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 who wish to receive the wellness health insurance premium discount in 2026, need to complete a physical exam with an in-network provider between Dec. 1, 2024 and Nov. 30, 2025, and submit a completed Premium Discount-Annual Physical Form  by Dec. 1, 2025.

If you cannot get an appointment with your doctor by the Dec. 1, 2025 deadline, or you do not have a primary care provider, you may contact the Broadlawns Community Clinic by Drake (2970 University Ave.) at 515-216-5100 to make an appointment.  Let them know you are from Drake and need to make an appointment for a wellness exam.  Most individuals can get in within two or three days, but please do not wait until the last week to contact them or they may not have available openings.

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

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

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources

Visit this year’s Benefits and Wellness Fair Wednesday, Nov. 5, from 9–11:30 a.m. in Levitt Hall, Old Main.

Representatives from many of our benefits partners will be present to answer your questions.  In addition, we will have a variety of wellbeing resources:

• Employee & Family Resources (EFR) will be on-hand to share resources and answer questions. In addition to counseling, EFR offers financial and legal consulting, eldercare and childcare resources, life coaching and more.
• Samantha Matt, our on-campus dietitian, will answer your nutrition questions. She and Gail Witte will also be facilitating a Mindful Moves & Meals: Wellness for Busy Professionals class on Wednesday, Nov. 12, from 2–3 p.m. in the Paul Morrison Room in the Knapp Center. Click HERE to register.
• Representatives from the Drake Kinesiology department will offer free blood pressure checks. It is always good to know this number in tracking your health.
• We will have staff from Recreational Services ready to share information on upcoming Group X classes, and much more.

Fill out a BINGO card during the fair and you will be placed in a drawing for a chance to win a prize. 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 open enrollment (from Oct. 31 to Dec. 1 this year), which will take effect on Jan. 1, 2026.

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources