Table of Contents

1. What about health insurance?
2. Who is responsible for providing health insurance for the child/ren?
3. What if the individual ordered to provide coverage has no coverage available through his/her employer?
4. Do I have the right to contest medical enforcement?
5. What if I currently have insurance in place for the child/ren?
6. Am I entitled to a credit against my child support obligation for providing health insurance to the child/ren?
7. Can my current spouse or relative provide insurance for my child/ren on my case, and if they do can I get a credit for the cost?
8. Can I get reimbursed for medical cost (for the child/ren) not covered by insurance?
9. What is the National Medical Support Notice (NMSN)?
10. When is the NMSN sent to employers?
11. Are employers and health plan administrators required to comply?
12. How often does CSED verify the availability of health insurance for the child/ren?

1. What about health insurance?

Many child support orders require individuals to provide health insurance for their child/ren and requires the employer to enroll the employee’s children in the company’s health insurance program, with the employee to pay his or her share of the costs.  CSED is tasked with the enforcement of medical support as well as child support. When health insurance is required in the child support order, child support agencies will send out a National Medical Support Notice also known as an NMSN.

2. Who is responsible for providing health insurance for the child/ren?

Both parents are responsible to make sure the child(ren) have health care coverage.  When a child support order is created, medical support is included.  Many child support orders now require either or both parents to provide health insurance. CSED will attempt to enforce medical against the paying parent, unless the custodial parent has been order to provide the health insurance or we are notified of medical insurance that is already in place for the child.

3. What if the person ordered to provide coverage has no coverage available through the employer?

Although the child support order may order an individual to provide health insurance , many employers do not have medical insurance and CSED needs to know that. 

However, most child support orders have a provision that indicate if health insurance becomes available to a parent (custodial or noncustodial), that parent must purchase the insurance, and report this change immediately to CSED with supporting documentation. This means that CSED will enforce medical coverage against the parent who has medical insurance available to them.

4.  Do I have the right to contest medical enforcement?

Yes. When CSED issues a NMSN to your employer you will receive a notice informing you of this action.  This notice allows you the opportunity to contest this action.  Read the notice carefully and make sure you provide CSED with all the required documentation within the specified time period.

5.  What if I currently have insurance in place for the child/ren?

 You, your employer or the Insurance Company must provide CSED with the following documentation:

• Confirmation the children are covered and the effective date of coverage
• Copy of the insurance card for the eligible child/ren.
• Insurance providers name, address and phone number
• Policy number and any required identification numbers
• Names of all persons covered on the policy
• Confirmation from the employer or insurer of the total cost of coverage for policy holder, spouse, children and other dependents to include the employee only rates, as well as the cost to add additional family members to the policy.

6.  Am I entitled to a credit against my child support obligation for providing Health Insurance to the child/ren?

If you are providing health care coverage for your children through your employer, your spouse’s employer or private insurance and this coverage is made available to the child, we may be able to credit up to 50% of that cost to the monthly child support you owe IF your support order allows for credit.  If the support order authorizes a different percentage or credit amount, we will use that amount. Before CSED can determine the credit, CSED must verify that coverage is in place and the cost for the child/ren’s coverage.  If you are requesting credit, the following information is needed: 

• Confirmation the children are covered and the effective date of coverage
• Copy of the insurance card for the eligible child/ren.
• Insurance providers name, address and phone number
• Policy number and any required identification numbers
• Names of all persons covered
• Confirmation from the employer or insurer of the total cost of coverage for policy holder, spouse, children and other dependents to include the employee only rates, as well as the cost to add additional family members to the policy.

7. Can my current spouse or relative provide insurance for the child/ren on my case, and if they do can I get a credit for the cost?

Yes, however, you must provide CSED with the following documentation:

• Confirmation the children are covered and the effective date of coverage
• Copy of the insurance card for the eligible child/ren.
• Insurance providers name, address and phone number
• Policy number and any required identification numbers
• Names of all persons covered on the policy
• Confirmation from the employer or insurer of the total cost of coverage for policy holder, spouse, children and other dependents to include the employee only rates, as well as the cost to add additional family members to the policy.
  

8.  How can I get reimbursed for medical cost (for the child/ren) not covered by insurance?

If either parent pays medical expenses that are not covered by the child's insurance, these are called "out of pocket or uncovered medical expenses ".  In order for CSED to give credit for these types of payments, you need to get a judgement from the court.  For more information on how to pursue a judgement, please call the Family Law Self Help Center at (907) 264-0851 or (866) 279-0851.  

9. What is the National Medical Support Notice (NMSN)?

The National Medical Support Notice (NMSN) is a two-part notice sent to an employer from CSED.  This notice is used nationwide to ensure that children receive health care coverage when it’s available and required as a part of a child support order, and to simplify the work required of employers and Health Plan Administrators by providing uniform documents for health care coverage. 

10. When is the NMSN sent to employers?

The NMSN is sent when a child support order requires the non-custodial parent (or custodial parent) to provide health care coverage.

11.  Are employers and Health Plan Administrators required to comply?

 Yes.  The federal government requires the use of the NMSN in all states and territories.  Employers are familiar with the form and provide full cooperation.

12. How often does CSED verify the availability of health insurance for the child/ren?

If CSED records indicate health insurance is being provided, CSED requires this information be verified annually. (CSED will send out notices to verify this information).  If CSED does not have health insurance information, CSED will send notices every six months until health insurance is provided for the child/ren.