Open Enrollment Prep: A Mid-Year Benefits Checklist for Employers
The best open enrollment prep doesn't start in the fall - it starts now. Here's a mid-year checklist for employers to get ahead of their benefits renewal and avoid the scramble.
Now (6+ Months Before Renewal)
- Pull your current claims data and run a Medical Loss Ratio (MLR) analysis
- Identify any high-cost claimants and evaluate stop-loss options if self-funded
- Review your current plan design against market benchmarks
- Assess employee satisfaction with current benefits (quick survey)
- Confirm your renewal date and notify your broker
3-4 Months Before Renewal
- Request renewal projections from your current carrier
- Begin re-marketing to competing carriers
- Evaluate alternative plan structures (level-funded, ICHRA, PEO)
- Review ancillary benefits (dental, vision, life, disability) for competitiveness
- Update employee census data
1-2 Months Before Renewal
- Finalize plan selection and negotiate final rates
- Prepare open enrollment communications and employee education materials
- Update HRIS and benefits administration system with new plan details
- Confirm compliance requirements (ACA reporting, COBRA notices, SPD updates)
How A&C Helps
A&C Management Group manages this entire process for our clients. We conduct the MLR analysis, re-market to carriers, negotiate the renewal, and handle the open enrollment communications. You focus on your business; we handle the benefits.