• Protecting Your Skin & Sun Safety
• Hootie's Tip: Dermatology Resources on UMR & Bind Health Plans
• Money Tips for Newlyweds
• Coping During Uncertain Times
  
• Employee Benefits Contacts: Who We Are & How We Can Help
  

Summer is here, and the great outdoors awaits with swimming, barbeques, hiking, and walks with your dog. Don't forget to protect your body's largest organ, your skin, while you enjoy this season. Skin is the body's protective barrier from the bacteria, viruses, pollution, and chemical substances that are encountered in the outside world. Skin also regulates body temperature, maintains fluid balance, recognizes pain to alert us of danger, and protects us against the sun's harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays. Protecting your skin is important year-round, but we tend to spend more time outdoors during this time of year.

TIPS FOR PROTECTING YOUR SKIN:

• Shade. Staying under an umbrella, tree, or shelter if possible can reduce your risk of sun damage.
• Clothing. While darker clothing sounds hotter, it can be more protective from the sun. You can also find many long-sleeved shirts now specifically designed for sun wear that are meant to be both protective and cooling.
• Hat. A baseball cap is better than no hat, but a hat with a wide brim will offer the most protection and save your neck from a sunburn.
• Sunglasses. Not only will they protect the skin near your eyes, but they also will offer protection for your eyes since UV rays can increase the risk of cataracts. Look for sunglasses that offer UV protection if possible. Wrap-around sunglasses keep rays from coming in the sides.
• Sunscreen. The most important of all is applying sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15 and remembering to apply everywhere and reapply after a few hours or after swimming. They do expire, so also be sure they are still valid since expired sunscreens might not do the job efficiently for you.

Sources: Cancer | CDC

Live Inspired 2022 Benefit & Wellbeing Calendar

Both the UMR and Bind district health plans offer resources to assist with dermatology needs. Dermatologists treat a variety of skin conditions including, but not limited to: rashes, acne, irritations, or examination of other abnormalities including moles that appear irregular.

UMR:

• Under the UMR plan, a visit with a dermatologist is considered a specialist visit with a $50 co-pay if with an in-network provider.
• UMR includes access to TELADOC which incudes a dermatology option for $15. You are able to upload an image of your skin issue online or on the app and receive a treatment plan within an average of 2 days. This may be a good option if your issue seems less severe and could get you in with a physician sooner. You are able to access TELADOC by calling (800)-TELADOC or 800-835-2362 or via www.teladoc.com. If you are using the website for the first time, you will need to register.

Bind:

• Under the Bind plan, the cost of a dermatology specialty visit will depend on the provider you choose through your app. The app will guide you to higher quality and lower cost providers.
• Your Bind plan includes a "Doctor-On-Demand" feature which is at no cost. This includes a virtual visit with a physician. Dermatology is one of the specialties included. This can be accessed by typing in "doctor on demand" in the search function on your app.

Research suggests that 70% of married millennial couples argue about financial decisions more than any other topic. This could explain why some experts say financial problems are one of the top reasons marriages fail.

Fortunately, when couples work together to address their finances, they may be able to lessen many of the problems money may cause in a marriage.

1. Communication. Couples should consider talking about their financial goals, memories, and habits, as each partner may come into the marriage with fundamental differences in experiences and outlooks driving their behavior.

2. Set Goals. Setting goals establishes a common objective that both partners become committed to pursuing.

3. Create a Budget. A budget is an exercise for developing a spending and savings plan that is designed to reflect mutually agreed upon priorities.

4. Set the Foundation for Your Financial House. Identify assets and debts. Look to begin reducing debts, while building your emergency fund.

5. Work Together. By sharing the financial decision-making, both spouses are vested in all choices, reducing the friction that can come from having a single decision-maker.

6. Set a Minimum Threshold for Big Expenses. While possessing a level of individual spending latitude is reasonable, large expenditures should only be made with both spouses' consent. Agree to a purchase amount that requires discussion and a mutual decision.

7. Schedule Regular Meetings. Set aside a predetermined time once or twice a month to discuss finances. Talk about budgeting, upcoming expenses, and any changes in circumstances.

8. Update and Revise. As a newly married couple, you may need to update the beneficiaries on your accounts, reevaluate your insurance coverage, and revise (or create) your will.

9. Love, Trust, and Honesty. Approach difficult subjects with care and understanding, be honest about money decisions you know your spouse might be upset with, and trust your spouse to be responsible with handling finances.

10. Consider Speaking with a Financial Professional. A financial professional may offer insights to help you work through the critical financial decisions that all married couples face.

Source: RPA (Retirement Plan Advisors)

Deb Anton is a financial advisor with RPA and handles the 457 (b) Deferred Compensation Plan through the district. She works alongside payroll for those interested in additional savings outside of their KPERS. She can be reached at (316)210-5049 or at danton@retirementplanadvisors.com.

We cannot turn on the news or log onto social media without hearing something heartbreaking: horrific school shootings that won't stop, the most recent only one week ago in Texas with school staff and young children who were celebrating their last day before summer.

If not school shootings, it is racially motivated killings, random violence, the war in Ukraine, or suicides of young and old that we cannot fathom.

Depending on your level of stress caused by these events, ComPsych has a variety of resources that can provide assistance. This may include being matched with a therapist. It could also include reading through some resource material including the below webinar about coping with uncertain times.

Once logged in to your account, you can use the following link to register and watch this webinar:

GuidanceResources Uncertain Times Training (e2ma.net)

You can also click right on this live on-demand training that can help adults have conversations with children about the shootings such as the one that just occurred in Uvalde, Texas. ComPsych recognizes this is an incredibly difficult time for many and that for parents, children, and those in the school setting, it is especially sensitive.

Talking To Kids About Violent Events With Widespread Media Coverage