Home / Top News / Open enrollment season for 2023 employee benefits is getting underway

Open enrollment season for 2023 employee benefits is getting underway


Hinterhaus Productions | Digitalvision | Getty Images

It’s that time of year, when workers get to make some decisions about their employee benefits.

Many companies are beginning to hold their annual open enrollment period, which is when employees can sign up for 2023 health insurance — as well as consider other benefits, if your employer offers them. Some may offer extras like supplemental life or disability insurance, pet insurance or help with education costs.

“People tend to

User Rating: Be the first one !
their benefits very quickly,” said Paul Fronstin, director of health benefits research at the Employee Benefit Research Institute. “I think the most important thing is that you actually look at what’s being offered.”

More from Personal Finance:
How to save as food inflation jumps more than 11% in a year
Here’s how much you can save by secondhand shopping
Pay isn’t keeping up with inflation. What experts say to do

For health insurance, workers may have options to choose from, including a high-deductible health plan, which in 2023 means one with a deductible of at least $1,500 for single coverage and $3,000 for a family plan.

Because of the higher deductible — the amount you pay for covered medical costs before insurance kicks in — the monthly premiums may be lower than other coverage options.

Health savings accounts come with triple tax benefit

You could end up losing at least part of [your contributions], depending on how the FSA is set up.

Paul Fronstin

Director of health benefits research at the Employee Benefit Research Institute

However, they usually come with a “use it or lose it” clause — meaning if you don’t spend the balance by the end of the year, you lose it unless your company is among those that give you a grace period or allow a certain amount to roll over to the next year.

“You have to think carefully about how often you go to the doctor, how much are your maintenance medications,” Fronstin said. “You could end up losing at least part of [your contributions], depending on how the FSA is set up.”

Regardless of whether you use either of those pretax savings options, it’s important to consider how you’d cover any out-of-pocket costs that arise from seeing a doctor or otherwise using the health care system, said Jeff Levin-Scherz,  a managing director for Willis Towers Watson.

Here's how U.S. companies are rethinking vacation time

“It can cost more in premiums to pay less out of pocket … but many families can’t afford unexpected costs,” Levin-Scherz said. 

Employees are contributing an average $4,412 for their health insurance in 2022, of which $2,520 is paid in the form of premiums and $1,892 is paid through cost sharing such as deductibles, copays and coinsurance, according to Aon.

Other benefits may be available

About admin

Check Also

How yelling at kids affects their happiness, success

Almost every parent yells at their child eventually, no matter how hard they try to …