Eligibility

Graduate students at the University of Iowa who hold an assistantship of at least 25% time or a fellowship of at least $5,000 for the semester or $10,000 per academic year, and are registered for classes, are eligible to receive a contribution from the university toward the cost of health and dental insurance coverage.

The university contribution will begin the first day of the month following your appointment and completing your insurance enrollment in MyUI. 

Enrollment

If you are currently enrolled in one of the plans as an employed graduate student or fellow:

• You do not have to complete another enrollment in MyUI unless you want to add or drop a dependent(s) or change your plan. 

If you are a newly employed graduate student or fellow:

STUDENT INSURANCE ENROLLMENT INSTRUCTIONS

Summer Coverage

If you graduate in May, insurance coverage through your graduate appointment ends May 31. To continue coverage after graduation, you have the following options:

• Students who HAVE an assistantship or fellowship at the time of graduation, and are already enrolled in insurance, can enroll for continued coverage (up to 18 months) through COBRA. More information will be mailed to the student's residing address. To ensure the paperwork is received in a timely manner, please visit MyUI and verify your residing address is correct. Coverage, when elected, will begin June 1.

• Students WITHOUT a spring graduate assistantship or fellowship can enroll for up to 12 months of continued coverage under the "departing student" insurance program. (This option also applies to those who have an assistantship or fellowship but did not enroll in UI insurance while a student). This election must be done through MyUI no later than July 15.  Coverage, when elected, will begin June 1. 

For fiscal year appointments, insurance coverage ends at the end of the month in which the appointment terminates. COBRA continuation of coverage is offered following the end of the appointment.

Triple Dip Process

Graduate students with an academic year or spring semester appointment, who are returning students for the summer and/or fall semester, are eligible for insurance coverage over the summer. The June 1 paycheck, being the last paycheck of the academic year/spring semester, will have a triple deduction of insurance premiums to cover June, July, and August. Please note, if your June 1 wages do not cover the cost of the insurance, the charge will be added to your University bill. If you wish to make changes to your coverage for the summer, you may do so during open enrollment which occurs from May 1 to June 9.

SHIP

The Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) is a Blue Cross and Blue Shield plan, which provides coverage for preventive care, hospitalization, surgery, maternity, well-baby/well-child care, emergency care for accidents or illness, medically necessary physician care, prescription drugs, and mental health. 

Providers: You may see any provider you wish. 

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UIGRADCare

The UIGRADCare plan is a comprehensive health care program that covers hospital, medical, surgical, outpatient, and other health care services such as physical therapy. Coverage is also provided for routine physicals, newborn care, well-child checkups, and prescription drugs. 

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Student Dental Plan

All students may receive coverage through the Student Dental Plan, a 3 tier provider network within Delta Dental of Iowa. Covered services include checkups, teeth cleaning, cavity repair and tooth extractions, endodontic services, periodontal services, and more.

Providers: Care can be obtained from any provider.
 

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