Common Open Enrollment Challenges

Following are a few of the most common challenges HR departments face during open enrollment with tips on how you can overcome them. 

Limited access to information 

During open enrollment, employees may have limited access to information about all the benefit options available to them. This can make it difficult to make informed decisions about healthcare coverage and other benefits. 

Employers can avoid this by providing employees with access to comprehensive and clear information about their insurance policies, wellness programs, and any other benefits you offer. As already mentioned, this can be addressed using written resources, online portals or informational meetings. 

Insufficient communication 

Some employees, especially new hires, may not be aware of the open enrollment period or may not understand how to enroll in a particular benefit plan. You can address this by communicating regularly and clearly with employees about the enrollment process, deadlines, and the benefits available to them. 

Overwhelmed employees 

The sheer number of benefit options available can leave employees wondering what to do next. Often, it can be challenging to understand the differences and nuances between plans enough to feel they are making informed decisions about their coverage. 

One way to avoid this is to provide employees access to call center or other resources that can help them understand the options available to them. These resources can also help employees identify the benefits that are most important to them and choose plans accordingly. 

Benefits costs 

As employees evaluate benefit plans, cost is a significant factor. Many employees may be concerned about out-of-pocket costs associated with health insurance premiums, deductibles and copays. 

Being transparent about the costs associated with each benefit plan and helping employees understand how to calculate their expected out-of-pocket expenses can go a long way in easing their concerns and even improving employee engagement. 

Proper communication strategies also help minimize many of these issues.