--- title: Prepare for Open Enrollment description: Prepare for open enrollment with strategies to boost employee benefits satisfaction through education, choices, easy access, and personalized guidance. image: https://blog.novahealthcare.com/hubfs/Health%20Benefits%20Open%20Enrollment.png --- [Skip to content](https://blog.novahealthcare.com/insights/prepare-for-open-enrollment#main-content) [![nova-logo-transparent](https://blog.novahealthcare.com/hs-fs/hubfs/nova-logo-transparent.png?width=101&height=50&name=nova-logo-transparent.png)Homepage](https://www.novahealthcare.com/) - [Services](https://www.novahealthcare.com/services.html) - [Why choose a self funded health plan](https://www.novahealthcare.com/services/why-self-funding.html) - [Self-Funded Employee Benefits](https://www.novahealthcare.com/services/self-funded-employee-benefits.html) - [Nova x HealthJoy](https://www.novahealthcare.com/services/nova-x-healthjoy.html) - [Business Process Outsourcing](https://www.novahealthcare.com/services/white-labeled-services.html) - [HSA, FSA and HRA Benefits](https://www.novahealthcare.com/services/hsa-fsa-hra-benefits.html) - [Self-Funded Dental and Vision Insurance](https://www.novahealthcare.com/services/ancillary-benefits.html) - [Providers](https://www.novahealthcare.com/providers.html) - [About Nova](https://www.novahealthcare.com/about-us.html) - [Nova News](https://www.novahealthcare.com/about-us/newsroom.html) - [Work at Nova](https://www.novahealthcare.com/careers) - [Contact Us](https://www.novahealthcare.com/contact-us.html) - [Resources](https://www.novahealthcare.com/resources.html) - [Member](https://www.novahealthcare.com/member.html) [Client](https://www.novahealthcare.com/client.html) - [Services](https://www.novahealthcare.com/services.html) - [Why choose a self funded health plan](https://www.novahealthcare.com/services/why-self-funding.html) - [Self-Funded Employee Benefits](https://www.novahealthcare.com/services/self-funded-employee-benefits.html) - [Nova x HealthJoy](https://www.novahealthcare.com/services/nova-x-healthjoy.html) - [Business Process Outsourcing](https://www.novahealthcare.com/services/white-labeled-services.html) - [HSA, FSA and HRA Benefits](https://www.novahealthcare.com/services/hsa-fsa-hra-benefits.html) - [Self-Funded Dental and Vision Insurance](https://www.novahealthcare.com/services/ancillary-benefits.html) - [Providers](https://www.novahealthcare.com/providers.html) - [About Nova](https://www.novahealthcare.com/about-us.html) - [Nova News](https://www.novahealthcare.com/about-us/newsroom.html) - [Work at Nova](https://www.novahealthcare.com/careers) - [Contact Us](https://www.novahealthcare.com/contact-us.html) - [Resources](https://www.novahealthcare.com/resources.html) - [Member](https://www.novahealthcare.com/member.html) [Client](https://www.novahealthcare.com/client.html) ![Open enrollment booklet laying on a table with a calculator, prescription bottles, and a stethoscope](https://blog.novahealthcare.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Health%20Benefits%20Open%20Enrollment.png?width=1200&height=1200&name=Health%20Benefits%20Open%20Enrollment.png) Benefits Engagement Open Enrollment # Prepare for Open Enrollment ![Nova](https://blog.novahealthcare.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Apple%20Touch%20Icon.png?width=48&height=48&name=Apple%20Touch%20Icon.png) Nova October 8, 2026 As you gear up for open enrollment season, enhancing your employees’ benefits experience isn’t just a checkbox; it’s essential for engagement and retention. A recent study by research and consulting organization LIMRA, reported by [*BenefitsPRO*](https://www.benefitspro.com/2025/07/10/education-more-options-can-improve-employee-benefits-satisfaction-study-finds/?kw=Education,%20more%20options%20can%20improve%20employee%20benefits%20satisfaction,%20study%20finds&utm_position=6&utm_source=email&utm_medium=enl&utm_campaign=bprodailynews&utm_content=20250711&utm_term=bpro&user_id=df348898422b5e50fe789e0ed3bcdbfa9691025482b86385f4b7c3f8dc46ec5d)*,* reveals powerful insights about the role of education and choice in driving employee satisfaction: - 7 in 10 employees say they’re at least somewhat satisfied with their benefits, but only 43% are highly satisfied. - Roughly 60% say their benefits motivate them to stay with their employer (41% say much more likely). Meanwhile, a dissatisfied minority (~20%) feels less committed. - Most notably, over 70% of employees who fully understand both their insurance and retirement benefits report high satisfaction, while those with poor understanding tend to feel disengaged. For employers, this means that helping employees understand and access their benefits isn't just helpful, it’s a competitive advantage. Here are four actionable strategies to prepare for open enrollment and drive smarter benefits use year-round. **1. Educate to Elevate** Understanding drives satisfaction, and education is how you bridge the gap: Only **42% of employees** reported receiving total compensation statements, and fewer than half found traditional emails helpful. Instead, live education, whether through group