Since an Order for Health Care Reimbursement is considered a form of child support, the Friend of the Court is required to assist in collection of these costs from the noncustodial parent if you are unable to obtain his/her cooperation. The Friend of the Court will assist in collection of past due health care expenses less than one year old.
Keep health care bills to a minimum and keep the other parent informed of all health problems the children have. The noncustodial parent should be notified in advance of all non-emergency special treatment, such as orthodontic, psychological, or psychiatric expenses, and given an opportunity to obtain a second opinion. Cooperation is necessary to have prompt payment of health care bills.
The parent paying support is often ordered to pay necessary health care expenses. The parties can help enforce this provision of the court order.
The custodial parent should request a bill from the provider that includes the name of the child for whom the services were performed and the date and nature of the services performed. The payer parent is only required to pay for necessary health care bills and must be able to determine from the bills whether the services were necessary.
The custodial parent should mail the bills to the payer parent as they occur. If the bills are not paid, an enforcement request can be mailed to the Friend of the Court.
Use all available insurance to keep the health care costs to a minimum.
Failure to use available medical insurance without a good cause may affect your ability to obtain enforcement of the unpaid bill.
The custodial parent will generally make all decisions regarding medical care, such as choice of doctors, nature and extent of care, and timing of non-emergency care. If possible, the noncustodial parent should be consulted, especially on major decisions such as orthodontic work and surgeries.
Payments must indicate they are for medical bills, not support.
