Conquer open enrollment
Simple steps to get you through with confidence
Feeling anxious about open enrollment? To help you prepare, we've put together an action plan that will help you understand your options and successfully sign up for a benefits plan that fits your lifestyle. Let's get started!
Step 1: Start open enrollment early
Familiarize yourself with your employer’s open enrollment website when they send you a URL and login information. Most importantly, see what options your employer is offering.
Step 2: Schedule time to assess
Open enrollment may be just
a few weeks long, and it can go by before you know it. During that first week, book some time (an hour or so, to add some cushion) to review your current
plan.
It may be helpful to review a few key questions that will help you select the plan that fits you and your family best – whether that’s the same one you have now or a new one. And if basic health plan terms seem confusing, take a few minutes to learn about basic health plan terms.
It may be helpful to review a few key questions that will help you select the plan that fits you and your family best – whether that’s the same one you have now or a new one. And if basic health plan terms seem confusing, take a few minutes to learn about basic health plan terms.
Step 3: Review plans
Be prepared with
the items you’ll need: paper statements, login info; and a pen and paper. As you review plans, take notes and eliminate the ones that don’t work for you. Narrow them down to a few options until one stands out the most.
Some questions to help you get there are:
Some questions to help you get there are:
- Do you or does anyone in your family have a new or existing chronic condition?
- Do you or does anyone in your family need a specific brand of medication?
- Have your circumstances changed, or do you have significant life events ahead this year (such as getting married or having a baby)?
Step 4: Reach out with questions
Scheduling time to explore your options and taking notes gives you a built-in buffer in case last-minute questions bubble
up. If you do have questions, reach out to your benefits manager or HR contact.
You can also visit your employer’s Blue Shield of California website for answers.
Step 6: Sign up for a plan
Once you've decided which plan is best for you and your family, you'll need to login to your company's benefits website to make your choices official. All of your preparations have finally paid off!