Effective Oct. 1, 2004 the Michigan Child Support Formula requires all new and modified orders to include ordinary medical. Included in the child support calculation, the non-custodial party will be required to pay each month for the ordinary uninsured health care expenses incurred on behalf of the minor child/ren. The custodial party may not seek reimbursement from the non-custodial party for any uninsured health care expenses until the annual ordinary medical amount has been met for the year. The court order should state the annual ordinary medical amount.
Uninsured health care expenses include: insurance co-payments, deductibles and other uninsured health care costs. Orthodontic treatment is included in the definition of health care and will be treated as an uninsured health care expense. The base support already covers remedial care items, such as band aids and non-prescription medications, so those expenses are not included in this category.
For the custodial party, any health care expenses incurred after the annual ordinary medical amount has been met are called extraordinary health care expenses. For the non-custodial party, any health care expenses incurred on behalf of the minor child/ren are considered extraordinary health care expenses. The court order will indicate the percentage each party must pay for the extraordinary uninsured health care expenses.
Friend of the Court will assist in reimbursement of the extraordinary uninsured health care expenses that are within a year old of date of service. Reimbursement forms (FOC 13 & 13a) can be obtained online or at the Friend of the Court office. It will be necessary to provide supporting documentation (i.e. bills, receipts, explanation of benefits) with the reimbursement forms which includes provider name, patient name, date of service, type of service, amount charged and/or paid. Cash register receipts are not acceptable. Expenses submitted by the custodial party will be processed and the medical account assessed for the non-custodial party’s court ordered percentage. Expenses submitted by the non-custodial party will be processed and the account credited for the custodial party’s court ordered percentage.
Reimbursement forms
- Request for Health-Care Expense Payment (FOC 13)
- Complaint and Notice for Health-Care Expense Payment (FOC 13a)
- Health-Care Expense Supporting Documentation Worksheet
The custodial party or non-custodial party must submit their request for proportionate reimbursement to the other party within 28 days of the insurers’ final payment or denial of coverage.
If direct reimbursement is not received by the other party within 28 days after the demand, the request for payment of uninsured health care expenses may be submitted to the Friend of the Court.
It is the custodial party or non-custodial party’s duty to submit the reimbursement request to the Friend of the Court one year after the expense was incurred, six months after insurer’s final payment or denial of claim, or six months after a parent defaults in paying for a health care expense as required under written agreement. Expenses more than a year old, from date of payment, will not be accepted by the Friend of the Court for enforcement.
The Friend of the Court will then establish a medical assessed account and pursue reimbursement for the custodial party.
Any questions relating to these policies and procedures may be directed to the Friend of the Court medical program specialist during regular business hours.
Health care insurance
The Friend of the Court has enforcement procedures available to require one or both parties to obtain health care insurance for the minor child/ren if ordered by the Court. Assistance is also available in obtaining information about current insurance coverage.
Questions and concerns can be directed to the Friend of the Court Medical Department at (586) 469-5679 or (586) 469-5646.