Retired From UNI
Administered by Human Resource Services
UNI Retiree Benefits
In 2020 the University of Northern Iowa added an alternative Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare Group Program F medical plan for retirees. If you do NOT want to make any changes to your current plans, no action is needed. These new plans are an alternative to your current comprehensive health plan and you are not required to enroll.
Health Insurance
The University of Northern Iowa is excited to offer a new group medical plan exclusively for Medicare eligible retirees. This Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Program F is a supplemental medical plan to Medicare and is offered at a lower cost than the current UNI comprehensive health plans.
Quick Comparison of Plans for Retirees
January 1, 2024 - December 31, 2024
January 1, 2024 - December 31, 2024
Premiums, plan design, and plan options are subject to change annually on January 1.
| UNI Comprehensive Health Insurance Plans1 | Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Group Program F2 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| UNI PPO (Alliance Select) | UNI Blue Advantage (HMO) | ||
| Who is eligible? | Retirees at any age | Retirees at any age | Medicare eligible retirees |
| Type of Plan | Comprehensive | Comprehensive | Medicare medical supplemental |
| Coverage/Network | Nationwide | Iowa only | Nationwide |
| Deductible | $350 Single $750 Family |
$100 Single $200 Family |
$0 Single |
| Monthly Premiums | |||
| Single, Not Medicare Eligible | $952 | $907 | Not available |
| Retiree & Spouse, Not Medicare Eligible | $2,182 | $1,976 | Not available |
| Retiree & Spouse, 1 Medicare Eligible, 1 Not Medicare Eligible | $2,182 | $1,976 | Not available |
| Family | $2,182 | $1,976 | Not available |
| Single Medicare Eligible | $952 | $907 | $231.90 |
| Retiree & Spouse Medicare Eligible | $2,182 | $1,976 | $231.90 each ($463.80 total) |
| Prescriptions | Included in plan and premium | Included in plan and premium | $178.00 per person, additional cost |
1UNI sets the premiums based on claims costs. Effective January 1, 2024 for the UNI comprehensive health insurance plans, retiree and spouse Medicare eligible individuals will have the same premiums as a family plan.
2Wellmark sets the premiums. The benefit design of Group Program F is identical to an individual Medicare Supplement Plan F.
2024 University of Northern Iowa Retiree Presentation
Frequently Asked Questions
- 1Q: If I'm not currently covering a spouse on a UNI comprehensive retiree health insurance plan, can I add them to the Group Program F medical plan?
1A: No, you must be covering a spouse under a UNI comprehensive health insurance plan.
- 2Q: If I am age 65 or older, but my spouse is younger than 65 can we still enroll in the Group Program F medical plan?
2A: No, both the retiree and their spouse must be Medicare eligible in order for each to be covered under the Group Program F. If the spouse is not Medicare eligible, then the retiree may move to the Group Program F but the spouse would need to enroll in their own coverage outside of UNI.
- 3Q: If I am in the process of getting enrolled in Medicare Part A and/or B can I enroll in Program F?
3A: No, you must be enrolled in Medicare Part A and B prior to enrolling in Program F.
- 4Q: Are prescriptions included in the new Group Program F medical plan?
4A: No, Group Program F is only a supplemental medical plan. There is a separate group prescription drug plan available for an additional cost. Please see enclosed materials.
- 5Q: If I enroll in Group Program F now, but not the group prescription drug plan, when can I enroll in the group prescription drug plan if I decide I want it?
5A: If you do not choose the group prescription drug plan during Open Enrollment, the next time you can enroll is the next Open Enrollment period.
- 6Q: What happens if I waive UNI PPO (Alliance Select), UNI Blue Advantage (HMO), Group Program F medical plan, and the group prescription drug plan?
6A: You will not be able to enroll in a UNI comprehensive health insurance plan, the Group Program F medical plan, or the group prescription drug plan in the future. The waiver is indefinite.
- 7Q: What happens if I enroll in the Group Program F medical plan and/or the group prescription drug plan, can I reenroll in UNI PPO or UNI Blue Advantage at a future date?
7A: You will not be able to re-enroll into a UNI comprehensive health insurance plan in the future, the waiver is indefinite.
- 8Q: What happens if I didn't retain a UNI comprehensive health insurance plan at the time of retirement, can I now enroll in the Group Program F medical plan?
8A: No, you must currently be covered under a UNI comprehensive health insurance plan.
- 9Q: Can I keep the UNI comprehensive health insurance plan and enroll in the Group Program F medical plan at the same time?
9A: No, once you enroll in the Group Program F medical plan, you will need to waive the UNI comprehensive health insurance plan.
