Planning for Your 2024 Annual Open Enrollment
Optimizing for Success
September is a high-energy month, full of new beginnings, especially for our member-owners, their campuses, staff, and students. It's important to ensure that key messages are crafted, received, and acted upon. Health insurance is a critical support component but has the potential to be overlooked when competing interests are present.
Health insurance is vital, and this is one time of the school year where attention can be focused. With that in mind, edHEALTH Vice President Nancy McConaghy shares tips that help organizations host a more effective annual open enrollment period—for Human Resources staff and employees alike.
1. Communicate consistently
“It is important that staff understand how benefits may change from year to year. Encouraging an annual review will be seen in a positive light." To optimize the impacts, make this information available through all channels: in person, email/eblasts, print, messaging, video, phone, social media feeds, and posting flyers around campus.
2. Highlight benefit changes
Medical costs continue to rise Link to PwC 2024 "Medical Cost Trend" report. By highlighting changes, e.g., premium or cost-sharing and why these occur, employees will recognize that employers are doing what they can to ensure quality and comprehensive coverage.
Keeping messages brief, using plain language, and drawing attention to the major changes, will encourage employee participation.
3. Invite vendors to participate
"There's nothing better than having your vendors onsite to speak with employees directly," states Nancy. "Personal and private contact with vendors (like your health plan partners, pharmacy vendors, EAP representatives, or dental carriers) brings added value including giving employees an opportunity to discuss and assess their situation with the experts."
4. One size does not fit all
People learn in different ways. Recognizing that some employees learn best through conversation, like talking with someone at a health fair, while others absorb information sent in advance.
Employee schedules vary. Many employees work alternate hours, such as late afternoons or evenings. Ensure your hosted event overlaps with various shifts to maximize attendance and employee appreciation.
5. Use MyConnect
MyConnect, a Member Advocate service team, is available to our edHEALTH schools at no additional cost. It is a direct connection with Harvard Pilgrim for your employees and their family members and provides personalized, convenient support along their healthcare journey. MyConnect gives one-on-one support for questions about benefits, finding care, or meeting healthy lifestyle goals.
The Member Advocate service team can:
- explain plan options during open enrollment, so employees can choose the plan that’s best for them and their family
- find primary care providers (PCPs) and specialists
- answer questions about coverage and claims
- prepare the employee for medical appointments by checking the status of a pre-authorization or referral, and coordinate the care
- connect the employee with HPHC’s clinical care team of nurses, social workers, lifestyle coaches, pharmacists and care coordinators
