Employee Education

Education is a core goal of open enrollment communication. Ensure employees understand all available plans and coverage details. 

Providing comprehensive benefits information 

During open enrollment, communicate: 

• All plan options with summaries of coverage 
• Side-by-side comparisons of offerings 
• Changes in plans from previous years 
• Pros, cons, and key differentiators of each 
• Eligibility requirements and enrollment steps 
• Available carrier networks and resources 
• Ways to access help choosing plans 

Thorough education empowers smart selections. 

Explaining plan options and coverage 

For each plan, share specifics like:  

• Type of plan (HMO, PPO, etc) 
• Covered services (doctor visits, Rx, hospitalization, etc) 
• Provider choices (in and out-of-network access) 
• Prescription drug coverage 
• Annual deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums 
• Any copays or coinsurance costs 
• Limitations, exclusions, or requirements 

Clarity on plan details prevents confusion down the road. 

Calculating contributions and costs 

Clearly communicate:  

• Employee and employer contribution amounts 
• Premium costs for different coverage levels 
• Changes in premiums from prior years 
• Cost calculators to estimate total spending 
• Tax benefits of various plans like HSAs or FSAs 

Transparency on costs allows smart financial decisions. 

Clarifying eligibility requirements 

Explain who can enroll in each plan: 

• Full-time employees working X hours/week 
• Part-time staff with Y hours/week 
• Employee dependents like spouses, children 
• Newly hired employees after Z days 
• Eligibility for domestic partners or civil unions 
• Any enrollment requirements like evidence of insurability 

Complete details on eligibility prevent misunderstandings later. 

Thorough education across all aspects of benefits plans gives employees confidence at open enrollment time.