DCL-03-40, Department of Labor Booklet on Qualified Medical Child Support Orders, Including National Medical Support Notices

DEAR COLLEAGUE LETTER

DCL-03-40

DATE: October 31, 2003

TO: All State IV-D Directors

RE: Department of Labor Booklet on Qualified Medical Child Support Orders, Including National Medical Support Notices

Dear Colleague:

The Department of Labor (DOL) has promulgated a new Compliance Guide for Qualified Medical Child Support Orders (QMCSOs) to help employers, health plan sponsors, service providers, and state officials understand the health benefits law regarding QMCSOs, including the revisions resulting from the development of the National Medical Support Notice (NMSN).

Generally, a state court or agency may require a health plan administrator to provide health care coverage to children by issuing a medical child support order. The health plan administrator must determine whether the medical child support order is “qualified.” Such an order is referred to as a QMCSO. In addition, a state child support enforcement agency may obtain health care coverage for a child by issuing a NMSN that the health plan administrator determines to be qualified.

The new DOL Guide answers general questions about QMCSOs, NMSNs, and the role of the child support enforcement agency in obtaining available health care coverage and medical care for the children. Employers and health care plan administrators will find the information useful in understanding the rights and obligations of those involved in child support proceedings and those responsible for administrating health care plans.

The DOL Compliance Guide is on the OCSE website. Go to: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cse/pubs/2003/guides/dept_labor_qmcso.html

If you have any questions regarding this matter, please contact Andrew J. Hagan at (202) 401-5375 or e-mail him at ahagan@acf.hhs.gov.

Sincerely,

Sherri Z. Heller, Ed.D.
Commissioner
Office of Child Support Enforcement

cc: Regional Program Managers
ACF Regional Administrators