July 2026

If you have children or dependents living out of state, or you’re retired and plan to head south for the winter, you’ll be pleased to know about Wellmark’s Guest Membership option available through your Iowa Choice insurance coverage.

Your Wellmark Iowa Choice plan provides a Guest Membership benefit for retirees and active employees’ eligible dependents who reside outside Wellmark’s Blue HMO network for 90 consecutive days or more in a plan year. The Guest Membership benefit enables dependents and retirees to access covered services from Blue Cross and Blue Shield participating hospitals, physicians, and other health care providers in the state where the covered dependent or retiree is set up on guest membership. Guest Membership is only available within the United States.

Copays, deductible, and coinsurance remain the same as long as you are seeing a participating provider. To access an out-of-state provider, use the indemnity network on Provider Finder on Wellmark.com.

Learn more and request a Guest Membership by contacting Wellmark’s customer service at 800-622-0043.

Understanding the role of fluoride in oral health

Dental care is an important part of your overall health. Prevention plays a key role in that, so much so that your dental plan through Delta Dental of Iowa covers the cost of routine checkups and cleanings. This includes fluoride applications one time every 12 months through age 18.

What is fluoride? Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that strengthens tooth enamel, which is the hard outer surface of your teeth that helps protect from decay. It can even help rebuild weakened areas of tooth enamel.

To effectively protect your teeth, fluoride should be included as part of your daily routine at home, not just your regular dental appointments. You may not know that you are likely protecting your teeth with fluoride from multiple sources already.

Toothpaste — All toothpastes that have earned the American Dental Association’s (ADA) Seal of Acceptance contain fluoride. You should brush your teeth with a fluoride toothpaste twice a day for two minutes each time.

Local Community Water — Approximately 75% of U.S. water supplies have added fluoride because consistent exposure is beneficial.

Mouthwash — Like toothpaste, mouthwash that contains fluoride can help protect your teeth from decay.

Fluoride supplements — Dentists can give prescriptions for supplements in the form of a tablet, drop or lozenge to those that may not have access to fluoridated water or have a higher need to protect from cavities.

It is important to keep in mind that too much fluoride can be harmful to children, so it’s a good idea to supervise and make sure they’re using the appropriate amount of toothpaste when brushing. Children 3 and under should use an amount the size of a grain of rice, and 3 and older should use a small pea-sized amount.

For more information on fluoride applications, visit the Delta Dental of Iowa blog. To learn more about your Delta Dental benefits, log in to Member Connection or find a provider near you.

Healthy snacks for road trips and picnics

No-cost health and well-being seminars offered online

On-demand online seminars covering various health and well-being topics are available from Acentra, the state’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provider, at www.EAPHelplink.com. Use Company Code: IOWA and click on e-learning for a list of available online seminars.

Seminars are free of charge, with the most current offerings available on the dates listed below.

• July 21 | Resilience Reset: 5 Ways to Thrive Through Change - Learn proven techniques to manage competing demands and maintain balance without burnout.

EAP also offers confidential resources at no cost to help employees and eligible family members address many of life’s challenges. For more information on EAP resources, visit the DAS Employee Assistance Program web page.

To help you navigate the new system, please visit the State of Iowa’s Workday Learning Path to view and access the following training resources.

DOT employees can access the Performance Review Process Overview for Employees (on-demand course) through DOT’s Workday. Additional DOT resources are available online.

For any immediate questions, please reach out to your agency’s HR staff.

Entering time for observed holidays

A new guide with information on entering time during a pay period with an observed holiday is available now. Review the Enter Time for Observed Holiday Guide before Sept. 7, 2026, the State’s next observed holiday.

Long summer days are perfect for relaxing, but the midpoint of the year is also the ideal time to tune up your financial roadmap. Ensure your strategy still aligns with your goals by auditing your retirement strategy with the Iowa Retirement Investors’ Club (RIC).

Here is your quick mid-year checklist:

RIC offers free monthly webinars for state employees led by the RIC team and the providers. Check out the RIC Financial Webinar Calendar for a listing of all webinars. You are welcome to join sessions during your designated lunch hour or scheduled breaks.

Preview of upcoming webinars:

Live fully, spend confidently in retirement

Explore research-backed insights and practical steps for strengthening lifelong well-being through your connection with others. For many people, planning for their future starts with money. But there's another part of your future worth planning for — and it starts with staying connected. Strong social connections are positively correlated with cognitive health, reduced risk of serious illness, and a longer life.

Our new research explores why the shift from saving to spending is one of retirement's biggest challenges — and how having a clear plan for reliable income can improve spending confidence.

Give your future self a potential raise by increasing your contributions

Everyone loves getting a raise. It’s a great feeling when the number on your annual income gets a nice bump. But what about your future retirement income? How can you give your future self a potential raise so you can make your post-working life a little more comfortable?

It can start with increasing the amount you contribute to your retirement account with each pay period right now. It’s a simple formula: By saving more today, you can have a brighter tomorrow — especially when you factor in the power of compounded growth potential.

Celebrate financial independence this July

This month, as we celebrate Independence Day and the freedoms we enjoy as Americans, it's also a great time to think about another important goal: financial independence. July offers the perfect opportunity to take a closer look at your retirement plan and ensure you're moving toward the future you envision.

Whether you're just starting to build momentum or preparing for retirement, a midyear review can help you assess your savings, revisit your goals, and adjust based on changes in your life or the economy.

Achieving financial independence doesn't happen overnight. It is built through consistent planning, informed decisions, and regular check-ins along the way. The sooner you begin, the more time your retirement savings work for you.

This July, as we celebrate 250 years of our nation's independence, take a step toward securing your own financial freedom. Schedule a meeting with a Horace Mann representative and invest in a future that gives you greater confidence, flexibility, and peace of mind.

Turn small increases into long-term progress

Saving more for retirement doesn’t always require big changes. Even small increases to your contribution rate can make a meaningful difference over time.

Start small. Increasing contributions by just 1% can help boost your retirement savings without significantly impacting your take-home pay.

Make it a habit. Gradually increasing your savings over time can help you stay on track while adjusting to changes in your budget.

Think long term. Consistent contributions may benefit from compounding growth over time.

Small changes today can make a big difference tomorrow. Here is how you can manage your retirement contributions: