Open enrollment: It's about more than insurance

As open enrollment quickly approaches, consider shifting from a short-term, “check-the-box” approach, to focusing on the long-term impact. (Photo: Shutterstock)

For as long as employees have received insurance through their employer, there has been an open enrollment period for employee benefits. Over the years, employers have developed highly organized systems to ensure that employees renew their benefits on a yearly basis and that they are aware of the services provided. Whether through a paper-based process or via a modern digital platform, employers are able to efficiently and effectively get the majority of their employees to sign up each and every year.

Where employers are lacking however, is in getting employees to understand and utilize the services and benefits available to them. Perhaps ironically, data reflects that healthy employees tend to sign up for benefits early and then utilize them more, while less healthy employees often pick their plans on the last day of enrollment, and subsequently, use their benefits less.