by: Naomi Whatley | October 12th, 2026

For California public agencies, open enrollment is more than an annual administrative task. It's an opportunity to evaluate whether your agency's benefits program continues to support both your workforce and your organizational goals.

Here at GSRMA, we make open enrollment and choosing how best to support your employees as smooth of a process for our Members as possible. Below is just a short list of what you can expect and will experience:

• Purchasing power of a large entity through shared-risk approach
• Pooling stability and equitable renewals
• Offering Regional vs. Age Banded Rates
• Medicare Retiree rates, Administration and Coordination of Care
• COBRA Administration; 1095B Form tracking and delivery

In addition, participants have a dedicated, single point of contact, who will:

• Advocate as a direct liaison between you and carriers
• Provide in-house customer service - assists with change requests and enrollments
• Offer claims advocacy
• Administer In-house Billing

As enrollment season is on us, here are five common mistakes agencies can avoid to create a smoother process and better outcomes.

1) Waiting Too Long to Start Planning

Many agencies wait until renewal rates arrive before discussing benefits strategy. Starting early gives HR, finance, and leadership teams time to review options, evaluate priorities, and prepare employee communications before deadlines begin approaching. We are happy to chat with you about proper planning well in advance of open enrollment, just reach out.

2) Focusing Only on Premium Costs

While premium increases naturally attract attention, they shouldn't be the only factor driving decisions. A lower-cost plan may result in higher out-of-pocket expenses for employees, while maintaining the status quo may cause agencies to miss opportunities for improvement.

GSRMA partners with PRISM (Public Risk Innovation, Solutions, and Management) to provide employee benefits for public agencies and having a voice on the committees that have oversight over the programs is a real advantage for our membership.

3) Overlooking Existing Benefits and Resources

Many health plans include resources that employees may not fully utilize, such as Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs), telehealth services, wellness tools, and preventive care programs. As your advocate and direct liaison, reach out to us and see what services and added-value resources are available to start helping you and your employees today.

4) Assuming Employees Understand Their Options

Benefits terminology can be confusing. Terms like PPO, HMO, deductible, and out-of-pocket maximum may be familiar to benefits professionals, but not necessarily to employees making important healthcare decisions.

Clear communication, simple educational materials, and opportunities for questions can help employees make informed choices and reduce confusion throughout the enrollment process. Check out these documents on our Employee Benefits program page to help start the conversation: one-page guide  and 2026 summary brochure.

5) Treating Open Enrollment as a Transaction

The most successful agencies view open enrollment as a strategic workforce initiative rather than simply a yearly requirement.

Employee benefits play a key role in recruitment, retention, wellness, and employee satisfaction. We are here to help you find out if GSRMA Employee Benefits services are a good match for you and your employees’ health and employee benefits needs.

Looking Ahead

A successful open enrollment season starts with preparation. By planning early, evaluating more than just premiums, educating employees, and taking a strategic approach, public agencies can avoid common pitfalls and create a better experience for everyone involved.  The decisions made during open enrollment can affect employees throughout the year. Investing time in the process today can help build a healthier, more informed, and more engaged workforce tomorrow.

Have additional questions? Call us at (530) 934-5633 or email empben@gsrma.org. How can we help you?