Open enrollment requires workers to make decisions that can affect the cost and scope of their healthcare, yet some may stick with their current plan without checking whether its premiums, deductible or coverage have changed. Others may hesitate to ask questions because they are not accustomed to seeking help or worry that using healthcare could affect how their employer treats them.
Paul Fronstin, director of health benefits research at the Employee Benefit Research Institute, said employees may fear discrimination related to their health status, including when seeking care for genetic conditions, mental health needs or fertility. Haydeé Acebo, a human resources expert and author of “The Power of Asking For Help,” said employers should make it easier for workers to get information in ways that feel comfortable.
Rather than relying only on a large company-wide presentation, HR teams can hold smaller group sessions, offer office hours, or create an email inbox or chat where employees can submit questions anonymously. Answers can then be shared more broadly, helping workers get information without having to raise a personal concern in front of a large audience.
Employers can also provide access to an independent benefits concierge or navigation service. According to Fronstin, workers may feel more comfortable asking questions through a third party that does not report identifiable information back to the employer. Companies can still receive aggregated statistics, such as call volumes and the benefits employees ask about. Those patterns may help employers identify coverage workers want but do not currently have.
Some employers may also use AI tools, developed internally or provided by a vendor, to help workers compare plans and consider which options fit their expected healthcare needs for the coming year.
Support need not end when enrollment closes. Fronstin said employers can keep talking with workers about their healthcare choices and help them find information on the cost and quality of care. While emergency room visits are generally not something patients can shop around for, he noted, services such as imaging, colonoscopies, endoscopies and hernia repairs may allow people to compare options and prices.
Sources: HR Dive.