Health Care: The Union Difference
Before UE-COGS, the University’s only graduate employee health care plan was SHIP (Student Health Insurance Plan), offering meager catastrophic coverage and no preventive care. Since 1997, our union contract has made GradCare available to TAs and RAs and their families. GradCare is an affordable, comprehensive health and prescription drug plan. Our contract guarantees that the UI will cover 90% of the premium cost for single employees, and 70% of the premium cost for domestic partners, spouses, children, and families (see below). For a more detailed description of coverages and co-pays, go to http://www.cogs.org/contract.htm#AppendixA
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Plan Highlights
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Grad Care Coverage (Guarantee under union contract) |
SHIP Coverage (“Student Health Insurance Plan”) |
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Routine Physical Exams
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Free
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Free
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Prescription Drugs (including contraceptives)
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You pay $7 or 25%, whichever is greater
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3-Tier Plan: 25% Generics, 30-50% Name Brands
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Routine Vision and Hearing Exams
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You pay $10 copayment (free at UIHC) |
Not Covered
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Mental Health Office Visit
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Free at UIHC or Wellmark Plan of Iowa Provider
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$10 copayment
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Office Calls
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$10 copayment
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$10 copayment
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Hospitalization and Surgeries
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You pay 10% after $125 daily deductible for room and 10% for all other services
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You pay 10% after $300 deductible and 10% for all other services
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Allergy Treatments and Chiropractic
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You pay $10 copayment
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You pay $15 copayment
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Lab Tests and X-rays
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You pay 10%
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You pay $15 copayment
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Emergency Services
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You pay 10% after $50 copayment
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You pay $50
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Annual Out-of-Pocket Maximum
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Annual cost to you capped at: $1,000 single/ $1,700 family; same rate for prescription drugs
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Annual cost to you capped at: $1,700 single/ $3,400 family; prescription drug cost to you capped at $1,000 single / $2,000 family |
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Monthly Cost to Employee
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Employee Only: $34.70 Employee + Partner: $219.00 Employee + Family: $433.50 |
Employee Only: $21.50 Employee + Partner: $356.40 Employee + Children: $325.20 Employee + Family: $453.60 |
Dental Care: The Union Difference
Another benefit made possible by our union is dental insurance. Our contract requires the UI to pay 85% of the premium cost for employees who sign up for dental coverage. For graduate employees with dependents, the UI is required to pay 70% of the premium cost for dependent and family plans.
Plan Highlights |
Delta Dental Coverage |
2017-18 Monthly Cost to EmployeeEmployee $3.75 Employee + spouse/partner $13.50 Employee + children $20.10 Employee + family $24.00 |
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Checkups; Diagnostic & Preventive Services
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Free
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Cavity Fillings, Oral Surgery, & Emergency Pain Treatment
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You pay 20% after $25 deductible ($75 deductible for family plans)
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Crowns, Inlays, Bridges, or Dentures
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You pay 50% after $25 deductible ($75 deductible for family plans)
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Maximum annual benefit (exclusive of accident care covered under UI GradCare plan)
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$1000 per person
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Enrolling for Health and Dental Coverage
Insurance coverage for new RAs/TAs with academic year appointments begins September 1 (August 1 for fiscal year appointments). New employees must submit a Health Insurance Application to the UI Benefits Office (120 USB) by September 9, 2017 in order to receive coverage retroactive to September 1. You should receive a benefits booklet, including this form from the university at your home or campus address. If you do not receive by September 1, you can request a form from the Benefits Office by phoning 335-2676 or website. Forms and assistance are also available from your COGS Steward and at the COGS Office (phone 337-5074).
International Students: International students are routinely auto-enrolled in the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP). If you are an international student hired for an assistantship of 25% or more, you have the right to switch to UI GradCare, which provides much better coverage for a slightly greater monthly cost for RAs, TAs, and family members. To change coverage, circle UI GradCare on the Health Insurance Application.
Dental Care: To sign up for dental coverage, circle “Dental” on the Graduate Employee Health Insurance Application. You must sign up for dental care during an open enrollment period (September, January, or June). **NOTE*: The Dental option is not printed on the Graduate Student Health Insurance Application, so if using one of these forms, you must write and circle “Dental” next to UI GradCare.
Selecting a Primary Care Manager: Primary care physicans are available throughout the UIHC system for anyone on UIGradCare. This includes physicians in the Family Practice and Internal Medicine Clinics at UIHC, the Community Medical Service Clinics, and Student Health Service. Student Health Services director Dr. Mary Kowassah is automatically identified as the care manager for all graduate employees. Employees are, however, encouraged to develop a relationship with a physician at any of these clinics and to request her/him by name when calling for appointments. Information on Student Health Physicians on staff is available at http://www.uiowa.edu/~shs/general_info/staff.shtml. Assistance in selecting another physican in the UIHC system can be found through UI Health Access http://www.uihealthcare.com/depts/uihealthaccess/index.html). Female employees may designate a co-care manager from UIHC OB/Gyn; spouses, partners, and children must designate a primary care manager from UIHC Family Practice, Internal Medicine, or Pediatrics (lists available inside UI Benefits Booklet).