New This Year
Changes to the UI Choice Health Insurance Plan
UI Choice participants will benefit from seeking care at one of the nation’s top-rated providers. Beginning in January 2010, co-pays for office visits to any UI Health Care provider will be only $5, while co-pays to non-UI providers will now be $20 per office visit. All members of the UI family benefit when the UI family receives care in the UI system.
Detailed information about changes to UI Choice coverage is available from UI Benefits.
Enhanced Access to Nationally Recognized Health Care
UI Health Care is making it easier than ever for UI employees to schedule appointments at any UI Health Care clinic. New procedures, coupled with more available appointment times, will reduce wait times and facilitate better access to the world-class health care UI providers deliver. Changes include:
- Beginning in October, obstetrics and gynecology will provide special clinic hours, reserved for UI employees.
- UI Health Care – Lone Tree offers extended hours, Monday through Friday.
- UI Health Care – Southeast Iowa City will begin offering extended hours until 7 p.m. in November.
- UI QuickCare – East will open near Sycamore Mall in November with expanded morning, evening, and weekend hours.
- UI QuickCare – Old Capitol Town Center will open at 7 a.m. Monday through Friday, beginning in November. This UI QuickCare location is open until 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, and from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
- UI Health Care – River Crossing, expected to open in February 2010, will be conveniently located just off Highway 218 near Riverside to serve nearby communities.
- UI Sports Medicine's new facility is conveniently located just off Mormon Trek Boulevard and features free parking.
Coordinated Care
The UI Health Plans Office is available to help UI employees and their families schedule appointments and coordinate care. Everyone in the UI family can receive that world-class care in locations close and convenient to their homes in a manner that is coordinated, efficient, and cost-effective. For assistance, call UI Health Plans at 319-353-7531 or 800-356-8442.
MyChart
In 2010, UI Health Care patients will be able to access their own electronic medical record through a new service called MyChart. MyChart will provide patients a secure, online tool to request an appointment, ask questions, request prescription refills, review their medical records, and see test results.
Integrated Billing
A coordinated scheduling function and common billing platform across the system is being developed to include all off-site primary care locations. The new billing system will consolidate all charges from an office visit into a single bill—no more separate bills for physician fees, office visit, lab work, and other services.
Why Choose UI For Your Care?
Choosing UI Health Care providers is a "win-win-win" for UI employees, providing the best care, enhanced convenience, and lower costs to individuals and the system.
Each year University of Iowa employees have the opportunity to choose the health plan and health care providers that best meet their needs. Choosing UI Health Care providers gives employees several advantages:
- Improved access to world-class, comprehensive health care for every medical problem, from keeping you healthy to serious illnesses and injuries. UI Health Care is consistently recognized nationally for the quality of care it provides.
- Greater convenience, with services available at UI Hospitals and Clinics and our growing network of clinics throughout Johnson County and other communities. We’re also making it easier for you to schedule appointments, access your medical information, pay your bills, and coordinate your care.
- Lower co-pays for UI Choice participants with UI Health Care providers than with those outside our network.
- Overall cost savings for the University. Because the UI is self-insured, it costs less to pay our own providers than to pay providers outside our network. These savings mean more resources to maintain the best level of care possible, support our research and education missions, and preserve jobs at UI.