A Life Well Lived: CalHR Benefits Newsletter – January 2026
New year, fresh start. We’re here to help you feel your best. Small steps add up. Book appointments, try a wellness activity and make smart money moves.
Schedule Your Annual Checkups
Start the year off right by scheduling your preventive appointments. If you don’t yet have a provider, use the tiles below to find contact information for your health, dental, and vision plans, and access your plan’s resources to locate a provider near you.
- Medical: Schedule your annual visit with your primary care provider. Preventive checkups can catch health issues early and are often fully covered, helping you avoid more costly care down the line.
- Dental: Don’t wait to book your cleaning, as regular teeth cleanings help prevent more expensive dental procedures later in the year, and early appointments fill up fast. For Delta Dental members, diagnostic and preventive services are available at no cost.
- Vision: January is Glaucoma Awareness Month. Even if you don’t wear glasses, eye exams can screen for vision changes and detect health issues like diabetes or high cholesterol. Schedule an appointment with your eye doctor today.
Did you change plans during Open Enrollment? Your new coverage starts in January. View the Benefits Summary Guide for benefits details and contact information.
Health Plans Contact Information
Discover all health plan Summary of Coverage and Evidence of Coverage documents.
Dental Plans Contact Information
Find contact information for all available Dental Plan options.
VSP Contact Information
Visit the VSP website to learn more about your vision plan.
Wellness Spotlight: Be A Better You
Starting January 1, 2026, state employees and their families can access Live Well, CalHR’s newly updated Employee Wellness Program, powered by Grokker. Designed to support your whole wellbeing, Live Well replaces the Healthier U program with a more modern, engaging experience to help you thrive at work and in life.
With Live Well, you get unlimited access to:
- 4,000+ on-demand classes on fitness, mindfulness, nutrition, financial wellbeing, and sleep
- 150+ wellness programs and expert guidance from 130+ trainers
- Simple tools to build healthy habits and track your progress
How to get started:
- Register on the wellness platform.
- Take the short quiz for personalized recommendations.
- Track your Wellbeing Minutes. Try a yoga class or a guided meditation on the platform or sync a device.
- Join the challenge and build momentum week by week.
Ready to get started? Click the Live Well below to create an account!
Keep Smiling: 6 Reasons to See Your Dentist
Even with good brushing and flossing habits, dental cleanings play a big role in your overall health. Regular visits can:
- Prevent cavities: remove plaque and tartar buildup
- Stop tooth loss: catch gum disease early
- Brighten your smile: polish away stains
- Freshen your breath: keep your mouth healthy and odor-free
- Boost overall health: dentists can spot signs of conditions like heart disease or stroke risk
- Save money: preventive visits are often low or no cost and can prevent costly treatments later
Use your dental benefits to schedule a cleaning today! Read the article below for more information on what a dental cleaning can do for you!
Protect Your Sight: Glaucoma Awareness Month
Glaucoma is a leading cause of vision loss, often with no early symptoms. Regular, comprehensive eye exams help find changes early and protect your sight over time.
Risk factors include:
- Severe nearsightedness (high myopia)
- Diabetes
- Previous eye surgery or injury
- High blood pressure
- Family history of glaucoma
- Use of corticosteroids (eye drops, inhalers, pills, creams)
Take action: Get a yearly eye exam. It’s covered with your benefits. Visit the VSP website to find a provider and schedule your appointment.
Financial Health Tip: FlexElect Reimbursement Accounts
If you participate in FlexElect Reimbursement Accounts, these accounts can help you save money by using pre-tax dollars for eligible expenses:
- Medical Reimbursement Account (MRA): Use for eligible healthcare costs such as copays, prescriptions, dental care, and vision care.
- Dependent Care Reimbursement Account (DCRA): Budget for eligible childcare or eldercare costs.
Contributing to these accounts can reduce your taxable income, help you budget for expected expenses, and stretch your dollars further throughout the year.
Tips to make the most of your FlexElect accounts:
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Review your annual election and spending plan to ensure you’re contributing enough to cover anticipated expenses.
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Keep track of claim deadlines. Unused funds may be forfeited (“use it or lose it”).
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Organize receipts and documentation for faster reimbursement.
Not enrolled in FlexElect? That’s okay. You can still support your financial wellbeing by reviewing your health, dental, and dependent care benefits, budgeting for out-of-pocket costs, and considering whether FlexElect is a good option for you during the next Open Enrollment.
Click the tile below to learn more about FlexElect account resources and see how these accounts can help you save money and plan ahead.
Live Well in 2026
Make your appointments, explore your benefits, and set one simple goal for the month. We’re cheering you on.
For more information about state employee benefits, visit the CalHR Benefits website. For questions about your benefits eligibility or enrollment, contact your departmental personnel officer. For health benefits information specifically, visit the CalPERS website.