- 10Q: Can I enroll in the Group Program F and the group prescription drug plan and still keep the UNI dental insurance?
10A: Yes, you can stay in the UNI dental regardless of what decision you make about your health insurance options.
- 11Q: If I enroll in the Program F and the group prescription drug plan, who will I receive bills from?
11A: Wellmark will bill you for the Program F, and Group Medicare BlueRx will bill you for the group prescription drug plan.
Ending UNI Retiree Comprehensive Health Insurance
- You may end coverage at any time by completing the Health and Dental Form to waive coverage.
- Coverage will end the last day of the month during the month you are ending coverage. New coverage will need to begin the 1st of the next month.
- Once you end coverage you may not reenroll into the UNI plans at a later date.
- If you end coverage, coverage on spouses and dependents will end at the same time.
Making Changes to Your Plans
UNI Retirees may change their plans as well as add/remove qualified family members due to any life event or open enrollment which happens each fall. Examples of life events may be:
- retiree becomes Medicare eligible
- spouse gains coverage
- spouse loses coverage
- marriage
- divorce
- death
Health Insurance Resources
- Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Group Program F Overview
- Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Group Program F Enrollment Form
- Group Prescription Drug Plan Overview
- Group Prescription Drug Plan Enrollment Form
- Group Prescription Drug Plan online EFT Form
- Group Prescription Drug Plan printable EFT Form
- Wellmark Account Withdrawal Authorization
- Wellmark's Privacy Policy
- 2024 UNI Retiree Comprehensive Health Insurance Plan Comparison
- UNI Retiree Comprehensive Health and Dental Enrollment Form
- Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP)
Your Insurance Plan Contacts in Retirement
Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield
Dental Insurance
UNI Sponsored Dental Insurance Options
UNI retirees may be enrolled in one of two UNI sponsored dental plans:
- UNI Dental Plan 1 (Grandfathered plan, no new enrollments accepted)
- UNI Dental Plan 2
UNI Sponsored Dental Insurance:
- Automatic withdrawal is available for monthly premiums.
- A list of participating providers may be found at deltadentalia.com. You may also ask providers whether they have a participating agreement with Delta Dental, or contact Delta Dental at (800) 544-0718 to inquire about the status of specific providers.
- Retirees enrolled in Delta Dental of Iowa are automatically eligible for the vision discount program through DeltaVision at no extra cost.
- This benefit booklet describes your rights and responsibilities under your group dental plan.
- This benefit booklet provides a simplified Summary of Benefits offered by the plan.
Individual Dental Insurance
Many insurance companies offer individual insurance plans for retirees. You may:
- Contact a local insurance agent for plan recommendations.
- Ask your dental provider who they recommend for a plan.
Ending UNI Sponsored Retiree Dental Insurance
- You may end coverage at any time by completing the Health and Dental Form to waive coverage.
- Coverage will end the last day of the month during the month you are ending coverage. New coverage will need to begin the 1st of the next month.
- Once you end coverage you may not reenroll into the UNI plans at a later date.
- If you end coverage, coverage on spouses and dependents will end at the same time.
Making Changes to Your Plans
UNI Retirees may change their plans as well as add/remove qualified family members due to any life event or open enrollment which happens each fall. Examples of life events may be:
- spouse gains coverage
- spouse loses coverage
- marriage
- divorce
- death
Dental Insurance Resources
- DeltaVision Discount Program
- Delta Dental Of Iowa Account Withdrawal Authorization
- Delta Dental's Privacy Policy
- 2024 UNI Retiree Dental Plan Comparison
- UNI Retiree Comprehensive Health and Dental Enrollment Form
Delta Dental
Emeritus Status
Administrators, Faculty and P&S Employees
Emeritus applications are completed on paper after you have retired from UNI. To obtain a Emeritus application please call Human Resources at 319-273-2423.
- Administrators, Faculty and P&S employees who have 20 or more years of creditable service in higher education may apply for Emeritus Status.
- Faculty must have at least 10 years of meritorious service with UNI.
For more information, view the Emeritus Policy and if interested, contact Human Resources at 319-273-2423 or via email at hrs-benefits@uni.edu.
Retirement Plans
UNI Sponsored Retirement Resources
800-842-2252
800-622-3849
Retirement Tax Law
Consult with your tax advisor regarding regulatory changes to retirement plan savings and distributions. Iowa House File 2317 provides tax relief for certain retirement incomes as well as other income tax bracket adjustments. Now is a great time to meet with your financial advisor, or an IPERS or TIAA consultant, to see how the changes may impact your income and savings plans. An online request for tax guidance is also available through the Iowa Department of Revenue.