A Fresh Plan Year Calls for a Benefits Promotion Refresh

New year, new engagement opportunities

Promoting employee benefits isn’t just a once-a-year endeavor. New plan years bring opportunities to boost employee engagement, ensure they understand their benefits, and encourage higher participation. However, without an ongoing communication strategy, these offerings can often be overlooked.

So, are you ready to refresh your benefits strategy? Let’s take a look at some of our tried-and-true tactics that have paid off for our clients and see if you find any takeaways.

Find a balanced, year-round communication strategy

A quality benefits experience needs consistent messaging spread across multiple communication channels. While employees desire to activate on their benefits, they need help and timely reminders throughout the year to make it happen. A defined engagement strategy that meets employees outside their benefits platform and drives them towards the right resources and benefits is what that quality benefits experience looks like.

Here’s what a communications plan could look like for your organization:

• Sending emails and text message reminders before and during the AE window. 
• Sharing a list of FSA- and HSA-approved items to help employees use those funds throughout the year. 
• Promoting resource programs, like caregiver support and chronic condition management.

It’s crucial that you’re communicating regularly with your employees but not bombarding them. Finding that balance can be a challenge but ensuring you have a purpose for every message you send is a great start.

Take advantage of mobile apps

Creating an accessible, digital experience that reflects what your employees see in other areas of their lives is a great way to make the employee benefits experience more accessible. A benefits mobile app can be a big help for employees trying to better manage their benefits. It gives them a quick, easy way to access their benefits information and can do a whole lot more. For example, with Businessolver’s MyChoice Mobile App^® your employees can store ID cards, view benefits details on the go, chat with Sofia^SM in seconds, and more. 

These tools enable employees to easily self-service—allowing them to get the answers they need without calling their service center. This helps them navigate their enrollment without as much assistance and frees up the lines for callers with more complex issues. Plus, when we looked at where employees are beginning their benefits activation journey or seeking out information, 25% of employees preferred our mobile app.

Targeted communications spur maximum employee engagement

With 85% of employees opting into targeted benefits communications when given the opportunity, it’s clear that employees are craving more support from their employers to help them use their benefits. But what does effective communication look like?

Check out these three tactics to incorporate into your strategy.

1. Understand your employees: Gain valuable insights about your employees by utilizing your annual enrollment data to identify distinct groups based on generational differences, plan types, biometrics, life stage, and other relevant characteristics.
2.   Be relevant: Relevancy is key. Tailor your messages to match the needs and preferences of your audience. Remember to be selective; bombarding a 23-year-old employee with a reminder about HSA catchup contributions will only lead to them ignoring you.
3. Use preferred communication channels: Discover how each employee likes to be reached by using your benefits administration solution–send informative web-based materials to those who request it, connect via text messaging with those who prefer it, and deliver expensive printed materials exclusively to those who ask for them. 

Effective benefits promotion shouldn’t stop after open enrollment. Year-round communication is crucial to keep employees informed, engaged, and confident in using their benefits. Mobile apps can play a significant role in this effort, providing employees with easy, on-the-go access to their benefits information and updates. Additionally, targeted communications ensure that your messages remain relevant and meaningful, resonating with employees based on their needs and preferences. By incorporating these strategies, you can foster a more informed and satisfied workforce, ultimately driving better benefits utilization and employee well-being.

Interested in seeing how we could help you promote your benefits? Schedule a demo today.