DOL Publishes Model CHIP Notice

On February 4, 2010, the Department of Labor ("DOL") published a model notice ("CHIP Notice") for use by employers to comply with certain notice requirements under the Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009 ("CHIPRA").

CHIPRA requires the CHIP Notice to be provided to employees eligible for coverage under an insured or self-insured group health plan in any of the 40 states that provide group health plan premium assistance under Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program ("CHIP"). The CHIP Notice informs an employee of the opportunities currently available in the state in which the employee resides, for assistance with group health plan premium payments. Employers with employees in any one of the 40 states are required to comply with the notice requirement, regardless of the employer's location or principal place of business.