Open Enrollment FAQs for Small Business Owners: How to Make It Easier on You and Your Team

Author

Contact Us

Whether you have a simple question, or a complicated one, we’re here to help.

Open enrollment can be a challenge – especially when you're running a business and answering every benefit question under the sun.

Without an in-house HR team, you’re likely fielding questions about coverage, costs, and deadlines on your own. Sound familiar?

This quick FAQ guide helps you confidently answer the most common employee questions – without getting buried in benefits jargon.

Top FAQs Your Employees Might Ask (And How to Answer Them):

1. “What’s the difference between the plans?”

What to Say: Break it down simply:

  • Premium = Monthly cost
  • Deductible = What they pay before insurance kicks in
  • Copay/Coinsurance = Costs for care
  • Out-of-Pocket Max = The most they’ll pay in a year

Quick Tip: Share a one-page comparison chart to help them decide faster.

2. “Which plan is right for me?”

What to Say: Ask them to think about:

  • Do they go to the doctor often?
  • Do they take prescriptions?
  • Would they rather pay less upfront (premium) or when they get care (deductible)?

Quick Tip: Use simple examples (e.g., single, healthy vs. family with kids) to make it relatable.

3. “What’s an HSA or FSA – and should I use one?”

Simple Definitions:

  • HSA = Tax-free savings account (for high-deductible plans). Money rolls over.
  • FSA = Pre-tax account for health/dependent care. Use it or lose it.

Quick Tip: Share a list of common purchases (like glasses or childcare) to show the value.

4. “How much will this actually cost me?”

What to Say: It’s more than just the premium. Help them consider:

  • Deductible
  • Copays
  • Prescription costs
  • HSA/FSA contributions

Quick Tip: Show a sample cost breakdown for different usage levels (low, medium, high).

5. “What if I miss the deadline?”

What to Say: Open enrollment is usually the only time to choose benefits unless there’s a big life change (marriage, baby, etc.).

Quick Tip: Set up reminders in email or Slack to keep everyone on track.

6. “Who can I ask for help?”

What to Do: Even if you don’t have an HR department, you can:

  • Share contact info for your benefits rep
  • Hold a short Q&A session
  • Create a shared folder with answers and plan details

Quick Tip: Don’t do it all alone. Lean on your broker or PEO partner.

How to Make Open Enrollment Easier (For You and Your Team)

Here’s how you can reduce stress this season:

  • Use plain language (ditch the jargon)
  • Share visuals or plan cheat sheets
  • Host a quick Q&A session
  • Send multiple deadline reminders
  • Work with a PEO to manage the heavy lifting

Need Help Simplifying Open Enrollment?

At OneDigital, we support small businesses by making open enrollment easier – no HR department required. Our PEO solution, OneDigital Resourcing Edge, can help you:

Let’s take the pressure off and make this your smoothest enrollment season yet. Contact OneDigital today to learn how our PEO solution can support your team and protect your time.

Publish Date:Jul 21, 2025Categories:Employee Benefits, Small Business Essentials