Medical Enforcement
The enforcement of medical expenses is a very complicated part of child support enforcement. It generates many questions that are not always easy to answer. The questions addressed on this site represent only a few that our office must address on a daily basis. Friend of the Court staff will work with both parents to insure that appropriate procedures are followed. We will review with you the reasons for our actions. Whether or not you agree with the action/decision, it is important that you understand it. We answer these questions only when the parents do not or cannot agree. No one is in a better position to make those decisions than, you, the parents. Our judgment is a poor second to that of two concerned and cooperative parents acting in the interests of their children. I strongly encourage you to keep these important medical issues in the best possible hands. Ideally, both parties should work together in making your children's medical decisions. In term of routine medical care, the custodial parent typically bears that responsibility and the Friend of the Court will not second-guess those decisions. If the parties cannot agree, the Friend of the Court will do its best to resolve those issues based on the facts and circumstances of each case. You may bring the matter before the FOC Referee or Judge assigned to your case. If the two of you are able to work with one another in a productive way, congratulations! Your children are truly blessed. Please take the time to read through this information. If you have questions or concerns please feel free to contact Carrie Gonzales at (989) 895-4295 ext. 3146.
MIChild Insurance Information
If your child(ren) do not have health insurance, below please find a link for an application to the State of Michigan's MICHILD program for you to consider. MICHILD is a health insurance program offered by the County Health Department for working families that do not qualify for Medicaid benefits, and do not have or can not afford insurance through their employment. If you do have insurance for your children please provide the Friend of the Court Office with your current insurance information so that your file may updated. You may then forward the MICHILD information on to a family member or friend that could benefit from the program.
MIChild Application.
Health Insurance Requirements
Should there be any change in health insurance coverage, you must inform the Friend of the Court office in writing. Currently the law requires that health care coverage shall be maintained, or coverage shall be obtained and maintained by both parties if available at a reasonable cost as a benefit of employment or as an optional coverage for dependents on a policy already obtained. Should neither parent have health care coverage as a benefit of employment or they are unable to purchase same at a reasonable cost; then neither party is required to obtain health care insurance. However all health care costs would be apportioned between the parties in accordance with the medical percentage split established. From time to time you may also receive a notice to provide insurance information so that we can update your file, this is a requirement of both State and Federal Regulations.
National Medical Support Notice
Federal and state law now require that the friend of the court notify parents' employers to enroll the dependent children in health care coverage (medical insurance). The law requires employers to honor medical support orders established under State law.
When medical support is ordered, the Friend of the Court will send a Notice of Order for Dependent Health Care Coverage to the employer along with instructions for complying with the order. The notice:
Is sent when an order is established and whenever the parents change employment.
Directs an employer who has a family health care coverage option available to the parent who is an employee to enroll the children from this court case.
Takes immediate effect.
Will be sent to the parent's current and subsequent employers.
May be contested by requesting an administrative review by the friend of the court, but only on the basis of whether or not the health care coverage is available at a reasonable cost. Note: There is no need to contest if the employer does not provide coverage or if the children are already enrolled in the employer's family health care program.
Requires the parents be notified of the enrollment and advise the custodial parent of the coverage and how to use it.
The National Medical Support Notice and Instructions are available upon request from the friend of the court, or may be viewed online at http://www.acf.dhhs.gov/programs/cse/pol/at-01-02a.pdf
Uninsured Medical Expenses
The medical percentage split established in your divorce judgement is listed under the Health Care paragraph in your Final Order. This is based on a prorata percentage of both parties incomes.
Click here for instructions to obtain medical reimbursement for your children's uninsured medical expenses. The FOC13, FOC13a and Continuation page stated in the instructions can be found in the forms section of the Friend of the Court home page.