Open Enrollment may be the headline act, but it’s the opening act that determines how well the show goes.
In the public sector, where HR teams are often juggling seasonal employees, union contracts, retiree populations, and tight budget cycles, there’s no room for confusion—or mistrust—when it comes to employee benefits. That’s why successful Open Enrollment isn’t just about the plan designs you offer. It’s about how you communicate them—before enrollment even begins.
At Bentek, we’ve seen firsthand how early, transparent communication builds the trust your team needs to drive higher participation, reduce support calls, and meet compliance requirements. Here’s how to lay that foundation now—so Open Enrollment doesn’t become a fire drill later.
1. Start Early. Earlier Than You Think.
Your employees don’t live in the benefits world every day—you do. And while your team might be deep in plan negotiations or system configurations, most employees are still months away from thinking about deductibles and dependent eligibility. That’s your cue.
Pre-enrollment communication should begin 6–8 weeks before OE launches—not just to notify employees of dates and deadlines, but to set expectations, simplify plan changes, and begin re-establishing the “why” behind your benefits.
📌 Pro Tip: Use this window to reintroduce benefits basics. Provide simple definitions (copay, deductible, premium), especially for newly hired or seasonal staff who may be navigating enrollment for the first time.
2. Build Trust Through Transparency
Trust is earned. And in benefits, that means clearly answering:
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What’s changing this year?
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Why are changes being made?
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What are my options?
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Who can help me if I have questions?
Employees aren’t just looking for choices—they’re looking for guidance. The more your communication answers these questions proactively, the more confident employees feel—and the fewer 11th-hour support calls you’ll get.
✔️ Highlight cost increases early
✔️ Explain any plan adjustments in plain language
✔️ Acknowledge rising healthcare costs, and show how your plan is still working hard for them
By humanizing these messages, HR teams can reinforce that they’re not just administrators—they’re advocates.
3. Don’t Just Push Info. Invite Engagement.
It’s not enough to “notify” employees about enrollment. You need to engage them.
According to a recent survey by Businessolver’s 2025 Benefits Insights Report, 85% of employees say they don’t understand their benefits materials and 1 in 3 admit they don’t open benefits emails at all. The fix? Diversify how you deliver the message:
✉️ Email announcements
📣 Intranet banners and countdown clocks
📊 Virtual info sessions
📱 SMS reminders for key deadlines
👥 In-person or video walk-throughs for high-impact populations (retirees, union groups, etc.)
A one-size-fits-all communication plan doesn’t cut it in the public sector. Tailor your outreach by employee type—and use your benefits system to track who’s engaging and who may need more support.
4. Reinforce Year-Round, Not Once a Year
Open Enrollment is a peak moment—but it’s not the only one.
When employees only hear about their benefits once a year, the entire experience feels transactional. That’s why ongoing benefits engagement matters. Use touchpoints throughout the year to reinforce how your plan supports employees in real life:
🏥 Scheduling preventive care? Remind them about wellness incentives.
👶 Having a baby? Provide easy-to-access QLE guidance.
📈 Reviewing payroll? Flag flexible spending account balances or HSA contributions.
With a solution like Bentek, you don’t have to wait for Open Enrollment to educate and support your workforce. Our platform centralizes benefit details, provides automated reminders, and allows employees to self-service many common actions—freeing your HR team to focus on higher-value tasks.
Final Thought: Pre-Enrollment Isn’t Extra—It’s Essential
Public sector HR teams are managing more complexity than ever. The smartest teams know that Open Enrollment success starts long before the first click.
By investing in early communication, trust-building, and ongoing engagement, you’re not just making benefits easier—you’re making your organization stronger.
✅ Want to Make Pre-Enrollment Easier?
Schedule a personalized demo and see how Bentek helps public sector HR teams simplify communication, boost participation, and reduce enrollment stress across every employee type.
