Benefits Open Enrollment
Iowa State University recognizes County Paid Extension employees have different needs. We offer a benefit program that will allow you to choose between different benefit options to design the benefit plan that is right for you.
The 2026 Open Enrollment Period:
Opens: Monday, November 3, 2025 at 8:00am
Closes: Friday, November 21, 2025 at 5:00pm
Submit Open Enrollment Forms by: 12:00pm Wednesday, November 19, 2025
Open Enrollment is the time of year when you have an opportunity to elect or change your benefits for plan year 2026. Even if you are not planning to change your benefit elections, it is a great opportunity to review your benefits and dependents. It is the County Paid Extension employee's responsibility to be aware of open enrollment and to review benefit elections and eligible dependents.
2026 Benefit Changes
- Total medical monthly premiums are increasing
- Dependent Care Assistance Program - annual maximum limit increasing to $7,500
- Healthcare Flexible Spending Account - annual maximum limit increasing to $3,400
- 2026 carryover limit is increasing to $680
Not Changing
- No changes to dental monthly premiums
- No changes to dental plan design
- No changes to the medical plan design (copays, deductible, coinsurance or out-of-pocket maximums)
- No changes to pharmacy plan design
2026 Open Enrollment Presentation Slides (PDF)
Wellmark Summary of Benefits BlueHMO
Wellmark Summary of Benefits BluePPO
Meetings with Benefits Office Staff
If you have questions or would like to meet with a Benefits Office staff member, please call 515-294-4800 or email benefits@iastate.edu to schedule an appointment. We can hold virtual or in-person meetings. We anticipate a high volume of calls in November, so please be patient and leave a message. We will work to return calls as quickly as possible.
What Should I Do During Open Enrollment?
- Review your current benefit plan elections and determine if any changes need to be made
- Verify your dependents to confirm eligibility
- Complete Open Enrollment Form to make any changes for the 2026 Plan Year
- Dependent documentation required - be prepared to submit copies of the following:
- If adding spouse - copy of marriage certificate plus one additional document verifying same residence
- If adding domestic partner - Declaration of Domestic Partnership form (available from your HR contact person) plus one additional document verifying same residence
- If adding children - copy of birth certificate
- Flexible Spending Accounts must be re-elected every year; your current year election will not carry over to the new plan year
- No changes will be allowed after 5 p.m. on November 21, 2025
When Do Changes Become Effective?
- January 1, 2026 – Medical, Dental, Health Care Flexible Spending Account and Dependent Care Assistance Program
- No changes will be allowed for forms received after November 21, 2025
Additional Resources
Wellmark's ACA Preventive Services
Understanding Medical Coverage Cost video
Forms
Declaration of Domestic Relationship
This webpage is not a complete description of the Iowa State University benefit plans. Nothing on this webpage supersedes or changes any of the terms and conditions of any plan documents, insurance policies, contracts or other legal agreements. If the wording on this webpage contradicts any plan documents, insurance policies, contracts or other legal agreements, the wording in the official document and agreements will govern.