Navigating your company’s insurance benefits can be a tricky task. From understanding benefits, coverage and deadlines, you might have a lot of questions. Thankfully, you don’t have to manage this transition alone. Read on to learn more about how to enroll in your company’s insurance benefits.
Determine Your Coverage Needs
Before you jump right into your insurance paperwork, take some time to determine your coverage needs. Some employers offer only health insurance. Others have more comprehensive insurance benefits that include dental, vision and even pet health insurance plans.
To determine the coverage that you need, first take stock of the family members who need coverage. If you’re single, you won’t need to worry about the same level of coverage as you might if you have multiple young children at home. Additionally, health insurance plans are broken down into different groupings for singles, couples and families, so you’ll be looking at different costs for each of these brackets.
Next, you’ll need to decide whether you need insurance above and beyond your basic health coverage. If your employer offers a dental and vision plan, for example, you can decide to accept these policies and determine your coverage level accordingly.
Talk to Your Human Resources Representative
The best person to go to when you have questions about your company’s insurance benefits is your human resources representative. Your human resources department is responsible for maintaining up-to-date information on benefits programs and will give you the resources that you need to make the best decision.
If you’re comparing your policy options around open enrollment time, your human resources department may even offer workshops or webinars that will walk you through your insurance options and selection process. Take advantage of this information and reserve questions for an email thread or face-to-face conversation with your representative.
Compare Your Options
You should receive a worksheet or pamphlet with plan information broken down by coverage level. You can use this sheet to compare your plan choices, such as high deductible plans and EPOs, as well as the family coverage level that you require.
Select a Plan
Once you’ve gathered your information and compared your choices, you’re ready to make a final decision. Select your plan and consult with your human resources department to get an idea of what your financial responsibility for coverage will be. You will also want to make note of deductible and network provider requirements so that you’re prepared the next time you make a doctor’s appointment.
Fill Out Necessary Paperwork and Mind Deadlines
With a plan in place, all you need to do is sign on the dotted line. Follow the worksheet or online registration form that you’re given with your insurance resources to complete your registration. And be sure to take careful notice of deadlines, since the enrollment period is often firmly fixed during one period of time. If you miss the window, you may risk uninsurability under your employer’s insurance benefits program.
