Talking with the head of my account management team, I asked her if there was anything she’d like brokers to be more aware of. Quite emphatically, slapping her hand on her desk, she said that brokers need to include their software vendors in the benefits planning process. Also, she said they need to understand how important user acceptance testing is to the success of a technology project.
Apparently, she had just gotten off the phone with a broker who needed their employer group’s online enrollment system configured for open enrollment. The broker explained to her that they had been working with the employer group for several months – choosing new medical plans and a new carrier, adding a supplemental life plan, generating new rates for all existing plans and expanding their eligibility groups. They went on to say that the employer was excited about the new employee communication plan that also went along with the year – it included posters, a kick-off luncheon for employees, customized benefits packets, an email campaign and an on-site vendor to assist employees with enrollment. She said, “That’s great! And when is their open enrollment?” The broker responded: “Two weeks from today.”
