Your Benefits Questions, Answered
Finding the information you need should be easy. This FAQ offers quick, clear answers about your benefits and the programs available to you. If you need more help, our Benefits Team is ready to support you.
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Benefits Basics
Who is eligible for benefits?
Employee Eligibility:
- Regular Faculty and Staff
Employees in a regular appointment of 50% or greater, along with their eligible dependents, qualify for the full benefits package. - Temporary Employees
Temporary employees appointed 50% or greater for at least six months may be eligible for temporary health and dental insurance. - House Staff
House staff become eligible for benefits on the first day of the month following the contract date. Their benefit package differs from that of regular faculty and staff. - Unpaid J-1 Employees
J-1 employees and their J-2 family members MUST be enrolled in the University of Iowa health insurance to maintain visa compliance.
Eligible Dependents
Benefits-eligible dependents include:
- Your legal spouse
- Your common-law spouse (affidavit required)
- Your domestic partner (affidavit required)
- Your child up to the end of the year they turn 26
- Your child age 26 or older who is a full-time student at an accredited educational institution
- Your disabled child age 26 or older who is unmarried, claimed as a dependent on your tax return, and receiving benefits from Medicare or the Social Security Administration due to disability. The disability must have existed before the child turned 26 or while the child was a full-time student.
A child is defined as your natural child, stepchild, or domestic partner’s child; a legally adopted child, a child placed in your home for adoption; a foster child, a child for whom you have legal guardianship; or your natural child for whom a court order is to be covered under your plans.
Read more about dependent eligibility on the Eligible Dependents Defined webpage.
When do benefits become effective?
University benefits are effective the first of the month following the employee's hire date, newly eligible date, or qualifying life event.
- The only exception is for a birth or adoption; benefits then begin on the first of the month in which the event occurred.
Find more information on the Enroll, Change, or Term Benefits page.
How do I enroll in benefits?
Regular Employees and House Staff
You will enroll online within Employee Self-Service. You can follow step-by-step instructions here on the Benefits Enrollment webpage.
Temporary Employees
Enrollment information can be found on the Benefits for Temporary Employees webpage.
Unpaid J-1 Scholars
Enrollment information can be found on the Unpaid J-1 Scholars and J-2 Family Members webpage.
Where do I find my current benefit elections?
You can find your current benefit elections by logging in to Employee Self-Service >> Benefits & Wellness >> Benefits >> Current Benefits.
What deadlines do I need to know?
If you are a new hire or newly eligible for benefits:
- You have 30 days from your hire date or newly eligible date to complete your benefits enrollment.
- You have 60 days from your start date or newly eligible date to complete your retirement plan enrollment, if applicable.
- If you do not meet this deadline, you will be defaulted into IPERS for the remainder of your employment at the University of Iowa.
If you experience a qualifying life event and would like to make a change:
- You have 30 days from the event date to submit a Benefits Change Request through Employee Self-Service; unless it is a birth or adoption, you will have 60 days.
Health Insurance FAQs
Health Plan Specifics
Is UIChoice the only health plan available?
No. The university offers two health plans: UISelect and UIChoice.
- UISelect has lower monthly premiums but higher out‑of‑pocket costs when you receive care.
- UIChoice has higher premiums but lower out‑of‑pocket costs.
For more details, review the UISelect and UIChoice Plan Comparison webpage.
Do I need to choose a level of coverage?
No. You do not choose a level.
Each plan includes different benefit levels based on the provider you visit. The provider’s level determines your out‑of‑pocket cost.
What is the difference between Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 providers?
- Level 1: University of Iowa Health Care locations and certain affiliated partners.
- Level 2: Participating Wellmark Blue HMO (UISelect) or Blue POS (UIChoice) providers in Iowa and parts of South Dakota.
- Level 3: Available only under UIChoice. These are out‑of‑state or national BlueCard providers. Some may be out of network.
Is there a deductible on my health plan?
- UISelect: Yes. You pay a deductible each calendar year before coinsurance applies. Preventive care is not subject to the deductible.
- UIChoice: The deductible applies only to inpatient hospital stays.
How much will a procedure cost me?
Costs vary based on the provider’s level and how the service is billed.
Your provider and Wellmark Customer Service can help you estimate the cost.
How do I find an in‑network provider?
You can search locally or nationwide on the Wellmark Find a Provider webpage.
For step-by-step instructions, visit our How to Search for a Provider webpage.
UISelect Guest Memberships
Are guest memberships available for dependents or family members living out of state?
Yes. Guest memberships are available under UISelect for:
- Students attending college out of state
- Employees or dependents temporarily living out of state
- Families living apart
- COBRA participants who move out of Iowa
Guest members receive Level 2 coverage when using participating Blue Cross Blue Shield providers.
How do I set up a guest membership?
The policyholder or member must call Wellmark Customer Service to request one.
They will guide you through the information needed.
myWellmark and ID Cards
How do I create an online Wellmark account?
As a Wellmark member, you can use myWellmark, your secure member portal, to access your health insurance information anytime, anywhere.
Go to mywellmark.com to sign up or log in, then download the myWellmark mobile app.
- Once you have arrived at the main screen of the Wellmark webpage, select the blue box labeled "Login / Register" in the upper right corner of the screen.
- You should now be on the "Account Log In" screen.
- Go to the box labeled "NOT YET REGISTERED?" and under "*User Type", use the drop-down menu and select "Member", and then select the blue button labeled "REGISTER".
- You should now be on the screen that states "myWellmark(R) registration"
- Continue further down the page to the "Account information" box and complete the required fields: Last name, Social Security number, and Date of birth, and then select the blue button labeled "Next."
- Continue registering and filling in the required fields as prompted.
If you already have an account but are having trouble logging in, please visit Wellmark's User ID and password help webpage
When will I receive my health insurance card?
You will receive your Wellmark ID card in the mail. Your cards will generally arrive within two weeks of you receiving your benefits confirmation statement.
The cards will be mailed to the home address listed in Employee Self-Service. To avoid delays in receiving your cards, please ensure your address is up to date.
My cards only have my name on them. When will I receive my cards for my dependents?
ID cards list the policyholder's name only. Covered family members do not receive cards with their own names. They will use the cards with the policyholder's name when visiting providers for services.
How many cards will I receive?
If there is a single member on the policy, the policyholder will receive one card.
If there are two or more members, the policyholder will receive only two cards regardless of how many members are covered on the plan.
The policyholder may contact Wellmark to request additional cards to be mailed.
When would I get a new card?
There are a few different reasons you might get a new card. They include:
- The first time you enroll or switch to a different health plan.
- You’ve legally changed your name (e.g., marriage, adoption, divorce)
- Details on cards required an update (i.e., change in deductible amounts or out-of-pocket maximums)
To avoid delays, always ensure your address is up to date in Employee Self-service.
Is there an electronic version of the ID card?
Yes! No need to wait for it to come in the mail. You can begin using your ID card as soon as your plan starts, and you can e Site opens in a new tab access your card online by logging in to myWellmark. If you do not have a myWellmark online account yet, visit the first FAQ under this section on "How do I create an online Wellmark account?"
You may want to check with your health care provider to make sure they accept digital cards.
How do I order another card?
- You can call Wellmark's customer service at 1-800-643-9724.
- You can order, email, or print your ID card right from your online myWellmark account. Once logged in, go to the "Coverage" menu item and click to expand the menu. Select the link labeled "ID Cards."
- Another option is to download the free myWellmark app, log in with your online account information, and access your card electronically on your smartphone.
Dental Insurance FAQs
Dental Plan Specifics
Is there a deductible on the Dental II plan?
Yes, there is a $30 deductible for Tier 2 (Premier Providers), and a $50 deductible for Tier 3 (Non-participating providers). The deductibles do not apply to check-ups, teeth cleanings, or orthodontics.
Review plan details on the Dental II Plan Details webpage.
What is the College of Dentistry Incentive?
The College of Dentistry and the University Benefits Office have created an incentive program for faculty, staff, UI retirees, and their families who participate in Dental II.
Under this program, the University will pay 100% (no copay or deductible required) of treatment currently covered up to a participant's annual maximum as long as the treatment is provided by dental students at the College of Dentistry.
More information about this program can be found on the Dental Clinics Incentive & Vision Discount webpage.
Which dental providers can I use with Dental II?
You can see any provider you choose. There is always a cost advantage to using participating providers for services. Those dental professionals in the Delta Dental network are participating providers.
Review the difference between the three provider tiers on the Dental II Providers webpage.
Delta Dental Website and ID Cards
How to create a login for the Delta Dental website?
- Go to www.deltadentalia.com
- From the first screen, choose the "New user? Sign up" link within the "My Account" box.
- Begin your registration by completing the required fields.
- Member ID - you can enter your social security number, employee ID number, or your assigned Delta Dental ID.
- Select the next button and continue your registration.
When will I receive my dental ID card?
You will receive your Delta Dental ID card in the mail. Your cards will generally arrive within two weeks of you receiving your benefits confirmation statement.
The cards will be mailed to the home address listed in Employee Self-Service. To avoid delays in receiving your cards, please ensure your address is up to date.
My cards only have my name on them. When will I receive cards for my dependents?
ID cards list the policyholder's name only. Covered family members do not receive cards with their own names. They will use the cards with the policyholder's name when visiting providers for services.
How do I order another ID card?
- You can call Delta Dental's customer service at 1-800-544-0718.
- You can print or download a copy of your ID card right from your online Delta Dental account. Once logged in, you should be able to find a link labeled "ID Card" at the top of your screen.
- Another option is to download the free Delta Dental app, log in with your online account information, and access your card electronically on your smartphone.