Teams spend months preparing for open enrollment (OE), fine-tuning every detail to ensure a smooth rollout. When new plans are on the table, those months are often consumed with finalizing details and building them into the benefits platform.
Yet one critical piece is often overlooked: how these plans will be communicated to employees. The success of any new offering doesn’t hinge solely on how well it’s designed — it depends on whether employees understand it. Without clear, effective communication, even the best benefits package can fall flat.
One of the most powerful ways to showcase the value of your benefits package is through your benefits technology. Here are three ways it can help you communicate more clearly and effectively:
Centralizes all benefits information in one place
Instead of scattering plan details across multiple formats (like printed packets and intranet pages) use your benefits platform as the single, authoritative source of truth. When employees know exactly where to go for everything benefits-related, it eliminates the guesswork and reduces the risk of important details getting lost in the shuffle.
This centralized hub can house decision support tools, provider directories, FAQs, and even short explainer videos. All organized in a way that’s easy to search and navigate. The platform can also highlight updates or changes, so employees don’t have to dig through old files or remember where an attachment was saved.
By consolidating everything in one location, you not only make information easier to find, but also create consistency in messaging. Every employee is looking at the same accurate, up-to-date details, which prevents misunderstandings. Whether communication is pushed via email, text, or in-platform alerts, all channels link back to the same trusted resource. The platform acts as the ongoing reference point employees return to throughout the year.
Deliver timely, targeted messages
Your benefits technology allows you to send communications based on specific triggers or timelines. Whether it’s a reminder about the OE deadline, a nudge to complete enrollment, or an announcement of a new plan feature, targeted messaging ensures employees get the right information at the right time. And the messaging is formatted in a way that prompts action.
Beyond traditional email and text, in-platform notifications ensure important information is front and center when employees log in to enroll or explore their benefits. For those on-the go, mobile app push notifications keep updates from getting lost in an inbox, delivering them directly to a device’s home screen.
By delivering the right message through the right channel at the right time, your benefits technology ensures employees stay informed, engaged, and ready to take action. All without feeling overwhelmed by information overload.
Make information more engaging and accessible
Static text in a long PDF isn’t the most engaging way to explain a benefits change. Use your platform’s capabilities to present information in formats employees can quickly understand. Common tools include interactive plan comparison charts, short videos, or analytical tools like premium calculators. When information is easier to digest, employees are better equipped to make confident, informed decisions.
Conclusion
A strong benefits offering only reaches its full potential when employees understand and appreciate it. By leveraging your benefits technology as a communication hub, you can close the gap between what you’re offering and what your employees perceive. This approach results in more informed choices, higher satisfaction, and a smoother Open Enrollment season for everyone.