The Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009 (CHIPRA), which President Obama signed into law last February, requires employers who maintain group health plans to inform employees of potential opportunities currently available in the state in which the employee resides for premium assistance under a state Medicaid plan or state Child Health Insurance Plan (CHIP).
Employers must distribute the required notice to employees by either May 1, 2010, or the beginning of the first plan year that starts after February 4, 2010, whichever is later.
The U.S. Department of Labor’s model notice can be found at www.dol.gov/ebsa/. For more information on CHIPRA, visit www.insurekidsnow.gov/.