Following the termination of your benefit-eligible employment, you will receive a COBRA packet to your residing address. To avoid delays in receiving your COBRA packet, please ensure your address is up-to-date in MyUI. 

When will I receive the COBRA packet?

Paperwork is mailed following the end of your employment. Generally, it is sent the week after your benefits end. The system will not generate a COBRA packet if your department has not submitted your termination. 

You may choose to remain in the same plan(s) in which you were previously enrolled, or you may change plans within those offered for employees in your employment classification. You must complete and return the coverage election form within 60 days of terminating coverage.

Can I cover my dependent(s)?

You may only cover dependent(s) that were already covered when you became eligible for COBRA. In the event of marriage, birth, or adoption, you may add those dependent(s) involved in the event.

When will coverage begin? 

COBRA coverage must begin the first of the month following the loss of employment-based coverage. For example, if your employment is terminated on May 20, your COBRA coverage takes effect on June 1 if you wish to enroll. 

How do I pay for COBRA coverage?

You will be billed monthly for the premiums. You will be given the option of receiving a University bill (U-Bill) or having the premiums automatically deducted from a bank account.

Will I receive new insurance cards?

If you remain on the same plan you were on before you terminated, you will continue to use the same ID card. If you change medical plans for your COBRA coverage, you will receive a new ID card with a new policy number. Please ensure your address is up-to-date in MyUI. 

The premiums listed below will be charged monthly. You will be given the option of receiving a University bill (U-Bill) or having the premiums automatically deducted from a bank account. 

AY 2024-2025 Monthly COBRA Rates

(SHIP, UIGRADCare, Student Dental)

Monthly rates are effective Sep. 1, 2024, through Aug. 31, 2025

AY 2023-2024 Monthly COBRA Rates

(SHIP, UIGRADCare, Student Dental)

Monthly rates are effective Jan. 1, 2024, through Aug. 31, 2024

If you decide to terminate coverage before the end of your eligibility period, you must provide written notice before the date you want it to end. Include your full name and your University identification number in the correspondence.

Coverage will end the first of the month after receiving this written notification. The University will terminate coverage for non-payment of premiums. 

When your COBRA maximum period of continuation of coverage ends, you may find other options for coverage on healthcare.gov.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Enrolling in SHIP, UIGRADCare, and dental insurance is an easy process that you can do online through MyUI. 

1. Log in to MyUI.
2. Under STUDENT INFORMATION, select the "+More" button.
3. Under STUDENT LIFE MANAGEMENT, select "Student Insurance."
4. Choose the first green button labeled "Enroll in Insurance."
5. Continue to fill out the online form and submit it to University Benefits for processing.

Adding Dependents:

If you have a spouse/partner or child(ren) who will need insurance, you must complete an enrollment form in MyUI to add them to your policy. You will have 30 days from the date of arrival or date of eligibility and 60 days from the date of birth to add dependent(s) to your policy. 

Once you submit your online enrollment form, you will receive an email confirmation from the University's workflow system. Your form will be processed in the order it was received. You may check the status of your previously submitted insurance requests by visiting your My Initiated Packages in the workflow.

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

1. Students who HAVE an assistantship or fellowship at the time of graduation
   • If the student is already enrolled in insurance when they graduate, they 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 promptly, please visit MyUI and verify your residing address is correct. 
     • Coverage, when elected, will begin June 1.
       
       
2. Students WITHOUT a spring graduate assistantship or fellowship
   • These students can enroll for up to 12 months of continued coverage under the "departing student" insurance program. (This option also applies to those with 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.
        
3. ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​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.

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, the last paycheck of the academic year/spring semester, will have a triple deduction of insurance premiums to cover June, July, and August.
   
• If your June 1 wages do not cover the insurance cost, the remaining amount will be added to your university bill (U-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.