After all the time and attention that HR pros give open enrollment, it can be hard to imagine how an employee could miss the window for electing their benefits. The IRS states that a qualifying event must have an impact on your insurance needs or change what health insurance plans that you qualify for. This is nothing new. How to Write an Employee Open Enrollment Email and Templates And How it Works, Include employees in the benefits planning process, Ensure dates and deadlines are clearly communicated, Point out any tax or investment advantages, Provide helpful resources that are easy to digest, Format emails to be colorful and easy to read, Ask for their participation with a call to action, Provide all the contact information theyll need, Plug one last reminder about taking advantage of open enrollment. Track employee time and maximize payroll accuracy. Reach out to our team any time to chat! If the employer gave proper notice to employees communicating open enrollment deadlines, there is very little that can be done legally to help the employee after the fact, so a proactive approach and providing detailed information before and during open enrollment works best. Every employee has his or her own preferences when it comes to receiving important information. Qualifying life events can be circumstances that change an employee's status for benefits, such as changing the number of individuals in the household who are covered under a benefits plan. Why? As HR representatives address open. COBRA - If you lose your job and elect to continue receiving benefits from your employer. Subject line: Let's get smarter about 401K savings. Health Insurance Renewal Sample Letter to Employees By Mary Gormandy White, M.A., SHRM-SCP, SPHR YinYang / iStock via Getty Images If it's time for your company's group health plan to renew, it's advisable to notify your employees about the new plan options in writing. Start reviewing your benefit information now so youre ready when the time is right. In. 360 Degrees of Financial Literacy program by the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) is urging employees to carefully review their family's financial situation and insurance options to pick the best coverage plan for their household. An acknowledgement of benefits formfor those who opt in to coverage, A waiver of coverage formfor those who opt out or miss the deadline to enroll in employer-based benefits packages, One-on-one appointments with HR representatives, Seminars, webinars, and/or self-paced e-learning modules. Changes in employment - this can mean starting a new job, quitting, or a transition from part-time to full-time work status. Be sure to include these details in your letter. Howevereven when it's for their benefit(s)your priorities are not always their priorities, and some workers may put it off, thinking they'll have more time to ask questions and get clarification later. As the Director of Client Services at FBS, Cathy oversees the Billing, Clent Service, and Account Executive teams and is available to assist in escalated matters, if necessary. Make Sure You're Getting the Best Deal, Jaleigh White, a member of the AICPA Financial Literacy Commission, noted that "even though the volume of an open-enrollment benefits package can seem overwhelming, employees would benefit from taking 30 minutes, at least, to read through all materials and explore the impact of any changes the company is making to their benefits, and carefully consider any changes to their personal situation that could impact their elections for the coming year.". HR managers should be prepared to address the common employee question "What is a special enrollment period?" I missed open enrollment for my insurance and now I need to - Workest If you are asking for a longer leave of absence, send this letter as early as possible. Individuals who are below the income thresholds set by the government's programs can apply for coverage any time of year. Additional education can come in the form of personal worksite consultations, one-on-one appointments with HR representatives, seminars, webinars and self-paced e-learning modules. Surveying your employees will help you clarify their benefits options and the open enrollment process, and it can demonstrate that you are willing to set aside time to help answer employee questionspotentially reducing the number of employees that miss open enrollment. At-home diagnostic tools help you stay one step ahead. In order to ensure that your employees are able to make the most out of the open enrollment period and the benefits your company provides, you should take an active role during open enrollment. Coby now serves as the Senior Vice President of FBS managing a team of sales, marketing, and client implementation personnel. Sample 1: Excuse letter for work absence due to family matters. If the employee does not make an election in the required time frame the Plan Document calls for a default position to take effect in lieu of the election. By incorporating the mission of the university and the code of