Enrollment
Following the termination of your benefit-eligible employment, you will receive paperwork to your residing address that we have on file. You must complete and return the coverage election form within 60 days of the termination of the prior coverage. To avoid delays in receiving your COBRA packet, please ensure that your address is up-to-date in MyUI. For events other than termination, you will need to contact Benefits.
Paperwork is mailed following the end of your employment. Generally, it is sent the week after your employment ends/termination date is entered in the system. If your department has not submitted your termination, the system will not generate a COBRA packet for you.
You may choose to remain in the same plans(s) in which you were previously enrolled, or you may change plans within those offered for employees in your employment classification.
COBRA coverage must begin the first of the month following the loss of your other coverage, even if that date is before the Benefits Office receiving the election form. There cannot be a lapse of coverage. You will be billed monthly for the premiums and will be given the option of either receiving a University bill or having the premiums automatically deducted from a bank account.
Covering Dependents
You may only cover dependents covered at the time you became COBRA eligible. In the event of marriage, birth, or adoption, you may add those individuals involved in that event but not other dependents.
Identification Cards:
If you remain in the same plan you were in 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 due to a new policy number. Please ensure your address is up-to-date in MyUI.
COBRA Premium Rates for Employed Grad Students
AY 2023-2024 Monthly COBRA Rates (SHIP, UIGRADCare, Student Dental)
Monthly rates are effective Sep. 1, 2023
| ***Rates are pending state of Iowa board of regents approval*** | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Plan |
SHIP/Month
|
UIGRADCare/Month
|
Dental/Month
|
| Student Only | $331.50 | $472.26 | $25.50 |
| Student + Spouse | $1,312.74 | $875.16 | $47.94 |
| Student + Child(ren) | $1,197.48 | N/A | $68.34 |
| Family | $1,619.76 | $2,082.84 | $81.60 |
COBRA Premium Rates for Employed Grad Students
AY 2022-2023 Monthly COBRA Rates (SHIP, UIGRADCare, Student Dental)
Monthly rates are effective Sep. 1, 2022 - Aug. 31, 2023
| Plan |
SHIP/Month
|
UIGRADCare/Month
|
Dental/Month
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Only | $331.50 | $449.82 | $25.50 |
| Student + Spouse | $1,312.74 | $806.82 | $47.94 |
| Student + Child(ren) | $1,197.48 | N/A | $68.34 |
| Family | $1,619.76 | $1,983.90 | $81.60 |
Termination
If you decide to terminate coverage before the end of your eligibility period, provide written notice before the date you want it ended. Include your full name and your University identification number if possible.
Coverage will end the first of the month after receiving this notification or the current month if requested. The university may terminate coverage for non-payment of premiums.
When your COBRA maximum period of continuation of coverage ends, you may find other options for plans out on healthcare.gov.