As open enrollment approaches, employees often face a flood of information, leading to questions and misconceptions about onsite clinics. Common concerns may include doubts about care quality, privacy, and unclear services. Addressing these concerns upfront is crucial to reassure employees that onsite clinics offer the same standard of care as traditional medical facilities. One of the most effective ways to tackle these issues is to communicate clear, straightforward answers to common benefits questions.
Crafting the Right Message
When communicating the benefits of onsite clinics, it’s important to highlight the aspects that matter most to employees. Key benefits to emphasize include:
- Cost Savings: Onsite clinics reduce out-of-pocket expenses, eliminating co-pays and deductibles.
- Convenience: Employees can access healthcare right at work, fitting appointments into their busy schedules.
- Quality of Care: Onsite clinics offer personalized, high-quality care tailored to employee needs.
Try tailoring these messages to different employee demographics. For instance, younger employees may prioritize convenience and digital access, while older employees might be more interested in preventive care and managing chronic conditions. Personalization matters to employees, with more than half (54%) wishing they had personalized benefits recommendations (MetLife, 2023).
Optimizing Communication Channels
To effectively reach all employees, use a variety of communication channels:
- Emails: Send concise, regular emails highlighting the benefits of onsite clinics.
- Webinars: Host interactive webinars where employees can ask questions in real time.
- In-Person Meetings: Offer face-to-face consultations with benefits advisors.
- HR Portals and Newsletters: Utilize existing HR platforms and newsletters to share vital information.
Remember, nearly 3 in 5 employees spend less than 30 minutes researching their benefits (Aflac, 2022), and about 7 in 10 workers find online resources "very or extremely helpful" (Optavise, 2023). Ensure that information is easily digestible by keeping communications simple, accessible, and direct.
Building Trust Through Transparency
Transparency builds trust with employees. Provide clear, detailed information about onsite clinic services and share testimonials or success stories from employees who have benefited from the clinic. Personal stories resonate more than facts and figures alone and can encourage others to utilize the services.
Effectively communicating the benefits of onsite clinics during open enrollment is key to helping employees make informed, confident decisions. By providing clear and transparent communication, you can position your clinic as a valuable resource. Encourage your employees to explore onsite clinics this open enrollment—they may discover it’s the best decision they make all year.
References
Aflac. (2022). Workplace Benefits Trends Executive Summary. https://www.aflac.com/docs/awr/pdf/2022-overview/2022-aflac-awr-executive-summary.pdf
MetLife. (2023, October 7). How employers can demystify open enrollment for employees. https://www.metlife.com/workforce-insights/supporting-employees-during-open-enrollment/
Optavise. (2023). 2023 Healthcare Literacy Report: Employer involvement in benefits education continues to decrease, creating a void. https://www.optavise.com/insights/resources/report/the-2023-consumer-report
