Medicaid/CHIP premium assistance resources: new notice available

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) recently issued a model notice for employers to use in notifying employees about group health plan premium assistance available under state Medicaid programs or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), as required by the Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009. Employers must give the notice to all employees, regardless of whether they are enrolled in the health plan, if the employee resides in a state in which Medicaid or CHIP premium assistance is available. California, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington all have these kinds of premium assistance programs. The notice must be given to all employees by the later of: the first day of the first plan year after February 4, 2010 or May 1, 2010, and annually thereafter.