Health Care Enforcement

Local Government>Friend of the Court>Health Care Expenses

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Dear Parent:
The enforcement of health care expenses is a part of child support enforcement. The information contained in this packet will provide you with a basic working knowledge of your rights and responsibilities regarding medical child support. You should familiarize yourself with your Court orders and with the information in this packet.

Parents should discuss health care procedures and the costs for any procedures for the minor child with each other. Parents should keep each other informed of doctors appointments and all medications that a child is taking

If your child does not have health insurance, we have enclosed some information and 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 cannot afford insurance through their employment. Information about Medicaid (also known as Healthy Kids) has also been included in this packet. If you do not need this information, please pass it along to a friend or family member who may be able to use it.

If you do have insurance for your children, you are required to provide the Friend of the Court Office and the other parent with your current insurance information. Insurance information should be provided directly from one parent to the other; do not ask the Friend of the Court Office to be the go-between for you and the other parent.

Should there be any change in health insurance coverage, you must inform the Friend of the Court Office and the other parent, in writing. Most Court orders require that health care coverage be maintained, or 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 if neither parent is unable to purchase health insurance at a reasonable cost, then neither party is required to purchase health care insurance. However, all uninsured health care costs will be apportioned between the parties in accordance with the medical percentage split established by the Court. From time to time you may also receive a notice to provide insurance information so that we can update your file.

The medical percentage split is based on the percentage of each parent’s income to the parents’ combined income. The medical percentage to be paid by each parent can be found in your Court Order or Judgment.

Ideally, both parties should work together in making your children’s medical decisions. In terms of routine medical care, the physical custodial parent typically bears that responsibility and the Friend of the Court will not second-guess those decisions

Please take the time to read through this informational packet and keep it for future reference. Remember this is general information that pertains to most cases. If there is a conflict between your written Order and the information contained here, your Order will prevail. Otherwise, please write to the Friend of the Court Office if you have any further questions or concerns.

Health Care Enforcement

Special Note Regarding Braces and Orthodontia

Medical Support Information Sheet

Instructions for Demand of Health Care Expenses

Demand for Health Care Expenses Worksheet

This page last updated on 10/22/2007.