The 90-Day Open Enrollment Calendar
| Timeline | Activities |
|---|---|
| Day 1–30 (Planning) | Finalize plan designs and rates; confirm vendor contracts; update plan documents; prepare SBC |
| Day 31–60 (Development) | Develop communication materials; build decision support tools; train HR staff; prepare enrollment platform |
| Day 61–75 (Pre-Enrollment) | Distribute open enrollment guide; send email announcements; schedule benefits fairs; launch decision support tool |
| Day 76–90 (Enrollment) | Open enrollment period; employee support; benefits fairs; deadline reminders |
| Post-Enrollment | Analyze enrollment data; identify adverse selection; communicate plan changes to carriers |
The SBC Requirement
The ACA requires employers to provide a Summary of Benefits and Coverage (SBC) to employees during open enrollment. The SBC must be provided before the enrollment period begins — not during it. Confirm your carrier or TPA has prepared current SBCs for all plan options and that they will be distributed before the enrollment period opens.
The Planning Failure
Watch Out
The most common open enrollment failure is starting too late. Employers who begin planning 30 days before the enrollment period cannot develop quality communication materials, train HR staff, or build effective decision support tools. The result: employees make uninformed decisions, adverse selection increases, and employee satisfaction with benefits declines. Start planning 90 days out — every year.