Moderate increases proposed for employee health care premiums

ISU Plan participants won't see any changes in their health care or dental care coverage as proposed for the 2026 plan year. Employee premiums for the Wellmark HMO and PPO plans will go up, about 10% on average, though Iowa State will continue to cover the majority -- just over 86% -- of the total cost of the health care plans.

Increases to employees' premiums are smaller relative to increases announced a year ago for the current plan year. Benefits director Ed Holland said that reflects both the impact of the changes implemented for the 2024 plan year and better-than-anticipated claims.

Most employee dental premiums shrink

The total monthly premiums (employee and employer shares) for both the basic and comprehensive dental plans will remain flat in 2026. However, employees will pay less, $10-$20 less except for no change to the single employee premium for basic coverage, and the university will pick up that difference in premium.

"We wanted to lower the employee contribution to have a competitive plan in the market," Holland said. "This is strictly a contribution change; the dental plan designs were not altered."

The proposed 2026 health and dental packages await final approval by the Iowa Board of Regents in September.

"Iowa State University is committed to providing competitive, affordable benefits to support our employees and their families," wrote vice president for university human resources Kristi Darr and senior vice president operations and finance Sean Reeder in a June 30 memo to faculty and staff. "As health care costs continue to rise in Iowa and across the nation, Iowa State has been working to minimize the impact on employees."

Getting ready for fall enrollment

The annual open enrollment window for the 2026 plan year is Nov. 3-21. The benefits team created an education website with information and tools to help employees make the most of their benefits. Once the regents sign off on the 2026 plans, the education materials will be updated to reflect the new plans.

Also this fall, university human resources will distribute a benefits survey to employees as part of its regular evaluation of the employee benefits package. The most recent survey was distributed in November 2022.

HMO: Proposed increases to monthly premiums

PPO: Proposed increases to monthly premiums