FY 2027 Approved Meeting Minutes

September 4, 2026 Meeting Minutes

FRIC Meeting Minutes 

September 4, 2026 
11:30 a.m.  - Teams Meeting 

  

Members Present: 
Julie Urmie*; John Laverty; Josey Bathke; Mary Charlton; George Hospodarsky; Cormac O'Sullivan; Angela Speers; Anand Vijh; Matthew Watson*; Chuck Wieland; Kathryn Dudley; Katie Imborek; Anya Prince; Richard Peter 

*Co-Chairs 

Members Absent: None 

Administrative Liaisons: 
Mike Kaplan; Rebecca Olson 

Guests: 
Cheryl Reardon; Cheri Smith; Julie Sexton; Dana Stafford; Erin Litton; Kate Klefstad; Melissa Twait; Britt Marcussen; Mike Barron 

 

1. Introductions and Roll Call – Urmie and Watson 

  • Co-Chair Matt Watson called the meeting to order. A quorum was established.  

2. Approval of August 2026 Meeting Minutes – Urmie and Watson 

  • Chuck Wieland moved to approve the August 2026 meeting minutes.  

  • Cormac O'Sullivan seconded the motion.  

  • The motion carried unanimously.  

3. Rate Approval Status Update - Kaplan 

  • Mike Kaplan reported that employee benefit rates were reviewed by FRIC on August 7, 2026, discussed with President Wilson on August 14, and approved by the Board of Regents Executive Director on August 18.  

  • Calendar year 2027 rates have been posted to the University Benefits website.  

  • No action was required.  

4. MCD Level 2 Coverage Update – Olson  

  • Rebecca Olson reported that effective June 2026, claims for non-UI Health Care anesthesiologists (Anesthesia Partners) working at MCD are now processed as Level 1 benefits under UIChoice and UISelect plans.  

  • Questions regarding other Level 2 issues at MCD should be directed to Patient Financial Services at Iowa Health Care.  

  • No action was required.  

5. Voluntary Benefits Update – Olson  

  • Rebecca Olson provided an update on recently introduced voluntary benefits: 

  • MetLife Short-Term Disability Insurance launched in March 2026 and currently has 1,316 enrolled employees, with approximately 80 new enrollments monthly. 

  • A special short-term disability enrollment opportunity will be available during November Open Enrollment, allowing eligible employees to enroll or increase coverage without evidence of insurability. 

  • Pet benefits launched in July 2026 and are available year-round. 

  • Current enrollment in pet benefits includes 259 employees in Nationwide Pet Health Insurance and 135 employees in Wagmo Pet Wellness coverage. 

  • No action was required.  

6. Fall 2026 Flu Vaccination Campaign - Litton 

  • Erin Litton reported that the Fall 2026 Flu Vaccination Campaign will run from September 14 through December 4, with 10 vaccination sites available across campus.  

7. FRIC Preview for AY 2026-2027 - Kaplan 

  • Mike Kaplan provided an overview of the anticipated monthly work plan and key benefits topics for the committee this academic year.  The discussion included the guiding principles that will be used to evaluate future benefit plan recommendations, a proposed schedule of recurring and strategic agenda items, and emerging issues related to benefits plan design and pricing, including GLP-1 coverage for adult weight loss.  

  • Additional analysis and discussion will be presented at future meetings as recommendations are developed. 

  • No action was required 

8. RFIC Update - Watson 

  • Matthew Watson provided an update on RFIC activities, including a meeting with CAPTRUST in August 2026 and approval of a proposed investment fund change.  

  • No action was required.  

9. Access Metrics Update - Kaplan 

  • Mike Kaplan reviewed July 2026 access metrics from UI Health Care. 

  • Primary Care metrics exceeded the 90% target in Family Medicine (91%), Internal Medicine (94%), Pediatrics (99%), and Peds Associates (100%). OB-Gyn remained below target at 73%. 

  • Several specialty areas remained below the Secondary Care target of 80%, including Dermatology, Digestive Disease, Heart and Vascular, Hospital Dentistry, Neurology, Ophthalmology, and Otolaryngology. 

  • No action was required.  

10. Adjournment 

  • Chuck Wieland moved to adjourn the meeting.  

  • Richard Peter seconded the motion.  

  • The motion carried unanimously.  

 

Next Meeting -  

October 2, 2026 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. via Teams 
 

August 7, 2026 Meeting Minutes

FRIC MEETING MINUTES

August 7, 2026

Teams Meeting 12:00 p.m.

Members Present: Julie Urmie*, John Laverty, Mary Charlton, George Hospodarsky, Cormac O'Sullivan, Angela Speers, Anand Vijh, Matthew Watson*, Chuck Wieland, Kathryn Dudley, Katie Imborek, Anya Prince.

Co-Chairs

Members Absent: Josey Bathke, Richard Peter.  

Administrative Liaisons Present: Mike Kaplan, Rebecca Olson.  

Visitors Present: Cheryl Reardon, Cheri Smith, Audrey Haddy, Erin Litton, Julie Sexton.  

Introductions and Roll Call

  • Roll call was conducted and a quorum was established  

Approval of May 2026 Meeting Minutes

  • Chuck Wieland moved to approve the May 2026 meeting minutes.
  • John Laverty seconded the motion.
  • Cormac O'Sullivan and Angela Speers abstained because they were not present at the May meeting.  

Because there were not enough eligible voting members present to approve the May 2026 minutes, Co-Chair Julie Urmie was authorized to obtain approval from absent members Josey Bathke and Richard Peter following the meeting.  

Both members subsequently reviewed and approved the May 2026 minutes via email. With those approvals received, the May 2026 minutes were approved.

CY2027 Retiree Health Rates (Information Only)

  • Kaplan presented the proposed retiree health rates.
  • Committee members discussed the proposal and asked questions.
  • No action was required.  

CY2027 Dental Rates

  • Kaplan presented the proposed CY2027 dental rates.
  • Committee members discussed the proposal and asked questions.
  • Chuck Wieland moved to approve the proposed CY2027 dental rates
  • Cormac O'Sullivan seconded the motion.
  • The motion passed unanimously.  

CY2027 Health Rates

  • Kaplan presented the proposed CY2027 health rates.
  • Committee members discussed the proposal and asked questions.
  • Chuck Wieland moved to approve the proposed CY2027 health rates.
  • John Laverty seconded the motion.
  • The motion passed unanimously.  

Family Status Cost Ratios

  • Olson presented the family status cost ratios currently used by the University of Iowa, along with Wellmark BOB and Aon recommended ranges.  

Tentative Timeline for Rate Approvals

  • Kaplan reviewed the timeline for approval of CY2027 benefit rates by the Board of Regents.  

Adjournment

  • Chuck Wieland moved to adjourn the meeting.
  • Mary Charlton seconded the motion.
  • The motion passed unanimously.  

Next Meeting: September 4, 2026, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. via Teams.