Oh, How I Hate “Open Enrollment”

Tuesday, 02 November 2010 | by Pat's Picks

I keep getting these messages from the HR department reminding me to complete my “Open Enrollment” for my 2011 benefits. And I keep putting it off because I hate this annual chore.

I was talking about it on NY1 this morning in my conversation with Annika Pergament for our business report, showing off the glasses I bought last year. The prescription is exactly the same as the old one. Because I didn’t need new glasses—I only bought them after overestimated how much my family would spend on stuff that can be reimbursed under my Healthcare Spending Account—I had hundreds of dollars left over.

At least the transit benefit is somewhat predictable. My problem with that one and the childcare benefit is that signing up for the benefit brings more paper. Paper coming in and paper going out to claim my benefits and make sure I used up everything I contributed.

And it doesn’t get any easier on the health insurance decisions. If you’re lucky, your existing health plan meets your needs and you’ll roll it over for the next year. But more likely you’ll find that there are dozens of minor changes you’re forced to read through and compare to last year’s plan to see if you should be making a change.

Here’s an idea for the new Congress: what about changing the tax code so we don’t have to play this game of predicting what we’ll spend on deductible medical products and services?

I’m grateful to have a good benefits package. But it’s not easy getting something for free.