SHOP offers enrollment holiday

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services says agents and brokers have an incentive to help small employers jump into the public exchanges early.

Employers that sign up for Small Business Health Options Program plans during an annual special enrollment period — from Nov. 15 through Dec. 15 — can get coverage without meeting the standard 70 percent employee participation minimum.

CMS mentioned the special enrollment period provision in a fact sheet for exchange agents and brokers who will help employers enroll.