Published by Trustmark on November 8th, 2019



By now your Halloween candy is eaten or safely stashed away. Thanksgiving and the Holidays are around the corner. It’s also open enrollment season. Here are five tips for guiding employees to help ensure yours is successful.

1.   Review current medical coverage
Employees should be encouraged to take time to understand their current coverage, noting premium and out-of-pocket costs, including deductibles, copays and coinsurance. They should also evaluate which medical services are covered, what those benefits look like and how often they’re used. This information will help them decide how valuable their coverage is and whether they need additional protection.  

2.   Identify coverage gaps that may need filling
Next, employees should evaluate where they need more protection. Perhaps accident or critical illness insurance makes sense. Whatever the case, employees should consider their current life situation when making coverage choices.  

3.   Know their budget
Remember that employees are consumers and insurance is just like buying anything else; they should know what they can afford before making a purchase. And if an employee can afford to expand their benefits but are hesitating because they aren’t sure they’ll use it, you can counsel them that making small monthly payments could pay off over time if it protects against high, unexpected medical bills.  

4.   Research your company’s offerings and enrollment process
After employees have an idea of how much they can afford and potential coverage gaps that exist, they should review the voluntary benefits offered. This is where you and your colleagues can be a key resource and answer any questions the employees have.  

5.   Think beyond what your employees might expect from employee benefits
Often employees have a narrow view of what benefits comprise, but the reality is much broader. This is a prime opportunity to communicate the range of products and services available that address multiple dimensions of wellbeing. These might include incentives to use a company gym or participate in a corporate wellness program; care navigation and advocacy tools such as a healthcare management team, 24/7 nurse lines and telemedicine services; or financial coaching. By showcasing the importance of these tools and resources and illustrating the value, you’re helping your employees make smarter healthcare decisions that extend well beyond open enrollment season.  

We’re here to help you ensure a successful open enrollment season for your employees.

Contact us to learn more about how Trustmark increases wellbeing through better health and greater financial security.
 

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