If you are on Drake’s health plan and have not turned in your Premium Discount-Annual Physical Form – time is running out!  This is an annual requirement to receive the discount.

Employees on Drake’s health plan need to complete a physical with an in-network provider between Dec. 1, 2023, and Nov. 30, 2024, and submit a Premium Discount-Annual Physical Form by Monday, Dec. 2, 2024, to receive the wellness health insurance premium discount in 2025.

If you had your physical since Dec. 1, 2023, please fill out the form and turn it in now. If you haven’t scheduled your annual physical yet with in-network provider, you are running out of time.  If you cannot get into your provider before the deadline, please contact Broadlawns Medical Center on University – across the street from the Drake campus – to inquire about their availability.  Be sure to let them know you are from Drake and bring a copy of the physician form with you.

Please email linda.feiden@drake.edu with questions.

—Linda Feiden, Human Resources

Time is running out.  Employees on Drake’s health plan, who want to receive the wellness health insurance premium discount in 2025 need to complete a physical with an in-network provider between Dec. 1, 2023, and Nov. 30, 2024, and submit a Premium Discount-Annual Physical Form by Monday, Dec. 2, 2024, to receive the wellness health insurance premium discount in 2025.

If you had your physical since Dec. 1, 2023, please fill out the form and turn it in now. If you haven’t scheduled your annual physical yet with an in-network provider, you need to do it now.  If you cannot get into your provider, you may contact Broadlawns Medical Center on University – across the street from the Drake campus – to inquire about their availability prior to the deadline.  Be sure to let them know you are from Drake and bring a copy of the physical form with you.

You can read more about the wellness premium discount program on the Wellness Premium Discount webpage.

Please email linda.feiden@drake.edu with questions.

—Linda Feiden, Human Resources

Drake’s annual open enrollment period will close at 11:59 p.m. Monday, Dec. 2, 2024. If you have not yet reviewed or made modifications to your benefits for 2025, please visit the Benefits Portal and complete the process as soon as possible. Remember that you must re-enroll in flexible spending accounts (FSA) each year, as your current participation is not automatically continued from year to year.

Additional information about benefits for the 2025 Plan Year can be accessed through this temporary open enrollment page. If you have benefit-related or open enrollment questions, please contact Human Resources at drakehr@drake.edu at any time.

—Marlene Huertz, Human Resources

Drake added a Roth contribution option to its Voluntary Retirement Plan effective June 1, 2024.  This option allows eligible employees to make after-tax contributions that offer the potential for tax-free income in retirement.

To learn more about the Voluntary Roth contribution option, please plan to attend this presentation provided by TIAA Financial Consultant, Ricardo Diaz.

Date: Nov. 22

Time: 10-11 am

Location: CR 312, Olmsted Center

Ricardo Diaz will conduct in-person counseling sessions Nov. 22^nd and Dec. 13^th. Reserve an appointment or call 800-732-8353. To schedule a virtual counseling session, you may call 319-356-8042 or email ricardo.diaz@tiaa.org.

—Marlene Heuertz, Human Resources

If you are on Drake’s health plan and have not turned in your Premium Discount-Annual Physical Form – time is running out.  This is an annual requirement to receive a wellness premium discount – a savings of approximately $34 per month.

As a reminder, employees on Drake’s health plan need to complete a physical with an in-network provider between Dec. 1, 2023, and Nov. 30, 2024, and submit a Premium Discount-Annual Physical Form by Monday, Dec. 2, 2024, to receive the wellness health insurance premium discount in 2025.

If you had your physical since Dec. 1, 2023, please fill out the form and turn it in now. If you haven’t scheduled your annual physical yet with in-network provider, you are encouraged to do so as soon as possible.  If you cannot get into your provider, you are welcome to contact Broadlawns Medical Center on University – across the street from the Drake campus – to inquire about their availability prior to Nov. 30.  Be sure to let them know you are from Drake and bring a copy of the physical form with you.

You can read more about the discount program and download the physical form for 2025 on the Wellness Premium Discount webpage.

Besides receiving a premium discount, an annual physical is an important way to receive health information through age and gender specific examinations, schedule recommended preventative screenings, and create a doctor-patient relationship.

Please email linda.feiden@drake.edu with questions.

—Linda Feiden, Human Resources

Drake University’s Open Enrollment will be held from November 1 – December 2, 2024.  During this time, eligible employees have an opportunity to make benefit changes for the upcoming Plan Year.

Full-time employees have a unique opportunity to elect supplemental life insurance for themselves, spouses/partners, and dependent children. Drake University’s new partnership with The Hartford will provide benefit eligible employees an opportunity to purchase additional life insurance coverage in $25,000 increments up to $400,000 without providing proof of good health, during the open enrollment period.

The Hartford is providing a similar opportunity to purchase supplemental coverage for eligible dependents during the open enrollment period. Full-time employees may purchase coverage in $10,000 increments up to $100,000 (up to 50% of the employee elected amount) for their spouse/partners, as well as coverage in $2,500 increments (up to $10,000) for children up to age 26, without providing proof of good health.

This is a unique opportunity for full-time employees to purchase additional coverage beyond the Drake-sponsored basic life insurance benefit. It provides a wonderful opportunity to provide additional financial support for employees and their families in the event of a death.

If you have questions about Drake benefits, we encourage you to join us Friday, November 15th from 10:00 – 11:30 am in Room 313, Olmsted Center. Wellmark, HealthEquity and The Hartford vendors will be present to answer your questions. For additional information about Drake’s insurance benefits, click here.

