Frequently Asked Questions

2025 Annual Enrollment opens Monday, Oct. 21, and ends at midnight Pacific time, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024.

• Blue Cross of Idaho Medical Plans
  • Rate increases vary from $2.17 - $25.72 per pay period depending on the plan and coverage level you choose
• Decrease in the Standard PPO Medical Plan annual prescription drug cost-share maximums
  • Employee-only coverage: $4,625 ($250 decrease)
  • Family coverage: $9,250 ($500 decrease)
• Willamette Dental
  • Rate increases vary from $1.78 - $7.22 per pay period depending on the coverage level you choose
• Health Savings Account (HSA) contribution maximums (employee and U of I combined) will increase, per 2025 IRS limits
  • Employee-only coverage: $4,300 ($150 increase)
  • Family coverage: $8,550 ($250 increase)
• No rate increases for the following benefits: Delta Dental Standard or Plus plans, Vision plan, Disability and Life Insurance.

New Benefits Available in 2025

Delta Dental Plan Enhancements: Delta Dental plans are improving with no additional cost to you. The Standard Plan will cover a larger portion of your dental expenses. If you need oral surgery, care for your gums or minor restorations, the plan will pay 80% (up from 75%) after you pay your deductible. For major services and tooth replacement, the plan will pay 50% (up from 45%) after you pay your deductible. If you select the Plus Plan, your annual maximum benefit will increase by $500 to $2,000 per person each year.

New Cancer Care Benefit: You and your covered dependents on a university medical plan will have access to Blue Cross of Idaho’s Cancer Care program, which offers comprehensive assistance to individuals after a cancer diagnosis. With support from oncology-trained nurses, the program guides you to educational resources in your community, helps with special pharmacy needs and provides emotional support.

Universal Life Insurance with Long-Term Care Benefit: This new voluntary benefit provides protection for unexpected events and to help with long-term care services.

GradFin: Get expert guidance on managing student loan debt and federal loan forgiveness programs with this voluntary benefit.

CredibleMind: You and your dependents now have access to CredibleMind, a new online platform offering mental health, emotional, psychological and social wellbeing resources. Visit uidaho.crediblemind.com to find thousands of vetted resources, including videos, podcasts, apps, online programs and articles. Available to all employees, even if you waive coverage.

When you're ready to enroll or make changes to your current coverage, log in to MyUI > Employee Resources card > myBenefits.

If you work full time and do not enroll by the deadline, most 2024 elections will roll over to 2025 at 2025 contribution rates. Your elections for contributions to a Health Savings Account (HSA), Health Care Flexible Spending Account (FSA) or Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (DCFSA) will not roll over to 2025.

If you work less than full-time and do not enroll by the deadline, you will be placed in waived coverage in 2025. Any benefit elections you made in 2024 will not roll over.

To contribute to an HSA, FSA or DCFSA in 2025, you must enroll by the deadline. Even if you have an account this year, your contribution elections will not roll over.

Each year you have the opportunity to change your benefit elections during the Annual Enrollment period. If you do not enroll, re-enroll or make changes during the Annual Enrollment period, you will not be able to change your benefit elections again until the next Annual Enrollment period, unless you experience a qualifying life event.

To be covered under a university dental or vision plan, you must be enrolled in a university medical plan. However, your eligible dependents can be covered under a university dental or vision plan as long as you (the employee) are enrolled in a university medical plan.

Yes, if you are adding a dependent who is not currently covered on the plan, you will be required to provide proof of relationship to verify eligibility for coverage. Acceptable forms of documentation include marriage license, birth certificate, adoption papers, tax records, financial interdependency documents, etc. You can also provide a single tax document, like a tax return, as long as it lists all dependents you want to cover.

Documentation must be uploaded to the benefits portal at MyUI > Employee Resources card > myBenefits > View/Upload Required Documents by Jan. 31, 2025.

An Other Eligible Adult is defined as someone who is:

• Age 18 or older and mentally competent to consent, and
• Not legally married to anyone, and
• Has resided together continuously with the employee for the previous six months, and intend to do so indefinitely, and
• Is financially interdependent with the employee, as demonstrated by joint leases, utility bills, bank accounts, etc.

Other Eligible Adults and their dependent children are eligible for University of Idaho coverage. Learn more.

Once you elect your benefits and provide all required documentation, your Annual Enrollment will be finalized and your enrollment information will be sent electronically to the carriers. This process can take several weeks.

Medical — Blue Cross of Idaho

• Insurance cards will be mailed directly to you. Dependents are not issued separate cards and they are not listed on your cards. They will use the same card you use. 
• Additional copies can be printed from the Blue Cross of Idaho website.

Prescription Drug — CVS Caremark

• Insurance cards will be mailed directly to you. Dependents are not issued separate cards and they are not listed on your cards. They will use the same card you use. 
• Additional copies can be printed from the CVS Caremark website.

Dental — Delta Dental

• Insurance cards will be mailed directly to you. Dependents are not issued separate cards and they are not listed on your cards. They will use the same card you use. 
• Additional copies can be printed from the Delta Dental website.

Dental — Willamette Dental

• Insurance cards will not be mailed to you. When making appointments you will provide the information necessary for them to identify you and your dependents in their system.

Vision — VSP

• Insurance cards will not be mailed to you. When making appointments you will provide the information necessary for them to identify you and your dependents in their system.

If you need to see a doctor before your cards arrive, providers will confirm your coverage by asking for certain information, usually your name, date of birth and social security number. Please review our guide to accessing employee benefits.

Benefits coverage for your child will end on the last day of the month in which they turn 26.