--- title: HHS opens special exchange enrollment for COBRA beneficiaries—One of 3 things you need to know this week in employee benefits | Segal Benz description: We read the news so you don't have to! Here are our top picks in employee benefits news this week. image: https://segalbenz.com/hubfs/sb-blog-default-feature_r01vQ-1-1200x680.png --- ![sb-blog-default-banner_r01vP-1-2000x1134](https://segalbenz.com/hs-fs/hubfs/sb-blog-default-banner_r01vP-1-2000x1134.png?width=300&name=sb-blog-default-banner_r01vP-1-2000x1134.png) [Admin](https://segalbenz.com/blog/author/admin) June 2, 2014 1 min read # HHS opens special exchange enrollment for COBRA beneficiaries—One of 3 things you need to know this week in employee benefits [Previous post ](https://segalbenz.com/blog/join-us-today-part-two-our-benefits-communication-master-class) [Next post ](https://segalbenz.com/blog/friends-will-benefit-your-company) - [**](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?url=https://segalbenz.com/blog/hhs-opens-special-exchange-enrollment-cobra-beneficiaries-one-3-things-you-need-know-week&title=HHS%20opens%20special%20exchange%20enrollment%20for%20COBRA%20beneficiaries—One%20of%203%20things%20you%20need%20to%20know%20this%20week%20in%20employee%20benefits) ### HHS allows COBRA beneficiaries special enrollment period to buy ACA exchange plans The Health and Human Services Department has announced that people who leave their jobs and elect health insurance continuation through COBRA may participate in a [special enrollment period to purchase a plan from an exchange](http://ebn.benefitnews.com/blog/beadvised/cobra-beneficiaries-get-special-enrollment-opportunity-on-aca-exchanges-2741783-1.html?utm_campaign=ebn%20in%20brief-may%2027%202014&utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter&ET=ebnbenefitnews%3Ae2688840%3A3528217a%3A&st=email) under the Affordable Care Act. This announcement comes along with a [new COBRA model notice](https://segalbenz.com/blog/dol-releases-latest-cobra-notice-one-3-things-you-need-know-week-employee-benefits) that includes new language notifying employees that coverage through an exchange may be less expensive than COBRA. [Previously, COBRA beneficiaries were barred from buying exchange plans](https://segalbenz.com/blog/can-fsas-be-used-food-3-things-you-need-know-week-employee-benefits) until the next formal open enrollment period in November. However, HHS has opened the special enrollment period runs now through July 1. ### Most consumers say they’re unaffected by ACA A new Kaiser Tracking Poll reveals that the majority (60%) of Americans say [the Affordable Care Act has had no direct impact on their lives](http://kff.org/health-reform/poll-finding/kaiser-health-tracking-poll-may-2014/). However, among those who report an impact, more say the law has hurt them (24%) than helped (14%). Those hurt by ACA most often say it’s because the law increased their health care costs (14%), made it more difficult for them to get care (3%) or caused a family member to lose coverage (2%). Those helped by the law cite it allowed a family member to get or keep coverage (5%), made it easier for them to get care (4%) or lowered their health care costs (3%). This month, 45% of Americans view ACA unfavorably, a percentage Kaiser Family Foundation reports is largely unchanged since March. ### This week’s hidden gem: 4 reasons *not* to retire at 65 An article this week in U.S. News offers [four reasons that Americans shouldn’t retire at age 65](http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/planning-to-retire/2014/05/28/the-perils-of-retirement-at-age-65).  So, why not hang it up and ride off into the sunset at 65? Two main reasons: Most Americans won’t qualify for full Social Security benefits until age 67, and retiring at 65 shrinks the window during which they can enroll in Medicare. Read the other two reasons in U.S. News. ### Work with Us We partner with organizations that value their people first. [Let’s talk.](https://segalbenz.com/contact-us-form?hsLang=en) [Admin](https://segalbenz.com/blog/author/admin) ![Lenovo client story banner](https://segalbenz.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Lenovo-tile-770x770-1.png?width=400&height=400&name=Lenovo-tile-770x770-1.png) Client Stories Learn how we help our clients achieve results. [ Go to client stories ](https://segalbenz.com/client-stories) Sign Up for Our Email Stay up to date with the latest in HR and benefits communications. [ Subscribe now ](https://segalbenz.com/email-alert-signup-form) Resources on Demand Check out our library of resources—free to download! [ Explore resources ](https://segalbenz.com/resources)