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Health Benefits Advisor for Employers

Determining Compliance with the HIPAA Provisions in Part 7 of ERISA

Compliance with the Special Enrollment Provisions - CHIPRA

Does the plan provide full special enrollment rights as required under CHIPRA?

Under the following conditions a group health plan must allow an employee or dependent (who is otherwise eligible) to enroll, regardless of any late enrollment provisions, if enrollment is requested within 60 days:

  • When an employee or dependent's Medicaid or CHIP coverage is terminated. When an employee or dependent is covered under a Medicaid plan under title XIX of the Social Security Act or under a State child health plan under title XXI of the Social Security Act and coverage of the employee or dependent is terminated as a result of loss of eligibility, a group health plan must allow special enrollment. The employee or dependent must request special enrollment within 60 days after the date of termination of Medicaid or CHIP coverage. See ERISA section 701(f)(3).
  • Upon Eligibility for Employment Assistance under Medicaid or CHIP. When an employee or dependent becomes eligible for assistance, with respect to coverage under the group health plan or health insurance coverage under a Medicaid plan or State CHIP plan, the group health plan must allow special enrollment. The employee or dependent must request special enrollment within 60 days after the employee or dependent is determined to be eligible for assistance. See ERISA section 701(f)(3).

NOTE: In addition, employers that maintain a group health plan in a state with a CHIP or Medicaid program that provides for premium assistance for group health plan coverage must provide a notice of eligibility (referred to as the Employer CHIP Notice) to each employee to inform them of possible opportunities available in the state in which they reside for premium assistance for health coverage of employees or dependents. A model notice is available at www.dol.gov/ebsa.