Welcome to the University of Iowa's Graduate Students and Health Science Majors Benefits page. This resource is designed to provide you with detailed information about the health and dental insurance plans available to our graduate students and health science majors.
Our goal is to support your academic and professional journey by providing you with access to essential health resources. Here, you will find everything you need to know about eligibility, plan options, enrollment procedures, and how to submit proof of coverage. Explore your benefits and take proactive steps towards maintaining your health and well-being.
Who Qualifies for Student Insurance?
To be eligible, a student must:
- Be a degree-seeking student AND
- Be registered for five or more credit hours each semester (only applies to undergraduate students)
Insurance Plans Available for Grad Students and Health Science Majors
Two Plan Options for Health Insurance
To review both plans side-by-side, visit the SHIP and UIGRADCare Comparison page.
SHIP
The Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) is a Blue Cross and Blue Shield plan that provides coverage for preventive care, hospitalization, surgery, maternity care, well-baby/well-child care, emergency care for accidents or illnesses, and medically necessary physician care, prescription drugs, and mental health services.
Providers: Alliance Select PPO
UIGRADCare
The UIGRADCare plan is a comprehensive health care program that covers hospital, medical, surgical, outpatient, and other health care services, including physical therapy. Coverage is also provided for routine physicals, newborn care, well-child checkups, and prescription drugs.
Providers: MUST use Student Health and UI Health Care providers only
Student Dental Insurance
All students are eligible to receive coverage through the Student Dental plan. Dental care under this plan can be obtained from any provider; however, there are advantages to using participating providers with contracts with Delta Dental of Iowa, the dental insurance plan administrator.
How to Enroll
Eligible students will complete their insurance enrollment through MyUI. You may enroll during one of the student insurance open enrollment periods or with a qualifying life event if outside the enrollment period for the semester.
How to enroll
Open Enrollment Dates
Open enrollment periods are as follows:
- Fall Semester: Aug. 1 to Sep. 9
- Spring Semester: Jan. 1 to Feb. 9
- Summer Semester: May 1 to Jun. 9
Instructions on how to enroll and add dependents
Step-by-Step Instructions
Enrolling in SHIP, UIGRADCare, and dental insurance is an easy process that you can do online through MyUI.
- Log in to MyUI.
- Under STUDENT INFORMATION, select the "+More" button.
- Under STUDENT LIFE MANAGEMENT, select "Student Insurance."
- Choose the first green button labeled "Enroll in Insurance."
- 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.
Proof of Coverage Forms
Do you already have insurance coverage and do not want to enroll in the UI student plans? To complete your Proof of Coverage form, log in to MyUI:
- Under the "Student Information" section
- Select the "+ More" button
- Under "Student Life Management," select the "Student Insurance" link.
Reminder: All international and health science majors are required to have insurance.
ABOUT OUR SITE:
Our website's information describes only the highlights of the plans and does not constitute official plan documents. Additional terms and conditions may apply. If there are any discrepancies between the information contained herein and the official plan documents, the plan documents will govern.