Crosspark Rd, Coralville | Session 4 Zoom Link |
Recorded Presentation
Wellmark Medicare Seminars
Wellmark will be holding two free Medicare seminars on November 5, 2024, here in Iowa City at the Iowa Memorial Union. Please review the flyers below for registration details.
- Nov. 5, 2024 Session 1 (pdf) | 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
- Nov. 5, 2024 Session 2 (pdf) | 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Additional materials provided by Wellmark:
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
Health and Dental Plan Docs
Health Insurance Resources and Documents
- Find a side-by-side comparison of the UI health plan options, UIChoice and UISelect.
- 2025 UIChoice Summary of Benefits and Coverages (pdf)
- 2025 UISelect Summary of Benefits and Coverages (pdf)
- If Medicare eligible, review all UI and Health Alliance health plans side-by-side: Summary of UI Retiree Health Plans (pdf)
- Review UI Retiree Health Insurance Premiums
- Review UI Retiree Dental Insurance Premiums
Health Alliance Documents and Information
- 2025 Benefit Highlights PPO Rx (pdf)
- 2025 Benefit Highlights HMO Plus Rx (pdf)
- 2025 Health Alliance Enrollment Form (pdf)
- 2025 Health Alliance ACH form (pdf)
- 2025 Health Alliance Medicare Guide (pdf)
Dental Insurance Plan Documents for 2025
Message from Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP)
Once again, this year, the Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) is available to assist you in understanding your healthcare options. SHIIP Counselors will provide 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 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 essential 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 change for 2025, just as your healthcare needs may also change.
SHIIP Counselors from the Iowa City Senior Center are offering appointments at the Senior Center and Mercer Aquatic Center in Iowa City and 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: https://shiip.iowa.gov. This allows you to identify as a University of Iowa Retiree and select from the available locations and counselors. Please complete the questions asked when scheduling your appointment to allow the Counselor to assist you better. Individuals may also call the Senior Center at 319-356-5220 for assistance.
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 allows you to switch to another health plan if you wish.
- You must complete and return the enrollment form by Dec. 7, 2024. This form can be sent to benefits@uiowa.edu or by mail to University Benefits. The change in your health plan will be effective on Jan. 1, 2025.
- Access the 2025 Retiree enrollment form by selecting the gold button below:
2025 UI Enrollment Form
Health Alliance Plans
You may elect coverage under one of the Health Alliance plans and retain the option to return to UIChoice or UISelect during future annual enrollment periods.
Health Alliance has mailed information regarding 2025 coverage to current plan participants in late September. Plan details are also available on the UI Health Alliance website. For further assistance, you may contact Health Alliance directly at 1-877-917-8550.
As an alternative to UIChoice or UISelect, Medicare-eligible retirees may opt for other Medicare coverage (Medicare Supplemental or Advantage plans) outside the University of Iowa or Health Alliance. Please note that selecting a plan other than UIChoice, UISelect, or the Health Alliance PPO/HMO plans will preclude you from returning to UI plans in the future.
- To enroll in a Health Alliance plan, you must complete the 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, 2024, if you wish to cancel your UI coverage. Notifications can be sent via email to benefits@uiowa.edu or by mail to the University Benefits Office.
- The change in your health plan will be effective on Jan. 1, 2025.
If you would like to cancel your UI Retiree coverage
Please notify the University Benefits Office in writing by Dec. 7, 2024. The notification can be sent by email to benefits@uiowa.edu or by mail to the University Benefits Office. Your coverage will be canceled as of Jan. 1, 2025.
If you cancel your coverage, you will not be able to re-enroll in the university's plans at a later date. The only exception is if you currently have health and/or dental insurance through your or your spouse's/partner's employment. In that case, you may have the option to enroll in the university's plans if that coverage ends.
Guaranteed Issue Right
UI retirees enrolled in Medicare and the UIChoice or the UISelect plan will see an increase in their cost share for certain out-of-pocket maximums on January 1, 2025. Because these benefit changes may result in higher out-of-pocket costs for you in 2025, 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 were eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020
- You can purchase any Medicare Supplement plans A, B, C, F, K, or L (including Medicare Select or high deductible choices) from any company selling these plans in Iowa.
- And were eligible for Medicare after January 1, 2020
- You could purchase any Medicare Supplement plans A, B, D, G, K, or L (including Medicare Select or high deductible choices) from any company selling these plans in Iowa.
- and you are under the age of 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, 2025.
- If you decide to leave the UI retiree insurance, you will also have until February 28, 2025, to enroll in a Medicare Part D drug plan. However, if you enroll after December 31, 2024, your new coverage will not start until the 1st 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. You may continue to keep your UI Retiree Dental insurance if you are enrolled.
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.