Crafting Your Q1 Benefits Communications

The beginning of the year is the ideal time to refresh your typical beginning-of-the-year benefits communications, and we have some tips to help you get a running start.
High deductible health plan. Did your company switch to a high deductible health plan this year? If so, your employees will need some guidance on how to make the most of this benefit. Send out periodic emails reminding them:

  • Point-of-service payments will be higher, but they go toward the deductible
  • Deductible must be met before the plan begins to pay any expenses, including most prescriptions
  • Paycheck deductions will be lower
  • Health spending account can be used to pay for eligible expenses

And this messaging isn’t just beneficial for employees who are new to a high deductible health plan. All employees need to be reminded.

Wellness program. This is the perfect time of year to encourage employee participation in your company wellness program. Send employees an email with suggestions on how to get the most from this program. You may also want to consider sending a postcard home to reach all family members.

Form 1095-C. New this year…the 1095-C form. Your employees are going to have questions. You can prevent a steady stream of questions by posting to your website a simple FAQ that explains:

  • What is a 1095-C form?
  • Why am I receiving it?
  • What do I have to do with it?
  • Do I need this to prepare my taxes?
  • Do I submit this form with my tax return?
  • Do I owe more taxes because of this?

Remember, when crafting your benefits communications, employees only want to know three things:

  1. What is this about?
  2. How does it impact me?
  3. What do I have to do?

Happy writing!

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