Great-West Healthcare, a national employee benefits provider, today released its employer health savings account (HSA) resource package. Intended to improve employees' understanding and drive enrollment, the package includes an employee readiness survey and an HSA employer resource guide CD. The resource package is useful to employers of all sizes, but is ideal for smaller employers who have limited time and resources to develop their own education and enrollment campaigns.

"HSA implementation is an involved process, but our resource package arms employers with the tools they need to prepare employees for an account-based plan," said Julie McCarter, vice president of product development, Great-West Healthcare. "Communication is key to getting employees enrolled and up to speed on how to use an HSA."

When an employer signs up for an HSA plan, Great-West Healthcare provides the employer with secure access to the online employee readiness survey. Workers begin by answering 21 questions related to consumer-driven health care. The weighted and scored responses tell the employer how ready its workforce is for an HSA and where there may be gaps in preparedness or understanding. The survey score suggests the most appropriate of three member communication plans to guide the company before, during and following enrollment. If workers are far along in understanding and preparedness, the communications plan is less elaborate; if employees have a steep learning curve, the plan includes more in-depth information and a longer lead time for communication. The low, medium and high communication plans are available in a printable calendar format on the CD. Each plan includes an implementation timeline, recommended actions and all the necessary materials.

The CD also contains customizable, printable employer and employee resources. HSA materials for companies include a data sheet, contribution strategy flyer, employer FAQs, implementation presentation, investment disclosure, and communication plans. An employer brochure and employer guide prepared by ACS/Mellon, the trustee for Great-West Healthcare's HAS program, are also included. For employees, the CD includes a CEO letter, enrollment brochure, employee FAQs, enrollment presentation, brown-bag lunch presentation, glossary of terms, benefits signup reminder e-mail (highlighting new HSA option), enrollment form disclosure, and HSA contribution form. All employee resources are available in English and Spanish.

For access to the employee survey and a copy of the HSA resource package CD, please send an e-mail to tracey.budz@gwl.com and include contact name and address.