BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

HighRoads, the industry leader in employer health care regulation compliance and benefits management, today shared eight tips for employees as they navigate their annual employer benefits open enrollment period. Following these simple steps may save employees hundreds of dollars on their health care costs while ensuring that they make the most of their benefit plan programs.

Employers are making more changes than ever to their benefits plan designs and as a result employees need to take extra precautions to assure that they have the benefits coverage they expect, for a price they can afford, during this years open enrollment period, said Cynthia Weidner, vice president H&W consulting, HighRoads. This is the time for employees, retirees and their families to consider all of their options, including health savings accounts and wellness programs, to make the most of their benefits while minimizing out of pocket costs for the year to come.

Now that the Supreme Court has upheld the Affordable Care Act (ACA), employees will see some changes in their annual open enrollment benefits materials. For many employees this will include the addition of a Summary of Benefits and Coverage (SBC) document. SBCs are benefit plan summaries that are intended to benefit employees by creating clear, understandable and straightforward information on what health plans will cover, what limitations or conditions will apply, and what they will pay for, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

However, reading the SBC alone may not provide employees with everything they need to make informed decisions during open enrollment. Following these eight tips can help to eliminate an employees risk of unexpected plan changes or cost increases:

1. Get your plan materials Pay attention to how your employer is making your SBCs and the traditional Summary Plan Descriptions (SPDs) available to you. Many are making them more accessible online, via mobile apps as well as on paper. Its good to know how you can access this information during open enrollment and throughout the year, in case you want to review it again when you are in need of a particular medical service.

2. Do your homework Take the time during open enrollment to truly read through your plan materials, including the SBCs and SPDs, to make yourself familiar with each of your plan options. Reading each of these materials will give you the detailed plan descriptions you need to decide on the best plan for you and your family in the coming year.

3. Calculate your costs Many employers provide cost calculators to help project your total cost for the coming plan year. The total cost includes the premium you pay as well as your share of the deductible and coinsurance. Take the time during open enrollment to think through your potential medical needs and calculate your anticipated expenses before selecting a plan. It may save you hundreds in the long run.

4. Consider an account If your employer offers you the option of a healthcare account, whether it is a flexible spending account (FSA), a health reimbursement account (HRA) or a health savings account (HSA), take a good look at it. These accounts can help you save money on qualified medical expenses that arent covered by your health care plan, such as deductibles and coinsurance. Each account has a different set of rules about how and when you can spend the money, but each are worth considering because the savings youll see can add up quickly.

5. Ask if you have a grandfathered plan. One of the benefits of health care reform is an extended list of preventive care benefits that must be offered by new health care plans for free. Preventive services such as colonoscopy screenings for colon cancer, Pap smears and mammograms for women, well-child visits, and flu shots for all children and adults must be offered without out-of-pocket costs. However, these benefits are only for new health plans and dont apply to grandfathered plans that havent significantly changed in a few years. Find out if your plan is considered to be grandfathered and identify exactly what preventive services are covered for free.

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Eight Tips for Participants of Employer Sponsored Health Insurance During Open Enrollment