Friend of the Court
Health Care Enforcement
The FOC office is mandated to enforce court orders regarding health care issues in two ways.
They are:
- Obtaining health insurance information as required by the court order, and
- Processing and collecting on health care expenses for children not covered by insurance pursuant to the order.
Health Insurance Information
All domestic relation orders are required to have a provision for health care that addresses who is responsible for providing insurance for the children. Often, the provision states that both parties are responsible as long as insurance is available to the parent at reasonable cost through his or her place of employment, or an individual policy. If insurance is being carried on the children, the FOC needs to know the name and address of the insurance carrier, the group number, and date that it became effective. This information will be entered on the computer. Without this information, there is automatic enforcement where the computer generates a National Medical Support Notice (NMSN) to the employer whenever new employment information is obtained for either parent. The employer is then required to advise the FOC if the child is enrolled in insurance, what the insurance is, or whether insurance is available. The employer is further advised to automatically enroll the child for insurance if available at a reasonable cost. To avoid the involvement of the employer, the parents must report this information directly to the FOC as well as any changes that occur in coverage.
Health Care Expenses Not Covered by Insurance
Enforcement of Heathcare FAQs
The other parent is not carrying insurance. What can I do?
First, read your court order to make sure there is a provision requiring the other parent to provide insurance, then contact the FOC in writing requesting that this information be obtained. The FOC will then initiate enforcement of the order.
We have an agreement that is different than the health care provision in our order. Should we do anything about that?
Yes. Even though the FOC encourages agreement and cooperation, it is important to change your order to reflect what you are doing. Simply contact the Health Care Unit and an appointment will be scheduled for both of the parents to attend a meeting. The Health Care case manager will assist you in the preparation of a stipulation and order modifying the previous court order.
I think that the health care insurance offered through my employer is too expensive. Do I still have to provide it?
This depends on what your court order says and whether the insurance is at a "reasonable" cost. In Kent County, reasonable cost is defined as 6% of your gross income. Once you have contacted the FOC, the Health Care Unit will communicate with your employer to make the determination whether you must provide insurance or not. This information will then be shared with you.
I prefer to pay the service provider rather than going through the FOC. Is that possible?
You have 28 days to work out arrangements with the payee of support before the claim can be submitted though the FOC. However, once submitted and processed through the FOC, you must pay through the FOC.
What if I receive the claim from the payee of support and I have already paid the provider my share?
You should immediately contact the payee of support and advise because they may not be aware that you have made the payment. If you still get a request for reimbursement form from the FOC office for this service, contact the office immediately and submit proof that you have paid your share to the service provider.