conduct, we believe strong communication will enhance understanding and foster positive work environments. Put together educational materials when employees get a raise, and remind them that nows a good time to up their contribution if they can. Open Enrollment begins on Tuesday, October 15, 2019 and runs through 5 pm, Thursday, October 31, 2019You may enroll online through Employee Self. Thank you for visiting theFSAstore.com Learning Center. Consider also whether or not your company should offer auto-enrollment to help employees avoid missing open enrollment. The information must get to vendors to ensure employees elections are accessible on day one of your companys benefits plan year. So, if you find yourself surprised by a premium increase come January, you won't be able to change coverage. a global pandemic that's been hard to predict, improve or enhance open enrollment communication. At many organizations, the open enrollment season for 2020 employer-sponsored benefits is under way or about to begin. Share links to reputable personal finance blogs and podcasts. The information may not reflect the most current legal developments, may be changed without notice and is not guaranteed to be complete, correct, or up-to-date. is a benefits enrollment strategy that employers use to simplify the process and maintain benefits participation. By checking out as a Returning Customer or Guest, you agree that you have read, understand and agree to the, Aura Revive Heated Deep Muscle Pain Relief Device, Caring Mill by Aura Full Body Analysis Scale, Caring Mill by Aura: Ease Migraine and Eye Reliever with Compression and Heat, American Red Cross Deluxe Family First Aid Kit, Sharper Image Calming Heat Massaging Weighted Heating Pad, 12 x 24, 4 lbs, Aura Revroll Vibrating + Heat Foam Roller, dpl IIa Professional Acne Treatment Light Therapy, Aura Sleek Callus, Corn and Ingrown Toe Nail Remover, Sharper Image Calming Heat XXL-Wide Massaging Weighted Heating Pad, 12 Setting, 5lbs, FSA Perks Official Rules, Terms & Conditions. Purchasing Cooperatives, Speak to Consultant } The information below covers what open enrollment is and what you may do during this time. Subject Line: Heads Up: Open Enrollment Details Coming Your Way. 2023 Open Enrollment Obamacare Health Plans Find 2023 health plans. Demonstrating to your employees that their needs are important to you will instill high employee morale, and ensuring that you have done all that you were required to do in regards to ACA regulations will protect your business in the event that an employee misses the open enrollment deadline. To get the ball rolling, a robust open enrollment email to employees is vital. Open enrollment begins one month from now, beginning [DATE] until [DATE]. Making changes to how open enrollment is presented and discussed with a strategic plan can alleviate much of the frustration. Access exclusive research and insights on the future of employee benefits. Sending out the open enrollment email to employees is just the first step. Between having multiple options, confusing plan descriptions, debating voluntary benefits and tight open enrollment deadlines, it's pretty easy to see how things might get confused. Learn more, Money Girls Quick and Dirty Tips for a Richer Life. Not great for Dave! But how do you make sure your benefits communication strategy is up to par? For an employee, missing this vital deadline can mean losing coverage, or being unable to change benefits elections, which can have a significant financial impact on the employee. Drive more engagement in money-saving programs throughout the year. New Jersey Secure Choice Savings Program on the Horizon for Private Employers, How to Use HR Metrics to Improve Your Bottom Line. Many employers even offer benefits education during open enrollment to help employees understand their options and make informed decisions. G&A Partners is a leading professional employer organization (PEO) that offers world-class HR services and a team of experts who can help you navigate employment issues, safety initiatives, and moreduring (and after) the pandemic. Heres what this kind of targeted advice might look like in an email you send to your workforce. Weve got some exciting options this year so be prepared to make changes! if(currentUrl.indexOf("/about-shrm/pages/shrm-china.aspx") > -1) { Her short-term financial situation is secure, so shes in a position to focus on her long-term goals. The open enrollment process is often confusing and time-consuming. How to Tell Someone They Didn't Get the Job - Template - Workstream Provide information in a wide variety of ways including: Ask your employees if they like the way information is being provided, if they would prefer information be distributed in different ways, or if they have questions that have yet to be answered. Despite your own best efforts to communicate important information and deadlines, you may have employees who dont successfully enroll on time. Mistakes During Open Enrollment Can You Change Elections? SAMPLE EVERGREEN OPEN ENROLLMENT NOTICE .