We have to plan what we can do to help employees make good choices and provide them with information via a coordinated enrollment communications plan. These elements help:

Pre-enrollment communications such as email notices and web banners, and on-site promos like posters and table tents
Informational on-site group meetings and/or webinars covering all shifts
Access to a call center during open enrollment and a help line for new hires and life event changes during the year
Evening webinars or access to call/chat services for employees and their spouses
Engaging tools such as videos and calculators
Creative approaches such as contests or prize drawings for all who enter the system
Recommended product bundles based on key demographics of the employee and their family
Careful product ordering
Auto enrollment of prior year choices
Speaking of employees who have already selected a voluntary plan—make any buy-up option as easy as possible to encourage repeat purchases and accommodate growing needs
Internal response tracking inside enrollment systems so follow-up emails automatically go from HR to those who have not entered the system, and to those who have not completed the process

Employees have to make their benefits elections in a hurried, nearly thoughtless environment. We can help them make better decisions during that six-minute decision process by active support of an enrollment plan.

Instant Insights /

The six-minute decision

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