As open enrollment is fast approaching, HR leaders and business owners are searching for ways to deliver more value to employees while managing costs and risk. At HumCap’s recent webinar, “Benefits That Work: Strategic Tools for Year-Round Impact,” our own Kimer Moore—a seasoned total rewards consultant—shared actionable strategies for building a cost-effective benefits program that truly works for both employers and employees. We were also joined by Mandy Baker from freshbenies, who highlighted how strategic partnerships can amplify these efforts and do more, with less.

The Three Strategic Lenses of Total Rewards

Employee benefits are a highly strategic—not just transactional—part of your business. View your programs through three strategic lenses:

  • Philosophy: Align benefits with your company’s values, mission, and culture. Whether you’re in growth mode or managing costs, your benefits should support your business goals and financial health.
  • Partnership: Leverage expert partners—brokers, consultants, and solution providers—to stay ahead of industry trends, compliance changes, and employee needs. These relationships are key to benchmarking, data analytics, and creative plan design.
  • System & Process: Build robust processes for data gathering, compliance, and—most importantly—communication. A strategic communication plan ensures employees know what’s available and how to use it, driving engagement and maximizing ROI.

Reducing Risk & Cost While Expanding Offerings

Our webinar conversation centered around how building a strategic benefits toolkit with partners like freshbenies can help employers:

  • Reduce risk by staying compliant and avoiding costly claims.
  • Lower costs through smarter plan design, cost transparency, and incentives for high-quality care.
  • Expand offerings with tools that support employee health, access to care (especially in rural areas), and financial wellness.

Care navigation, health advocacy, and telehealth are important benefit offerings you do not want to overlook—these are services that remove barriers and empower employees to make informed decisions. These aren’t just “nice-to-haves”—they’re essential for managing population health, controlling claims, attracting and retaining top talent.

The Power of Strategic Partnerships

This is where partners like freshbenies come in. Their platform bundles advocacy, telehealth (including behavioral health, physical therapy, and virtual primary care), prescription savings, and more—all designed to cut healthcare confusion and costs. By integrating these solutions, employers can:

  • Expand benefit offerings without huge cost increases
  • Provide fast, affordable access to care—including mental health—to both employees and their families
  • Support non-benefited and part-time employees, driving retention and satisfaction

Mandy’s advice: Don’t wait for another year of double-digit renewals or rising out-of-pocket costs. Strategic cost-containment tools can help you rebalance your plan, maintain budget, and deliver real value to your team.

Communication Is Key

Even the best benefit programs fall short without a strong communication toolkit. From interactive guides and targeted email campaigns to benefit fairs and wellness events, ongoing education is critical. Employees need easy access to information and support—especially during open enrollment.

HumCap: Your Strategic HR Partner

As open enrollment season arrives, HumCap is here to help you navigate the complexities of HR and benefits. Whether you need guidance on plan design, communication strategies, or introductions to trusted partners like freshbenies, our team is ready to support you.

Don’t wait—now is the time to engage. Reach out to HumCap for expert advice and resources to make this open enrollment your most successful yet.