Why see a benefit counselor for re-enrollment?

Many people fall into the trap of participating in voluntary open enrollment once and then switching to autopilot when it comes to re-enrolling in the following years. When it comes to benefits, it’s easy to set it and forget it, but don’t make this mistake! For something as important as your benefits coverage, it is in your best interest to stay aware of your options. Your employer will likely provide tools to help keep you up to date on their benefits, but generally, we believe a benefit counselor is the best way to remain informed about your coverage options and to have your questions answered. If one is available to you, a benefit counselor can help you make the most of an opportunity to re-enroll in your benefits. Here’s how:



Review coverage
A benefit counselor can help you review the policy you currently have and they will likely ask why you chose your coverage and how you’ve used your benefits over the past year. Through these conversations, both you and the counselor can better understand your priorities and coverage needs so that you can work together to create a better plan for the coming year.

New coverage options or changes
Your employer wants to provide you the best possible coverage. Sometimes, this means that they change benefit offerings or add new benefits that you can use to enhance your protection. In a changing landscape, and especially if your medical coverage is changing, it can be tough to keep track of how all these benefits (voluntary and medical) fit together. Chatting one-on-one with a benefit counselor will give you the most visibility to any important changes or new coverage options available. They can answer any questions you may have and help adjust your coverage based on how the new changes or options affect you. 

It’s a chance to talk to a benefits expert 
If you need help on a car, you have to pay a mechanic. If you need help with your taxes, you pay for tax help. But, when you have a benefits counselor available for your benefits, you’re getting free guidance on your insurance options. With benefits making up a significant part of your income, it would be a waste not to get a personalized look at how your employer’s benefits offering fits together and how those benefits apply to your situation.

Your situation may have changed
How has your life changed in the last year? Has there been a change in your pay? Maybe you moved? Did you get married or have a child? Did a grandchild arrive? As your circumstances change, so do your insurance needs. Seeing a benefits counselor for re-enrollment is a chance to reevaluate your needs based on any changes to your family, finances and health. A lot can change in a year and your visit with your benefits counselor will help you evaluate your options and make sure you have the coverage that fits your needs.

Even if you’re comfortable with your benefits coverage and the voluntary enrollment process, there is still value in re-visiting your options each year to make sure that your coverage is right for you. Consider that 72 percent of employees who receive face-to-face communication reported being “Satisfied” or “Very Satisfied” with their benefits program, which is the highest of any communication method. If a benefit counselor is available to you either by phone or in person, take advantage of their expertise to help better protect your family and your finances.