Benefits Open Enrollment

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 2025 Open Enrollment Period:

Opens: Friday, November 1, 2024 at 8:00am

Closes:  Friday, November 22 2024 at 5:00pm

Submit Open Enrollment Forms by:  12:00pm Thursday, November 21, 2024 

Open Enrollment is the time of year when you have an opportunity to elect or change your benefits for plan year 2025. 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.

 

2025 Benefit Changes

  • Total medical monthly premiums are decreasing
  • Total dental monthly premiums are increasing
  • Healthcare Flexible Spending Account - 2025 annual maximum contribution limit is $3,300.
  • Healthcare Flexible Spending Account - 2025 carryover limit $660

Not Changing

 

2025 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 made
  • Verify your dependents to confirm eligibility
  • Complete Open Enrollment Form to make any changes for the 2025 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 22, 2024

 

When Do Changes Become Effective?

  • January 1, 2025 – Medical, Dental, Health Care Flexible Spending Account and Dependent Care Assistance Program
  • No changes will be allowed for forms received after November 22, 2024

 

Additional Resources

Medical Insurance Glossary

Wellmark's ACA Preventive Services

myWellmark flyer

How to Read your EOB

How to Prevent Billing Issues

Wellmark PCP Selection

Unexpected Pharmacy Costs

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.