Preseason Prep: How Open Enrollment is Like Training Camp

Just as NBA players fine-tune their game before the season begins, employees and employers must strategically prepare for open enrollment to make the most of health and benefits decisions.

The NBA preseason is more than just warm-up games—it’s a time for players to study playbooks, build chemistry, and prepare for the season ahead. In the same way, open enrollment is a crucial preparation period for employers and employees alike. It’s the annual opportunity to assess health and benefits coverage, make adjustments, and set a strong foundation for the year ahead.

Just as no team enters the season without practice, no employer or employee should enter open enrollment without a game plan.

Why Open Enrollment Guidance Matters for Employees

1. Annual Opportunity for Review: Open enrollment is often the only time employees can start, stop, or change their health insurance and other benefits.
2. Adapting to Evolving Needs: Players adapt their game to changes in their bodies. Similarly, employees should review how family health needs, financial situations, or lifestyle changes might require different coverage.
3. Informed Decision-Making: Preseason is when coaches install game plans and teach team strategy. In open enrollment, guidance gives employees the tools to understand different plan types (PPO, HMO, HDHP) and additional offerings like HSAs or FSAs.
4. Maximizing Value: Just as players aim to get the most out of every possession, employees can maximize the value of their benefits by fully understanding what’s available, leading to higher satisfaction and engagement.
5. Financial Planning: Athletes prepare for the long grind of the season. Employees should prepare financially for the year ahead by reviewing contributions to health savings accounts or flexible spending accounts.

Why Open Enrollment Guidance Matters for Employers

1. Strategic Benefits Management: Open enrollment is a chance to evaluate current benefits and costs, like how a coach reviews a team’s roster depth.
2. Employee Well-being & Satisfaction: Clear communication helps employees make confident decisions like a team with a solid game plan heading into opening night.
3. Recruitment & Retention: A well-managed open enrollment process highlights the value of benefits, strengthening an employer’s ability to attract and retain top talent.
4. Cost Control: Just like teams have to work within a salary cap, employers must analyze plan choices to identify ways to manage spending effectively.
5. Increased Benefit Utilization: Guidance can help employers ensure that their employees use their benefits wisely, delivering a better return on investment on the employer’s investment.
6. Compliance: Just as NBA teams must play within the league’s rules, employers must ensure compliance with evolving regulations like the ACA and ERISA.

How Guidance Makes the Difference

• Provides Essential Resources: Tools like cost calculators, plan comparisons, and decision support empower employees to make the right call.
• Simplifies Complex Decisions: Offering a clear, manageable set of options helps employees avoid decision fatigue.
• Encourages Active Participation: Effective guidance motivates employees to spend the necessary time reviewing their options.

NBA preseason is about preparation, strategy, and setting the tone for success. Open enrollment plays the same role for employers and employees. Open enrollment is when an employer can prepare, plan, and position itself for a winning year.

With the right guidance, employees can choose coverage that supports their evolving needs and financial well-being, while employers can ensure their benefits strategy enhances satisfaction, retention, and ROI.

How RMC Group Can Help

Just as no championship is won without preseason preparation, no benefits program can thrive without a thoughtful open enrollment process. That’s where RMC Group comes in. Our team works with employers to design benefits strategies that not only attract and retain top talent but also align with business goals and budgets. From evaluating plan options to educating employees and simplifying the enrollment process, we help you create a game plan that drives satisfaction and long-term success. With RMC on your side, you’ll be ready to tip off the open enrollment season with confidence.

Ready to build your winning benefits strategy? Contact RMC Group today to get started at 239-298-8210 or click here to schedule a meeting to learn more.