Benefits Technology Success Stories: Open Enrollment, Web-Based Benefits Administration, and Benefits Communication

Strategic Insights -

In recent years, employers have been leveraging various technologies to streamline their benefits administration processes and improve employee engagement. According to a survey conducted by IOMA, 14.4% of benefits managers deemed open enrollment as the most successful technology used during the past year. Additionally, 13.4% of the surveyed benefits managers considered web-based benefits administration as a successful technology, praising its cost- and time-saving benefits. Benefits communication, although cited less frequently, also ranked as a successful technology, with 8% of the surveyed readers giving it high marks.

Key Takeaways:

  • Open enrollment was the most successful technology used by benefits managers, with 14.4% of the surveyed managers labeling it as such.
  • Web-based benefits administration was also deemed successful by 13.4% of the surveyed benefits managers, with employers praising its cost- and time-saving benefits.
  • Benefits communication ranked as the third most successful benefits technology, with 8% of the surveyed readers giving it high marks.
  • Various formats were used for benefits communication, including Internet-based information and forms, computer-based benefits statements, and benefit websites.
  • Employers used the Internet to provide information, access directories, and reduce paperwork, resulting in improved benefits administration processes.
  • Examples of successful benefits technology implementations include:

+ A 3,200-employee manufacturing plant in Illinois that implemented web open enrollment and saw more than 50% of employees use it.

+ A 40-person financial institution in the Midwest that praised web-based benefits administration for saving tons of time and postage.

+ A 500-employee financial firm in Kansas that used the Internet for access to information, including the firm's PPO directory.

+ A private practice firm in Tennessee with 280 employees that put provider directories on the web site to assist employees in finding in-network providers.

  • The benefits management process can be improved by utilizing various technologies, reducing paperwork, and increasing employee engagement.

Statistics:

  • 14.4% of benefits managers labeled open enrollment as the most successful technology used during the past year.
  • 13.4% of the surveyed benefits managers considered web-based benefits administration as a successful technology.
  • 8% of the surveyed readers gave benefits communication high marks.
  • 50% of employees at a 3,200-employee manufacturing plant in Illinois used the company's web open enrollment.
  • Benefits administrators can save tons of time and postage using web-based benefits administration.

Sources:

  • IOMA's 2002 Benefits Management and Cost Reduction Survey
  • "Managing Benefits Plans 2003 Benefits Management and Cost Reduction Reference Guide"
  • Quotes from senior benefits analyst at a 3,200-employee manufacturing plant in Illinois, HR coordinator at a 40-person financial institution in the Midwest, office manager at a small distributing company in Texas, benefits manager from a 500-employee financial company in the East, HR director at a local government with 700 employees in Michigan, and VP of HR for a 1,080-employee health care company in the East.