Employers and employees alike must prepare for open enrollment. Employers must update materials and properly communicate benefit offerings to their employee populations. Meanwhile, employees need to be familiar with their needs and their family’s needs in order to properly enroll in the most appropriate benefits. Preparing as an employer Effective …
Understanding HSAs, HRAs, and FSAs
When preparing for open enrollment, it is important to understand your options. Health Saving Accounts (HSAs), Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRAs), and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) are often offered in conjunction with a health plan. Knowing the advantages of each can allow for an easier open enrollment process. Health Savings Account …
Considerations for 2023 Open Enrollment
The Great Resignation and the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of employee perks and benefits. In especially trying times, employees fixated on health, financial security, and the work-life balance. Employees who found these areas lacking left their workplaces in favor of those with better wages and benefits. According to a …
Open Enrollment Overview
Open enrollment is the only time employees can enroll in a health insurance plan or make changes to their current benefit elections, unless a specified life event occurs (marriage, childbirth, etc.). If an employee misses their opportunity to participate in open enrollment, they will have to wait until the following …
Ensuring a Successful Open Enrollment
Open enrollment is an opportunity to showcase an organization’s benefits package and the value it provides to employees — with the hope of curbing rising turnover rates. Within the last year, employees’ priorities have changed. Consequently, employees may be seeking enhanced offerings to better protect their health and well-being, while …
2021 Special Enrollment Period for Marketplace Coverage Has Begun
In accordance with the recent executive order signed by President Biden regarding strengthening Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act (ACA), the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) have announced that the Special Enrollment Period (SEP) for the Health Insurance Marketplace has officially begun. While millions of people throughout the …
New Exchange Special Enrollment Period Available
In response to the executive actions recently signed by President Biden, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced a new Special Enrollment Period (SEP) through Exchanges using the federal www.HealthCare.gov platform. The CMS determined that the COVID-19 emergency has and continues to present exceptional challenges and circumstances for …
How To Ensure A Successful Open Enrollment
In light of COVID-19, employees are becoming increasingly conscious of the costs and need for suitable healthcare coverage. In an effort to meet this rise in knowledgeable consumerism, employers should prepare for an increased level of engagement in the organization’s annual employee benefits Open Enrollment. We recommend thoroughly reviewing all …
Virtual Open Enrollment — The New Norm
The coronavirus pandemic has forced employers to reimagine how they conduct business now and in the future. With many companies extending telework opportunities and seeking ways to limit contact in the workplace, employers are beginning to plan for virtual open enrollment. Businesses have and will continue to face adjustments to …
Our Strategic Sourcing Strategy Drives Client Success
In 2017 the Creative Benefits team launched a timely campaign, Employer Empowerment. Since the kick-off meeting, in early January, we are ahead of schedule with the successful completion of 3 strategic initiatives aimed to optimize the customer experience and drive desired outcomes. Providing our client stakeholders, the: CFO / Owner HR Director Employees …
A Successful Insurance Renewal & Open Enrollment: Part II
Employers may feel relieved when insurance renewals are over, but the fact is their job is only half done. The next step en route to the finish line is Open Enrollment. During Open Enrollment, employees learn about benefits, select coverage, fill out enrollment forms and receive identification cards. It takes …
A Successful Insurance Renewal & Open Enrollment: Part I
It’s that time of year again. Temperatures are falling, days are getting shorter, and at Creative Benefits, we have insurance renewals and open enrollment on our minds. Most companies schedule health insurance renewals and open enrollment in December and January so the time to start thinking about these things is …