Open Enrollment Coming Soon? 15 SMS Templates to Notify Your Employees

Open enrollment coming soon? If you’re in HR or benefits administration, you know how fast those weeks fly by. Without a clear and direct communication plan, many employees may miss what you have for them. 

Especially when most employees don’t sit at a desk all day, they won’t catch your emails or intranet posts in time. That’s where SMS steps in—quick, visible, and almost impossible to ignore.

In this blog, you’ll find practical, ready-to-send SMS templates, expert tips, and a simple plan to keep your people informed from start to finish. Whether you are managing a healthcare team, construction crew, or retail staff, this guide is built for you. Keep reading! 

Why SMS Is the Ideal Channel for Open Enrollment Communication

If open enrollment is coming soon and you are thinking about communication gaps, you’re not alone. Reaching every employee on time is a real challenge, especially in industries where many people aren’t sitting at desks. That’s where SMS proves its value.  

Text messages have a 98% open rate, making them one of the most reliable ways to reach your team. Unlike emails that get buried in cluttered inboxes, SMS alerts appear right on employees’ phones. Most people read a text within minutes of receiving it.  

For non-desk workers like technicians, warehouse staff, and field crews, SMS is a smarter, faster choice. These employees may miss emails, memos, or intranet announcements, but they won’t miss a simple text. If open enrollment updates require fast action, you need a tool that’s impossible to ignore. 

With SMS, you can send: 

• Instant reminders about enrollment start and end dates  
• Same-day alerts for benefits info sessions 
• Quick deadline warnings to avoid missed enrollments 
• Confirmation messages when selections are complete  

This real-time communication means no one’s left guessing about when to act. A short, clear text can save hours of back-and-forth and reduce last-minute scrambles. 

Platforms like Udext make this process simple. You can broadcast messages to employee groups, schedule important alerts in advance, and track who received what. Two-way messaging even lets employees text back if they have quick questions, which is perfect as open enrollment coming soon means time-sensitive updates. 

When it comes to making sure every employee gets the message, SMS consistently delivers. 

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Start with a Solid Communication Plan 

Amidst open enrollment updates, a clear plan will save you time and stress. Waiting until the last minute often leads to missed messages and confusion. Starting early keeps everyone on track and reduces avoidable delays. 

A well-timed communication plan ensures every employee knows what’s coming, what to do, and when to act. When you plan ahead, you control the message instead of reacting to problems later. 

Here are the key milestones you should plan for: 

• Initial announcement: Let employees know open enrollment is official. Send a quick SMS to grab attention. 
• Benefits explanation sessions: Share dates for info sessions where employees can ask questions and learn about new options. 
• Enrollment start and end dates: Set clear deadlines for submitting selections. Use SMS to remind employees as these dates approach. 
• Documentation deadlines: Give employees a heads-up about any forms or paperwork they need to submit.  

Using SMS templates at each stage keeps communication fast, clear, and consistent. You can schedule these messages in advance with Udext, so no critical announcement gets forgotten. Pre-written templates also help you stay organized while reducing repetitive work. Give Udext a try>> 

For example, send a “Heads up!” text two weeks before enrollment starts. Follow with a benefits info session invite. Then, issue reminders as deadlines approach. Each message builds awareness and keeps employees informed without overwhelming them. 

When open enrollment coming soon means tight schedules, having SMS templates ready makes your job easier. 

Next, let’s look at 15 ready-to-use SMS templates you can start sending today.  

15 Ready-to-Use SMS Templates to Notify Your Employees

When open enrollment means tighter schedules and busy shifts, having reliable, pre-written messages helps you stay organized. SMS templates save time and reduce the chance of missing important updates. You can use these templates across different phases of your enrollment period. Here’s how to group and use them effectively. 

Pre-Enrollment Announcements (Awareness & Preparation)

A quick heads-up reduces surprises. It gives employees time to think about their choices. Text messages ensure non-desk staff stay in the loop. Use these messages when you first want to grab attention and start building awareness. Send them about two weeks before open enrollment begins. 

• “Heads up! Open enrollment is coming soon. Watch for updates on your 2025 benefits.” 
• “Get ready! Benefits enrollment opens next week. Stay tuned for more info.” 
• “Need help understanding your options? We’ll send out info sessions soon.”  

Enrollment Start Notifications

When open enrollment is here, your team needs clear direction. A timely SMS helps avoid missed starts or delayed sign-ups. Send these on the first day of open enrollment. They’re meant to create urgency and prompt immediate action. 

• “Open enrollment starts today! Log in or visit HR to make your selections by [Date].” 
• “Today’s the day! Enroll in your 2025 benefits now. Deadline: [Date].” 
• “Ready to enroll? It only takes a few minutes—don’t wait!”  

Deadline Reminders 

Deadlines can easily slip by. Quick texts cut through distractions, especially for employees working off-site or in the field. Use these messages as the enrollment deadlines approach. Send them at 3 days, 2 days, and on the final day to keep benefits top of mind. 

