I'll start this edition off straight to the vein of what I've been hearing about the most - OPEN ENROLLMENT.
I personally manage my open enrollment every November for January effective dates. I open my mobile application, select what my family needs, make adjustments for that year, submit and move on. I know the internal movement to complete this is much more in-depth, but for me, I leave the process a grateful and happy employee. I think this is likely the goal for any organization - Make the enrollment process a good feeling for their employees. Right?
Over almost 13 years of doing this, I think a constant eye roll, or pain point for most organizations is the thought of Open Enrollment on an administrational level. I talk with organizations that will have to pause any other business evaluation, or need for 30+ days to simply complete the enrollment effectively. If this is such a painful item for the administrational team, how do you think your employees feel about it? Answer: NOT GOOD.
I think the biggest challenges in enrollment all come from - Technology expectations, Enrollment/ Plan Education, and Relevant Needs/Process.
I've listed a few notes below that SHOULD help you asses if your enrolment is modernized, relevant, and what your employees are looking for.
- If you are using paper - STOP. First off - Seriously? I'll hold back absolutely making fun of such an archaic process , but make moves to change that. No employee is excited to manage benefit enrollment with paper. Seriously though - throw your dot matrix printer away.
- HRIS / Enrollment platform - Do you have one? If not, why not? IF yes - does it work with your team? Meaning, does it allow access to the trusted advisors that help manage this process? Can it manage EDI feeds? Can an enrollment firm work to assist with setting these things up? Does it allow Mobile Enrollment? Do you have clear expectations on what party manages what? Too often the buck gets pushed onto the technology piece for items that are not it's function - know the expertise and expectation from all corners, and collaborate with your trusted advisors to complete this. One advisor should not be managing all of this, or controlling the entire process, because no one advisor can.
- Why would your employees be excited to enroll? What's new in your plan design this year? Have you expanded benefits with thoughts to changing needs both at your organization AND the economy? Would you be excited if your benefits didn't grow with your families needs? Even something as simple as PTO management, or other supplemental ideas can be helpful in strengthening enrollment.
- Education and Understanding - Who are you leaning on to make sure the employees are educated in their benefits? Your team? Your HRIS? You broker or enrollment firm? There are mixed "right" answers here too, but the point is - You need to know and have the right plan. Correctly educating and having an easy way to push and communicate such information is paramount in an enrollment. It aids both the efficiency of enrollment, but also the confidence in selection and after the fact changes or worry.
If this list cause any sort of lightbulb moment - Please know that its a lightHOUSE moment for your employees. There are massive resources to help make sure that such a sensitive process, is managed simply, with a positive outcome - Not just a large exhale that the process is complete. If you think you can manage your enrollment in a better way the next time - Let us help try and create that dream team that can get it done.
Additional Items this month!
- Houston Events - We have A TON of things coming up; Plan Sponsor Education, March Madness fun, and Cyber Security Awareness with Our Executive Series at the Houstonian. Please see my contact page for those resources
- March Madness is here - On MARCH 21st we have our Broker/ Partner happy Hour benefiting Kids Meals of Houston, and Cancer Kiss my Cooley. Please come out for both fun, and as a great way to give back to a great cause.
Thank you for reading! Don't forget to share and comment for feedback!
