Tops Tips for Open Enrollment Communications

The window for the open enrollment period is ever shrinking—with December 15th being the last day to enroll or change plans for coverage starting January 1, 2025, and January 15th serving as the last day on the calendar for enrolling in or changing a plan with a February 1st start date.

This is a critical period for both employers and employees, which makes clear communication practices that stress the urgency of this time of year even more important. Employees must be able to make informed decisions about their benefits.

As such, here are some top tips to follow at your company to ensure communications are paid attention to and benefits engagement is maximized.

Minimize Confusion

As the clock ticks on the end of open enrollment, make sure your communication calendar still delivers a steady flow of information, and stress last-minute reminders.? Also, encourage employees to approach your HR team if they are unclear about benefits information and have questions. Time might start to feel limited, but you don’t want employees to feel rushed or frantic.

Simplify Complex Information

Benefits information can feel overwhelming to many employees, especially when it involves making coverage changes, understanding premiums, or truly absorbing the differences between plan options. Therefore, break down the information into bite-sized, digestible pieces. Use bullet points, infographics, or short videos to explain key points, including:

• What’s new in the 2025 benefits package?
• Deadlines and steps for enrollment.
• FAQs about coverage options.

Clear, concise, jargon-free communication will enable employees to understand their options and minimize the chance that costly mistakes are made.

Leverage Varied Communication Channels

Employees consume information in different ways, and your approach to connecting with them on open enrollment shouldn’t be one-size-fits-all. Use a mix of communication channels to guarantee everyone is reached in time. Consider the following:

• Email campaigns for detailed updates and reminders.
• Intranet portals for easy access to benefits guides and resources.
• Text messages for quick reminders.
• Live or recorded webinars to promote interactive Q&A.
• Printed materials for employees who prefer physical copies or don’t have digital access.

Truly, by leveraging varied communication platforms, you ensure a multi-generational approach to boosting benefits enrollment at your company.

Evaluate and Improve Open Enrollment Each Year

The open enrollment process should be tweaked and modified from one year to the next and should never remain static. Always welcome employee feedback and seek to improve processes to ensure everyone feels accommodated and happy with the open enrollment season.

The team at FullHR would love to consult with you to learn what open enrollment challenges you have faced, and help you make the process become more efficient. Reach out to us today.