As a reminder, this opportunity will only be made available during the current open enrollment period. All benefit elections for the 2025 Plan Year must be made in the Benefits Portal in myDrake no later than 11:59 p.m. on December 2, 2024.

—Debra Wiley, Human Resources

If you are on Drake’s health plan and have not turned in your Premium Discount-Annual Physical Form – time is running out!  This is an annual requirement to receive the discount.

Employees on Drake’s health plan need to complete a physical with an in-network provider between Dec. 1, 2023, and Nov. 30, 2024, and submit a Premium Discount-Annual Physical Form by Monday, Dec. 2, 2024 (please note the revised due date), to receive the wellness health insurance premium discount in 2025. This is a savings of approximately $34 per month.

If you had your physical since Dec. 1, 2023, please fill out the form and turn it in now. If you haven’t scheduled your annual physical yet with in-network provider, you are encouraged to do so as soon as possible.  If you cannot get into your provider, you are welcome to contact Broadlawns Medical Center on University – across the street from the Drake campus – to inquire about their availability prior to Nov. 30.  Be sure to let them know you are from Drake and bring a copy of the physician form with you.

You can read more about the discount program and download the physician form for 2025 on the Wellness Premium Discount webpage.

Besides receiving a premium discount, an annual physical is an important way to receive health information through age and gender specific examinations, schedule recommended preventative screenings, and create a doctor-patient relationship.

Please email linda.feiden@drake.edu with questions.

—Linda Feiden, Human Resources

Are you looking for more mental health resources?  Would you like to find ways to eat healthier and be more active?  How about getting your blood pressure and/or blood glucose checked?

This is all included in the “wellness” portion of the Benefits & Wellness Fair, held this Friday, Nov. 1 from 9-11:30 a.m. in Levitt Hall, in Old Main. 

• Employee & Family Resources (EFR) will be on-hand to share their mental health resources. In addition to counseling, EFR offers financial and legal consulting, eldercare/childcare resources, and life coaching.
• Samantha Matt, our on-campus dietitian, is ready to answer your nutrition questions. She will also be facilitating an Added Sugars in our Diet class on Tuesday, Nov. 12 from 2-3 p.m. via Microsoft Teams (register HERE). Take advantage of both opportunities.
• Students from the Drake Athletic Training Club and Kinesiology capstone class will be offering free blood pressure checks and blood glucose (sugar) screenings. There will be additional Kinesiology students on hand to discuss the benefits of physical activity as it relates to the immune system, reducing occupational stress, and aging.
• And don’t forget to stop by the Recreational Services table to get information on upcoming classes and events.

In addition to the wellness resources, there will be representatives from our benefits partners present to answer your questions, including: Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Iowa, Broadlawns, Delta Dental of Iowa, TIAA, Long Term Care Strategies, The Hartford, HealthEquity, and Avesis Vision.

This is an opportunity for you to be sure you understand and take advantage of the benefits and perks offered to you as an employee of Drake University and help prepare you to make benefit elections during the month of November, which will take effect on Jan. 1, 2025.

Lastly, don’t forget to pick up a bingo card when you arrive and have the vendors you visit stamp/mark it.  If you secure a blackout (filling in all vendor spots), we’ll enter your name in a drawing for prizes.

—Linda Feiden, Human Resources

Drake University Human Resources desires to provide opportunities for you to learn about your benefits and talk with the benefit providers. There are three upcoming opportunities for you to do so.

Benefits & Wellness Fair.  Friday, November 1 from 9-11:30 a.m. in Levitt Hall, Old Main. Interact with our benefit providers in a casual environment and fill out a bingo card for a chance to win prizes!

Virtual Benefits Overview Session. Tuesday, November 5 from 1:30-3 p.m.  Please send an email to drakehr@drake.edu to register and receive the online link.

In-Person Benefits Overview Session. Friday, November 15 from 10-11:30 a.m. in CR 313, Olmsted Center.

During both the virtual and in-person overview sessions, Drake HR and some of our key consultants and providers will share information about the benefits that will be effective January 1, 2025.  Both are great opportunities to learn and ask questions.

As we progress through Open Enrollment, please refer to the Open Enrollment Page, as it will serve as a repository of benefit communications that will be distributed during the month of November.

Remember, the 2025 Benefit Enrollment period will be from November 1 through December 2, 2024.  This is your opportunity to adjust benefits for the 2025 calendar year.  Questions may be directed to drakehr@drake.edu.

—Debra Wiley, Human Resources

This year’s Benefits and Wellness Fair will be held Friday, Nov. 1, from 9-11:30 a.m. in Levitt Hall in Old Main. Please mark your calendars and plan on attending this “come and go” event.

Representatives from our benefits partners will be present to answer your questions, including: Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Iowa, Broadlawns, Delta Dental of Iowa, TIAA, Long Term Care Strategies, The Hartford, HealthEQUITY, Avesis, and Employee & Family Resources. Chat with registered dietitian Samantha Matt and folks from Drake Recreational Services. Stop by the table hosted by the Drake Athletic Training Club to get your blood pressure taken and visit with the Drake Kinesiology students.

There will be beverages, freebies, and the chance to win prizes. Most importantly, this is an opportunity for you to be sure you understand and take advantage of the benefits and perks offered to you as an employee of Drake University and help prepare you to make benefit elections during the month of November, which will take effect on Jan. 1, 2025.

Don’t forget to pick up a bingo card when you arrive and have the vendors you visit stamp/mark it.  If you secure a blackout (filling in all vendor spots), we’ll enter your name in a drawing for prizes.

—Linda Feiden, HR