It’s hard to believe that, for most organizations, it’s that time of year again: open enrollment season. Whether you’re making big changes or none at all, it helps to start planning early—especially when there’s so much uncertainty and change impacting our lives.
This enrollment will feel much different than last year. The financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has been devastating for many Americans, and even those who have been less impacted are feeling the stress. The value of benefits has never been more visceral and financial security more top of mind. For many, this will be the year to reevaluate insurance and financial safety nets, so keep this in mind as you communicate about medical plans, disability insurance, flexible spending accounts, and other financial wellness benefits.
Getting Started
If you’re looking to kick-start your planning process, begin by downloading our Open Enrollment Communications Campaign Debrief Worksheet. It’s designed to help you revisit the successes and lessons learned from last year’s open enrollment and get you thinking about what worked well, what didn’t, and what you could do differently. Use this framework to inform your goals for this year, the steps you need to take to reach those goals, and the people you need to lean on to help make those goals a reality.
5 Simple Questions
As you look ahead, ask yourself these 5 key questions when planning your open enrollment communications:
What will make this year’s open enrollment a success?
How will the COVID-19 pandemic impact my goals and outreach strategy?
What barriers could prevent my people from taking action?
What might I need to do differently from last year?
Who do I need to include to help make open enrollment a success?
Even if you don’t have all your plan design changes finalized just yet, planning ahead can help make everything go more smoothly and minimize unnecessary stress. Lay your foundation now—and fill in the details when you have them.
Need more ideas? We have many other resources to help you. And we wish you all the best as you start to plan for this fall’s open enrollment.
Megan Yost, SVP Engagement Strategist, is a recognized thought leader in benefits communications, particularly in the areas of retirement, financial wellness, and employee engagement.