• “Reminder: Open enrollment ends in 3 days! Submit your benefits choices by [Date].” 
• “2 days left! Complete your enrollment before it closes on [Date].” 
• “Final reminder: Today’s the last day to enroll in your 2025 benefits.”  

Info Session Invitations & Resources

Send these when you’re offering resources or Q&A sessions. Use them to drive participation and answer employee questions. 

• “Join our virtual benefits Q&A on [Date/Time]. Text back ‘JOIN’ to RSVP.” 
• “Confused about benefits? Stop by the info booth in the break room today!” 
• “View your 2025 benefits guide here: [Link]” 

Clear, actionable invites increase attendance. Udext’s broadcast and two-way messaging features make RSVPs and responses simple to track. 

Confirmation & Follow-Up

Confirmation texts close the loop. They offer peace of mind and keep lines of communication open after open enrollment has passed. After open enrollment closes, confirm enrollments and offer support to anyone who missed the deadline. 

• “Thanks for enrolling! Your 2025 benefits are confirmed. Questions? Contact HR.” 
• “Still have questions? HR is available this week to assist. Text HELP for info.” 
• “Did you miss the deadline? Contact HR ASAP to review your options.”   

Now that you have ready-to-send messages, let’s take a look at a few smart ways to manage and deliver them effectively. 

Tips for Using SMS Effectively During Open Enrollment

Text alerts work best when you’re clear, direct, and timely. If open enrollment announcements are on your radar, now’s the time to tighten your messaging strategy. Use these proven tips to get the most from your employee SMS updates. 

Keep Messages Concise and Action-Oriented 

Your employees are busy. Long, cluttered texts won’t get read. Stick to simple, action-focused language. Let them know what’s happening and what they should do next. 

For example: 

“Open enrollment starts today. Enroll by Friday: [Link]” 

Employees should never have to guess the point of your message. When open enrollment coming soon alerts go out, clarity drives faster responses. 

Use Clear Deadlines and Links When Needed 

Deadlines create urgency. Always include specific dates in your SMS reminders. If there's a benefits guide or enrollment portal, link it directly in your message. 

You can send texts like: 

“2 days left to enroll in 2025 benefits. Submit here: [Link]” 

This cuts down on back-and-forth questions and boosts compliance. Employees appreciate having important links right at their fingertips. 

Enable Two-Way Messaging for Quick Questions 

During open enrollment, expect questions. Make it easy for employees to reply to your messages. Udext’s two-way messaging feature lets HR respond directly to inquiries by text. 

It’s especially useful for non-desk workers who may not have access to email. If open enrollment reminders spark questions, your team can address them fast. 

For example:

“Questions about benefits? Text HELP and we’ll get back to you today.” 

This keeps your workforce informed and engaged throughout the enrollment window. 

Schedule Messages in Advance with Udext

Don’t leave messages at the last minute. Open enrollment alerts, deadlines, and session invites should be pre-scheduled. Udext lets you plan and send SMS updates ahead of time, so no key moment is missed. 

This is crucial when managing large, mobile, or shift-based teams. Automating reminders means consistent communication without extra work for your HR staff.  You can schedule an initial announcement, mid-week reminder, and final day alert all at once. This way you’ll keep enrollment top of mind without scrambling each day. 

Next, let’s see how Udext supports you in streamlining open enrollment communication for every phase.  

How Udext Supports Seamless Open Enrollment Communication

Udext helps HR teams manage time-sensitive employee messaging with ease. If open enrollment coming soon alerts are on your calendar, having the right tools matters. Here’s how Udext keeps your open enrollment communication clear, fast, and consistent. 

• Broadcast Messaging to Employee Groups 

Send one message to multiple employee groups at once. Target by department, shift, or job role. Perfect for open enrollment coming soon announcements or last-minute deadline reminders. 

• Scheduling & Automation for Recurring Alerts

Plan your entire open enrollment message schedule in advance. Automate important updates like enrollment start dates, info session invite links, and final deadline reminders. No missed messages, no manual follow-ups. 

• Two-Way Messaging for HR Follow-Ups 

Let employees reply directly to your SMS updates. With two-way messaging, HR can answer quick benefits questions by text. This is ideal for non-desk workers who rarely check email. 

• Delivery Tracking and Reporting 

Know exactly when your messages are delivered and read. Udext’s real-time reporting helps you track open enrollment alerts, deadline notices, and confirmation follow-ups. Adjust your strategy based on response rates. 

Each feature keeps your workforce informed and on time during open enrollment season. See how it works>> 

Conclusion

When open enrollment is coming soon, a clear, timely communication plan makes all the difference. SMS keeps your updates direct, fast, and visible, especially for employees away from desks. With the right messages scheduled and two-way texting in place, you’ll reduce missed deadlines and last-minute confusion. 

Tools like Udext make this simple. From group broadcasts to automated alerts, it’s built to handle your open enrollment needs without slowing you down. When every message counts, you need a system you can trust. 

Ready to improve your open enrollment communication?

Schedule a quick demo with Udext and see how it fits your team’s needs. 

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