School is back in session.  Some of you have just completed open enrollment.  For some of you, open enrollment is right around the corner.  What should you be communicating to your employees about benefits?

If You Just Completed Open Enrollment . . .

As discussed in a previous Feature of the Month Article, year-round communication about benefits is important.  If you spread out employee benefits communication throughout the year, employees will be better informed, leading to better employee benefit choices during open enrollment.  So, congratulations on getting through open enrollment, but here are some suggestions from Airbo on what you can communicate now and in the next few months:

1. Flexible Spending Accounts: Schedules change when school starts and an employee may need to find after-school care.  Promote the Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account to help cover costs.  Sample Content.  We’re also over halfway through the year, with Flexible Spending Accounts being use-it-or-lose-it, it’s a perfect time to remind employees to pace out their funds.  Sample Content.
2. Financial Wellness: Back-to-school can be expensive!  Provide tips to help budget for costs related to back-to-school or the upcoming season change.  Sample Content.
3. Telemedicine: Educate employees about this benefit and encourage them to download the app to their phone. Promote it as a timesaver since life with school-age children is busy – hello drop-offs, pick-ups, homework at night, sports, and activities!  Sample Content.
4. Annual Physicals and Biometric Screenings: Many employers offer incentives to employees who complete their annual physical and biometric screening.  Since September closes out the third quarter, it’s a great month to remind employees to schedule their physical and get their biometric screening.  This is especially helpful if there are deadlines they need to hit to earn an incentive.  Reminder: Make sure to highlight that annual physicals are considered preventive care and covered 100%, so they’ll be free for employees.  Sample Content.

5. September is Life Insurance Awareness Month: It’s important to educate employees about how life insurance can help provide financial protection and security if the unexpected happens.  Studies show that for more than a third of households, the financial impact of losing the primary wage earner would be felt in just one month (2018 Insurance Barometer Study, Life Happens and LIMRA).  Use this month to educate employees about the life insurance benefits they’re automatically enrolled in and the voluntary life insurance offerings that they can elect during Open Enrollment.  Sample Content.
6. Review Beneficiaries: September is a great time to prompt employees to review their beneficiaries for plans like 401(k), life insurance, HSA, and more. We suggest that you also educate employees on why it is important to review beneficiaries, both annually and with major life changes. Many people don’t know that benefits like life insurance, 401(k), and HSA are not normally covered by a will and need to have a beneficiary designated for the assets to be passed over in the event of death.  Sample Content.
7. September is National Preparedness Month: Use September to encourage employees to prepare for a natural disaster.  Specifically, connect how company benefits can help if the worst happens. Here are a few key programs to highlight:
   • Emergency Alert System: Have all employees signed up?  Send out information to promote sign-ups to receive emergency alerts if the office is closed and other important updates.  Sample Content.
   • Emergency Contact Information: Is it up-to-date? Request that employees confirm and/or update their emergency contact information in the system.  Sample Content.

8. September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month: According to Suicide Prevention Resource Center, over 9.8 million people had serious thoughts of suicide in 2016. Suicide is not an easy topic to discuss, but raising awareness and understanding about the warning signs can make all the difference.  Leverage the national awareness month to educate employees on the topic and make them aware of available resources like the Employee Assistance Program (EAP).  Sample Content.

If You’re About to Begin Open Enrollment . . .

Communicate information employees should know before open enrollment starts, such as previewing changes to come, health insurance terms employees should know, on-site meeting dates, and important deadlines.

How to Capture Attention, Educate, and Drive Behavior During Open Enrollment

HEC recently hosted a webinar on best practices to drive engagement during open enrollment, which includes a plethora of helpful tips on how to capture employees’ attention that are applicable not only to open enrollment, but any communications with employees.  HEC members can view the recorded webinar here.

Source:  Airbo