sessions or one-on-one guidance, is significantly more effective. **Open enrollment tips for success:** - Provide total compensation statements to each employee to show the full value of employer-paid benefits. - Schedule interactive education sessions, such as group webinars, one-on-one meetings with benefits experts, or dedicated office hours for employees to ask questions and get clarity. **2. Offer Real Choice** A richer benefits menu leads to higher satisfaction. Only **25% of employees** with 1–3 benefit options were satisfied, compared to **63% satisfaction** among those with 10 or more benefits. **Ways to expand choice:** - Add flexible benefits options such as FSAs, HSAs, lifestyle accounts, or multiple medical plan tiers. - Survey employees to better understand which voluntary benefits (e.g., vision, dental, identity theft protection, pet insurance) matter most to them. **3. Make Benefits Easy to Access and Use** Ease of access matters just as much as what you offer. **87% of employees** who say their benefits are easy to access are highly satisfied. On the flip side, nearly **60%** who struggle with access also struggle with understanding their benefits. **Steps to improve access:** - Streamline enrollment tools and create a central benefits hub on your intranet or website. - Offer FAQs, tip sheets, and reminders throughout the year. - Ensure mobile-friendly and accessible communications for all employees. **4. Leverage Human Element in Education** HR and third-party advisors are becoming more essential, with **40% of employees** turning to HR and **18% to external experts**. These personal interactions increase confidence and clarity, especially for new hires, 92% of whom said group or one-on-one sessions were extremely helpful. Employees want more than digital tools. **Best practices:** - Schedule open office hours or one-on-one Q&A sessions with your HR team, benefits partner or broker. - Lean on your TPA, broker or benefits partners – they may offer ready-made toolkits, explainer videos, and other education materials. When done well, open enrollment reinforces the value of your total rewards program, empowers employees to make informed choices, and builds long-term loyalty. Education, choice, accessibility, and the human touch are key ingredients in helping your benefits stand out and work harder for your people. Looking for more tips to enhance open enrollment? Here are [five more tips for a smooth open enrollment period.](https://blog.novahealthcare.com/hubfs/prospect-materials/building-a-successful-open-enrollment-program.pdf) Still have questions? [Reach out](https://www.novahealthcare.com/contact-us) to learn how Nova supports clients in managing their plans.   ## Share this post [mailto:https%3A%2F%2Fblog.novahealthcare.com%2Finsights%2Fprepare-for-open-enrollment](mailto:https%3A%2F%2Fblog.novahealthcare.com%2Finsights%2Fprepare-for-open-enrollment) ## Keep reading ### [![](https://blog.novahealthcare.com/hs-fs/hubfs/engaging-employees-open-enrollment.png?width=1200&height=600&name=engaging-employees-open-enrollment.png) Benefits Engagement Open Enrollment Effective Strategies for Engaging Employees During Open Enrollment](https://blog.novahealthcare.com/insights/engaging-employees-during-open-enrollment) ### [![Self-funded health plans offer a flexible approach to controlling health plan costs.](https://blog.novahealthcare.com/hs-fs/hubfs/self-funding-control-health-care-costs.png?width=1200&height=600&name=self-funding-control-health-care-costs.png) Self-Funding & Plan Design Self-Funded Insurance: A Flexible Solution for Health Benefits](https://blog.novahealthcare.com/insights/self-funded-insurance-benefits) [**Home**](https://www.novahealthcare.com/home.html) [**Contact Us**](https://www.novahealthcare.com/contact-us.html) [**Careers**](https://www.novahealthcare.com/about-us/careers.html) **Resources** [Member](https://www.novahealthcare.com/resources/member-resources.html) [Employer](https://www.novahealthcare.com/resources/blog.html) **Login** [Member](https://www.novahealthcare.com/member.html) [Employer](https://www.novahealthcare.com/client.html) **Follow Us** [Privacy & Security](https://www.novahealthcare.com/privacy-and-security.html) | [Policies & Disclaimers](https://www.novahealthcare.com/policies-and-disclaimers.html) | [Technical Support](https://www.novahealthcare.com/technical-support.html) | [Sitemap](https://www.novahealthcare.com/nova-health-care-site-map.html) © 2026 Nova Healthcare Administrators, Inc. ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Nova", "url" : "https://blog.novahealthcare.com/insights/author/nova" }, "dateModified" : "2026-10-15T18:41:13.022Z", "datePublished" : "2026-10-08T11:29:00.000Z", "headline" : "Prepare for Open Enrollment", "image" : [ "https://blog.novahealthcare.com/hubfs/Health%20Benefits%20Open%20Enrollment.png" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://blog.novahealthcare.com/insights/prepare-for-open-enrollment", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://blog.novahealthcare.com/hubfs/NovaLogoNoTagCMYK-1.jpg" }, "name" : "Nova Healthcare Administrators, Inc." } } ```