10 Tips To Survive Open Enrollment

The signs are up, the emails are going out – Open Enrollment is fast approaching.

If you’re an employee, you’re likely thinking that this means more money will be taken out of your paycheck; you will have to go and sit through a long meeting that will tell you all about the changes to your plan and you usually leave feeling more confused than before.

If you’re an employer, you are thinking about employees sitting in front of you at the meeting with glazed eyes or panic-stricken faces.

Make sure that this year is different!

Here are ten tips and hints for helping you get through this year’s Open Enrollment.

Tips for Employees:

Be Prepared

Prepare for the meeting. If you read through your current coverage ahead of Open Enrollment, you will be more prepared to ask any questions regarding your coverage from the past year. You will also be ready to ask any questions regarding the new coverage or understand more clearly your current coverage if there are no changes.

Be Thoughtful

Keep in mind that the broker and insurance company representative have had extensive conversations with your employer about your insurance coverage. They work very hard to decide what plans to offer you and your family. Their goal is to make sure that their employees are happy with the decisions and, at the same time, to make sure the company can afford the best benefits possible.

Do Not Procrastinate

Be sure to complete your required paperwork or log into your Employee Portal and make your elections timely. Do your best to fill out all information requested to prevent delays. The sooner you complete this information, the sooner you will get a new ID card (if applicable).

Show No Fear

Most importantly, don’t be afraid to ask questions!! Take advantage of the benefits experts who are there to answer your questions about your insurance. The broker representative and sometimes even the carrier representative will be able to help you or give you advice. If you have questions specific to your claims, ask for carrier member phone numbers where you can call the carrier directly with any confidential questions you may have. You can also ask to speak to the representatives after the meeting confidentially.

Tips for Employers:

Articulate a Clear Vision

Make any transitions as painless as possible for your employees. Work closely with your broker to clearly outline any changes to the coverage for your employees.

Call In The Second String

Request that a carrier rep attend enrollment meetings along with your broker in order to help with any employee questions that may arise at the meeting.

Leave No Stone Unturned

Make sure your broker supplies all of the appropriate documents such as forms to be filled out, links to your Employee Portal, SBCs, plan summaries and employee deductions for all of your offered coverages.

Educate, Educate, Educate

Encourage your employees to make financially smart decisions regarding their insurance and encourage healthy lifestyles both in and out of work. This can significantly reduce both employee and employer health care expenses.

Blue Light Specials

Encourage your team to make the most of the preventive health benefits available through their employer-sponsored health plans. Most plans cover a wide range of preventive services at no cost when delivered by in-network providers—including annual physicals, immunizations, cancer screenings, and chronic condition monitoring.

Employees are urged to stay on top of their routine health care. Chronic conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers continue to be the leading causes of death in the U.S. and represent the bulk of healthcare costs. Regular checkups and screenings play a critical role in early detection and long-term prevention.

For Employees and Employers:

Build Relationships

Take the time to get to know your broker and carrier representatives. They are there to help answer your questions or help you decide which coverage is best for you, your family and your company. Just as your company is an expert at what they do, your reps are very knowledgeable at what they do, and they are there to help you get through Open Enrollment!