It is that time of year! Ghosts practice their best BOOs, spiders spin their biggest webs, and werewolves sharpen their claws for the scariest time of the year . . . open enrollment season.
It’s no coincidence that open enrollment periods begin around Halloween. Every year, during the open enrollment period, employees review their insurance coverage options and select the right plan for them for the coming year. With all the options, changes, and deadlines, it can be downright terrifying!
That being said, there are ways to make this time of year not so scary. It is vital to clearly communicate requirements, benefit options, and all the deadlines to your employees. Here are our four helpful tips to make open enrollment not so scary!
Do your employees need instructions to get through a haunted mansion? No? Do they need a guide for open enrollment? Most likely! Prepare a simple guide with all available options, coverage levels, costs, and participation requirements. Post the information internally on a secure company platform and make sure all employees can easily access it. Getting the word out early can benefit all employees.
Just like a witch following a potion recipe, employees need a step-by-step outline for enrollment. Develop a one-page infographic listing the steps for enrollment. Explain who is eligible for open enrollment and the dates during which changes can be made. Explain to employees how they can make benefit changes, such as securely online or by contacting the company’s benefits administrator. This can simplify the process immensely.
Identify messages to share with each demographic group. For example, vampires might require more information on dental care, while a zombie might want to know more about disability insurance. Communicate with your employees to identify their concerns and questions, then write messages that will capture their interest and educate them on their options. Begin communicating this information several weeks in advance of open enrollment.
Send detailed information via email campaigns. Then extend your reach by adding videos, posters, and in-person and online chats. Include charts explaining benefits costs, savings and real-life examples on how employees use their benefits coverage.
Throughout the year, use a mix of communication tools to share information about open enrollment. Owl, crystal ball, invisible ink- pick your poison. Whatever is easiest for your employees. Solicit feedback from employees on benefits choices and communication methods and adopt their ideas to improve the process going forward.
With how daunting open enrollment can be, anything you can do as to ease your employee’s worries can be a huge help. Want to know more about your options and how to help your employees? Give one of our strategic benefits advisors a call, email us at benefits@lewer.com or visit our website, www.lewerbenefits.com. We are here to help you defeat the most terrifying parts of open enrollment!