DOL Updates CHIP Notice for Compliance—What Employers Need to Know

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has released an updated model notice for Premium Assistance under Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). This notice, effective July 31, 2026, includes a revised list of states with eligible programs and is set to expire on May 31, 2029. The DOL typically updates this notice twice annually, indicating potential future updates before the expiration date.

Employers offering group health plans in states with Medicaid or CHIP premium assistance must distribute the CHIP Notice to eligible employees. To simplify regulatory compliance, some employers opt to disseminate the notice to all employees, thus reducing the administrative burden of identifying state-specific residents.

The CHIP Notice should be provided free to employees annually and can be included in annual notices packets, ensuring it remains a distinct document. Employers who have already distributed the notice for the current plan year are not required to resend the updated version to those employees. However, new hires, special enrollees, and participants in open enrollment should receive the latest notice. For further guidance, employers can reach out to the Brown & Brown team for comprehensive compliance support. The updated CHIP Notice is accessible in both English and Spanish on the Department of Labor's website.