Enrollment is officially behind you. Your benefits strategy is in place, and you’ve invested in programs specifically designed to help employees enhance their well-being while supporting your organization’s long-term cost management goals. Now comes the pivotal phase: turning strategy into measurable results. The following tips will help you move the needle on employee engagement, health outcomes, and overall plan performance.

What to say to employees when open enrollment is over

Enrollment may be over, but your communication shouldn’t stop. Here’s how to talk to your employees year-round to help them appreciate their benefits and make smart decisions.

1. Provide user information. Open enrollment communication is centered on helping employees choose the right benefits. Post-enrollment is the time to help people use their benefits wisely. This includes content such as:

• What to do when you need care (when to see a primary care provider versus head to urgent care or the emergency room)
• I can use my FSA or HSA for that? Educate on lesser-known expenses that are eligible for reimbursement, such as sunscreen and acne medication
• How to make sense of medical bills (understanding an explanation of benefits)
• Which point solutions can help improve my health

2. Make info easy to find. This includes:

• One convenient place. Is there one go-to place for benefits info? Or do employees have to visit multiple places to hunt down what they need? Try consolidating benefit details in one central spot.
• Easy access. Do employees have to log in to see info? Do spouses have access? Explore the idea of developing a benefits website that’s outside the firewall, no login required.
• Search feature. Can people type in a question and quickly find the answer? Consider an AI-powered support tool to serve up content quickly.

3. Think bite-sized. We live in the age of the TikTok attention span. Your people will get bored and move on if you provide lengthy missives. Try these tips.

• Micro-messaging: Hit the high points and link to details.
• Clear calls to action: Read this, watch this, do this.
• Visually appealing: Think short and scannable—infographics are a great way to impart a lot of detail.

4. Send the right message. Know your audience and give them content that’s relevant to them.

• Mix it up. Use a variety of media (print, email, webinars, face-to-face, videos). Employees can pick what works best for them.
• Customize. Different audiences need to hear different messages. Slice and dice your data to tailor communication based on demographics (such as age or life stage) and action steps (like saving or not saving in the retirement plan).
• Make it personal. Consider a personalized total rewards statement that illustrates the value of the benefits you provide.