Health care can be costly, and unexpected costs can add up quickly, challenging your financial well-being. For this reason, health insurance coverage has been made available for undergraduate, graduate, and international students. 

Eligibility

For student health insurance eligibility, you MUST:
  1. be a degree-seeking student AND
  2. be registered for five or more credit hours each semester (only applies to undergraduate students)

Insurance open enrollment periods by semester:

  • Fall: Aug. 1 - Sep. 9
  • Spring: Jan. 1 - Feb. 9 (EXTENDED to Feb. 19, 2024)
  • Summer: May 1 - Jun. 9

Proof of Coverage Forms

All international and health science students must submit a proof of coverage form if they are already covered under another health insurance policy and do not want to enroll in UI student insurance. To complete your Proof of Coverage form, log in to MyUI, find the "Student Information" section, "+ More" button, and under "Student Life Management," select the "Student Insurance" link.

Submit a Proof of Coverage Form 

Health and Dental Insurance Plans

SHIP

The Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) is a Blue Cross and Blue Shield plan that 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: Alliance Select PPO

Plan Details                SHIP Rates

Student Dental Plan

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

Providers: Delta Dental of Iowa Network
 

Dental Plan Details                 Dental Rates

How to Enroll

Complete your enrollment in MyUI for student insurance. You may enroll with a qualifying event during Student Insurance Open Enrollment or, if outside the Open Enrollment period. 

How to Enroll in Student Insurance

Open enrollment periods are as follows:

  • Fall Semester:  Aug. 1 to Sep. 9
  • Spring Semester: Jan. 1 to Feb. 9 (EXTENDED to Feb. 19, 2024)
  • Summer Semester:  May 1 to June 9

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.

Please be sure that your residing address is up-to-date in MyUI, as this is where your insurance card(s) are sent. You will need these when you visit a provider. 

Have a Question?

Visit our Student Insurance Resources page or email our team at benefits-students@uiowa.edu. 

ABOUT OUR SITE: 
The information presented on our website 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. For more detailed information you may contact Wellmark Blue Cross/Blue Shield at toll-free number 800-524-9242 (TTY: 888-781-4262), Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Central Time). For more efficient service, please have your member ID number handy - it can be found on the front of your card.