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 into the Michigan Child Support Enforcement System (MiCSES).
If this information is not entered, a National Medical Support Notice (NMSN) will be automatically generated to the employer whenever new employment information is obtained for either parent. 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.
National Medical Support Notice (NMSN)
If your order requires that you maintain health insurance for your child and it is available through your employer, you must provide such coverage even if you have to pay a premium, provided that the premium is determined to be a “reasonable cost” under the provisions of state and federal law. If the amount being paid for child support, childcare and your portion of the healthcare premium exceed 50% of your wages after taxes, union dues and/or uniform charges, the cost is considered unreasonable. If the amount you would be required to pay for healthcare insurance premiums exceeds five (6%) percent of your gross income, that is also considered to be unreasonable.
If coverage is not maintained through the parent’s employer and coverage is available, a National Medical Support Notice (NMSN) will be mailed to the employer with a copy to each parent. This is required by federal law. The NMSN requires the employer to enroll the children listed on the form for all insurance types available. If there is a cost for insurance coverage a parent must pay. The employer must tell the FOC what the cost is, along with other information regarding the coverage.
If the employer determines that the employee’s wages do not allow the enrollment of the children on the available insurance, the employer must provide documentation to the FOC. If the employer does not deem the insurance cost to be unreasonable but the parent believes the cost is excessive, the parent may write the FOC to object to having to provide the insurance and request a review. The written request must include the date, the case/docket number, be clearly labeled “Insurance Review Request”, and include the basis for the objection and the signature of the objecting parent.
If your court order does not specifically designate whose insurance is primary (is billed first), the insurance carriers will determine this by rules they follow.
NMSN Frequently Asked Questions
Q. The health care insurance offered through my employer is too expensive. Do I still have to provide it?
A. It depends on what your court order says and whether the insurance is available at a "reasonable" cost. Contact the FOC office for assistance.
Q. The other parent is not carrying insurance. What should I do?
A. 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.
