Your Business Case for a Personalized Employee Benefits Experience

Here’s what to bring to your CFO to get buy-in for better benefits administration technology

Employee benefits are one of the most important tools HR professionals have to support employee engagement, wellness, and retention. But benefits can be complex and frustrating to navigate—86% of employees on average are confused about their benefits.

But when personalization is in play, employee confidence soars in spite of that confusion. 80% of employees said they feel “very” or “extremely confident” in their enrollment decisions when the experience was personalized.

Personalization in benefits administration might not seem like a revolutionary concept, but its impact can be profound. Employees deserve a tailored experience that demystifies their options and supports their unique needs.

See how our client American Cancer Society personalized their benefits experience. 

Personalization takes the guesswork out of benefits 

Personalized benefits aren’t just an ask anymore; they are a necessity. Today’s workforce expects the same seamless, tailored experience they receive as consumers to extend to their employee benefits.

For employees, trying to understand the complexities of their benefits options can feel overwhelming. From deciphering plan documents to figuring out which coverage fits their needs, employees often lack the time or expertise to make informed decisions without any support.

Personalization closes that gap by serving up the right information, helping simplify complex topics, and providing more context to help employees truly understand not only what benefits are available to them, but why they matter.

Personalizing benefits hinges on providing the right information and tools at the right time. Here’s what that might look like in practice:

• Personalized Decision Support: Embedded decision support tools can guide employees through choosing the best plans for their health, finances, and risk tolerance. For example, AI-driven recommendations might suggest programs based on past usage or answers to a set of simple questions.
• Real-Time Nudges and Reminders: Benefits don’t end after enrollment. Employees often forget to use the programs available to them. Personalized nudges, such as reminders for wellness screenings or mental health resources, help employees stay connected with their benefits throughout the year.
• Claim-Driven Insights: Claims data can provide highly contextual guidance. For example, if an employee’s recent history shows missed screenings, timely reminders can prompt them to take action. Using real-time data ensures relevance and boosts engagement.
• Ongoing Communication: To continuously engage employees, benefits programs should utilize year-round, omnichannel communication strategies. Whether it’s email, text, or in-app notifications, reaching employees where they are most active helps them stay informed and make the most of their benefits.

HR’s Power Moves to Make Your Benefits Click

Transforming a standard benefits package into a personalized employee experience doesn’t have to be overwhelming. We have five tried-and-true strategies that have helped our clients reduce risk and improve employee engagement. Here’s a sneak peek:

1. Centralize Everything in One Platform
   Streamline your employees’ benefits experience by bringing everything under one roof. A unified platform allows employees to easily access health insurance information, retirement plans, wellness programs, and even provider directories. This not only makes navigation simple but also boosts engagement by reducing confusion.
2. Leverage AI and Automation
   Personalizing benefits at scale is impossible without the help of automation and artificial intelligence. Use AI-powered tools to match employees with plans, deliver real-time reminders, and provide instant answers via virtual benefits assistants. These solutions ensure employees receive timely support while lightening the load on HR teams.
3. Adopt an Omni-Channel Communication Strategy
   Your communication approach should meet employees where they are—whether that’s via email, push notifications, or SMS. Different employees interact with information differently, so deploying a consistent, omni-channel messaging strategy ensures nobody gets left behind. Personalized, timely communications cater to individual preferences and increase the reach of your messaging.

Get the full strategy list here

Creating Value Beyond Enrollment

Your employees may only spend a few minutes making benefit decisions during open enrollment, but the impact lasts all year. To maximize ROI and employee engagement, benefits plans need to extend far beyond the day of enrollment.

By implementing personalization strategies like AI-powered nudges, claims-based insights, and year-round communications, you can provide a benefits experience that actively supports your workforce’s wellbeing. Not only will this improve satisfaction and retention, but it will also drive better organizational performance.

Looking to make the employee experience seamless and stress-free while optimizing your benefits administration process? Find a trusted tech partner who can streamline these efforts and help your organization stand out as an empathetic employer.