Now that spring has arrived, thoughts turn to the design, communication, and eventual implementation of next year’s health and welfare benefits. Reviewing and drafting open enrollment communication materials can help address the following issues, as well as inform plan design decisions for next year’s benefits:

• Compliance with the myriad Code, ERISA, and ACA provisions applicable to health and welfare benefits
• The interplay between high-deductible health plans and existing onsite clinics or rapidly growing telemedicine initiatives
• Wellness rules and requirements
• Interactions between open enrollment materials, plan documents, and SPDs
• Impact of upcoming changes on prior benefits
• Health flexible spending account interactions with health savings accounts
• Electronic communication rules and best practices
• Legally mandated annual communication requirements