Retiree Open Enrollment

2026 Retiree Open Enrollment 

 October 15-December 7, 2025

We are pleased to announce that the benefits open enrollment period for retirees is now open. This is your once-a-year opportunity to enroll in new benefits, confirm existing benefits, or make changes. We encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity to review your benefits and make any necessary changes. 

Review the 2026 Retiree Enrollment and Change booklet.  If you still need further information, we invite you to attend one of the online Question and Answer sessions.

Schedule for Question and Answer Sessions 

We no longer hold in-person Retiree presentations.

Please note: if you do not enroll or make changes during open enrollment, you cannot make changes to your benefit elections unless you experience a qualifying life event. 

If you have any questions or need assistance with the process, please contact Department of Administrative Services, Human Resources Enterprise - 866-895-2464 or stateretirees@iowa.gov

ATTENTION: If you drop the State's Iowa Choice, National Choice, Group Program F, or Group Program N for any reason, you will NOT be able to rejoin the State-sponsored retiree health insurance options at a later date. Dropping the Group MedicareBlue Rx for Iowa Part D plan is not considered leaving the State's retiree health plans.  

Important Dates to Remember:

• October 15, 2025 - Open Enrollment Begins,  you may begin reviewing and making changes for your 2026 coverage.
• December 7, 2025 at 5:00 pm CST - Open Enrollment Closes, Applications must be postmarked by December 7, 2025,  for coverage starting January 1, 2026. No enrollments will be accepted after the deadline.
• January 1, 2026 - Benefit elections made during this Open Enrollment period are effective.

Retiree Health & Dental Premiums

2026 Group MedicareBlue Rx Formulary

Drug List  

Star Rating 

Applications and Forms  

Retiree Applications

Group MedicareBlue Rx for Iowa Application  (for Group Program F or N)

Group MedicareBlue Rx for Iowa Application (for Iowa Choice/National Choice) 

Delta Dental Application   

Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) Forms

Wellmark Automatic Payment Authorization

Group MedicareBlue Rx for Iowa Automatic Payment Authorization  

Delta Dental Automatic Payment Authorization 

Benefit Highlights

During open enrollment for 2026, this is an opportunity to:

• Change your health and/or dental plan.
• Add family member(s).
• Remove family member(s).

You do not need to complete a new application for 2026 if you:

• Do not want to change your current health plan in 2026.
• Do not want to add or remove eligible family members effective January 1, 2026.

If you choose this option, your 2025 health insurance plan and coverage level will automatically continue in 2026.

Changing Your Health Plan for 2026 

If you choose to enroll in a different 2026 retiree health insurance option, the following chart can help you decide if you need to submit a new Wellmark application. Find your current 2025 health plan option on the left and follow across to see what action is required for you to choose a different option for 2026:

Do I need to Complete a New Wellmark Application?

Do I need to Complete a Group MedicareBlue Rx for Iowa Application?

Things to Remember:

• If you drop your State of Iowa health or dental plans, there is no provision to rejoin the group.
• If you are Medicare eligible and enroll in an outside  supplement or advantage plan, you must contact the State of Iowa as your cancellation is not automatically forwarded.
• If your spouse is covered under the State of Iowa’s health or dental plans at the time of your death, your spouse can continue coverage.
• You may remove a spouse or dependent at any time.
• You can only enroll a family member during a qualified life event or annual Open Enrollment period.
• If you are becoming Medicare eligible in 2026, there is no need to do anything during Open Enrollment. You will be sent a packet of information approximately three months prior to turning 65.
• If you or any of your dependents become Medicare eligible when on retiree insurance, you MUST enroll in Medicare Parts A and B, and Medicare becomes the primary payer at the time of eligibility.  If you do not enroll in Medicare Parts A or B, you will be responsible for the portion of your health care costs that Medicare would pay.

Contact Information  

• Department of Administrative Services, Human Resources Enterprise - 866-895-2464 or send an email to: stateretirees@iowa.gov
• Wellmark, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Iowa – Customer Service - 800-622-0043
• MedicareBlue Rx  – Customer Service - 877-838-3827
• Medicare website - www.medicare.gov/
• Senior Health Insurance Information Program For assistance, call 800-351-4664, email shiip@iid.iowa.gov, or visit the website at www.shiip.iowa.gov.