Today, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued guidance on special enrollment periods (SEP) when a consumer has coverage under COBRA. Specifically, CMS addressed the issue of what constitutes a “hardship” for purposes of receiving a SEP. Additionally, for consumers who are presently enrolled in a plan through COBRA, CMS has granted a SEP for 60 days (or until July 1, 2014) to enroll in a qualified health plan through the marketplace. To read the guidance, click here.