Creating a better benefit experience for employees

When a friend of mine was unable to quickly add her newborn to her medical insurance plan, she had to endure months of busy doctor visits without any insurance. The issue was eventually solved three months later, but the chain of events that led to her not having any health coverage during a critical moment in life highlights the unnecessary complications and roadblocks employees face when managing their benefits.

Whether it’s the birth of a child, the death of a relative, or another important life event, the frustrations of a lengthy, confusing process for accessing critical benefits can be detrimental to an employer – especially when an employee’s health benefits don’t move at the speed of life. At the risk of costing the employer their workforce, businesses have options that work in favor of the employee and even HR teams! An easy benefits enrollment process should be just as important as the actual benefits for current and potential employees.

Technology that simplifies processes and improves employee experience

Employee needs are vast, and leveraging advanced technology can streamline the benefits process. From updating simple employee changes such as a new address or phone number, to reflecting major life events like a marriage or birth, the entire user experience is integrated for a simplified approach.

At ADP, we use embedded application programming interfaces (APIs) within our human capital management (HCM) systems to enable direct integration with benefits carriers to accelerate and simplify the process for employees and employers. This real-time data exchange with benefit carrier partners can fully sync benefits changes made and immediately send to the carrier, reducing errors and providing instant updates so employers and employees can better manage data. The process becomes automated with an API and HR teams, insurance carriers and health care providers can spend time on other tasks, rather than manually entering benefit plan information into multiple systems. And when information is accurate from the start, there are fewer challenges with benefit verification and claims processing – a win for all.

Connection is key

From enrollment to evidence of insurability, the real-time connection of benefits is a true differentiator. Beyond speed and accuracy, carrier integrations can better customize their benefits and offer employees more options such as tuition reimbursement, savings programs and employee customized discount programs. These new options add up to a more diversified benefits program and offer a truly differentiated experience for everyone involved.

At the end of the day, it is about the employee having coverage – and access to that coverage. That connection expands beyond the technology to directly impact the employee. How they interact with an employer’s benefits administration processes can be frustrating, or rather set the employer apart from the competition. This current talent market has forced employers to find new, creative ways to stand out and a strong benefits program can do just that.

When it comes to evaluating an employer, whether as a candidate or current employee, many are looking at more than just compensation. The pandemic’s impact on the world of work has drastically changed how people live and work, and employees are taking note by evaluating strong benefits programs. They are prioritizing family benefits, caregiver support, mental health and wellness resources, continuing education and student loan assistance. And with that, the process of switching benefits needs to be as simple and seamless as possible with little disruption. Having access to real-time connections and integrations have the ability to set an employer apart, while delivering on the promise of a strong program for the employee – and that’s the true benefit of technology.

Lisa Lent is senior director of carrier connections service & carrier relations at ADP.