| Open enrollment is underway. Here are some tips to maximize your benefits post-Covid | | |  | WED, NOV 03, 2021 | | | | It's that time of year again: open enrollment.
It's the annual rite of passage when employees can sign up for or make changes to their health insurance and other benefits.
Employees often greet open enrollment with a collective groan, seeing it as just one more thing to add to their ever-expanding to-do list. In fact, on average, employees spend just about 30 minutes reviewing their open enrollment options, meaning they probably overlook some key benefits.
If you're among that group, try looking at it another way: Health insurance and some of the other benefits offered are a big chunk of your total compensation, so the consequences of choosing the wrong plan — or skipping over available options — could be financially devastating.
During open enrollment, the main focus is likely on selecting major medical coverage. While that is a big part of the selection process, it's also important to review the additional benefits that might be available to you, such as vision, dental or hearing coverage. Some plans also offer long-term insurance, long-term disability insurance, telehealth services and health savings accounts.
Many companies also offer what are known as voluntary benefits. These are perks that aren't offered free of charge but are made available to workers for purchase. Voluntary benefits can vary, but here are some examples: Supplemental medical plans, pre-paid legal plans, pet insurance and gym memberships.
While health care is the primary focus during open enrollment, don't skip over those add-on benefits. Take the time during open enrollment to review all the employee benefits that are available to you.
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