Medical Expense Support

Covering Expenses for Medically Necessary Services & Supplies


 The term medical includes reasonable expenses for medically necessary services and supplies such as:

  • Co-pays and deductibles (for orders effective April, 1 1999)
  • Surgical
  • Dental
  • Optical services
  • Orthodontics (for orders effective April, 1 1999)
  • Prescriptions

  Services that are note covered (unless specifically stated in your order) include:

  • Chiropractic services
  • Cosmetic surgery
  • Psychiatric / psychological services


Guidelines for Medical Coverage

 Parties must provide each other with the following:  

  • Name of the health care coverage providers
  • Any applicable identification numbers or cards
  • Address to which claims should be mailed
  • All documentation regarding guidelines and participating health care providers, including a copy of the benefit booklet or coverage contract
  • Five copies of any claim forms

  If the child or spouse receives medical assistance (i.e., ACCESS, Mercy, or other state-funded medical coverage), parties may be required to provide health insurance.


Please note: Parties may be responsible for birth related expenses.


Communication & Cooperation Between Parties Is Essential

 


To get payments for medical expenses, keep the following in mind:

  • Parties must follow the insurance company rules. All bills must be submitted to all available insurance plans. If a claim is denied by the insurance company for failure to follow their rules, the other party cannot be made responsible for the share of the cost.
  • Documentation must be provided to show that the first $250 per person, per calendar year has been met.
  • The party with the medical bills should send copies of the bills and insurance statement to the other party by regular mail as well as certified mail or a certificate of mailing. The exact amount owed and to whom, should be clearly stated (a Plaintiff Unreimbursed Expenses Packet or Defendant Unreimbursed Expenses Packet may be used). A certified mail receipt card will be returned to the sender as proof the bills were received by the obligor. Please keep this mail receipt.
  • The party who is responsible to pay the bill should send the payment to the other party by check or money order so payment can be verified.