5 ideas for a positive open enrollment season

1. Consider, or reconsider, CDHPs

Consumer-driven health plans are gaining more momentum, with 39% of large employers offering one in 2013 and 64% saying theyll likely offer one by 2016, according to Mercer. The consulting firm says CDHPs can be used this enrollment season to: reinforce individual accountability for health care consumption; reduce costs for employers and often participants; assist in meeting the ACA-mandated affordable coverage requirement; help avoid the 2018 excise tax, known as the Cadillac tax; and provide a compliant auto-enrollment default selection.
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2. Communicate early and often

Mercer says that employers with many newly eligible employees should start communicating right away with this population as to who is eligible, why they are eligible, how eligibility is determined, what this means and what they have to now consider. Information for those who are ineligible should follow a similar guideline so those employees know how to access the ACAs public exchanges for coverage.
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3. Go big with voluntary

Mercer says voluntary benefits can be used to overcome [misconceptions] and confusion around other benefit offerings. They can also serve as complementary products for employers considering switching to a CDHP as mentioned on the first slide. Mercer says these benefits help assuage fears of potentially high out-of-pocket expenses and are another way to bring benefits to employees not eligible for employer-sponsored medical coverage.
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4. Reinforce wellness programs

Open enrollment is a good time for employer clients with new or existing wellness programs to communicate their value once again to employees. This is particularly important if any perceived compliance penalties are going to be introduced next year, such as increased premiums for those who do not participate in health screenings, Mercer says.
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5. Use technology to help employees

Mercer says that with more and more employers asking employees to take accountability for their health care decisions, companies can be helpful by providing decision support software and mobile apps and technologies to empower their people. Mercer gives the example of digital wallet cards, which can be given to employees, by the employer, to house all benefit materials and contact information in once place for whenever a person has questions or needs advice.
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