Child Support Report Covers Connecting Kids to Health Insurance

The article, “How Employers Help Connect Kids to Health Insurance” written by PAYO staff, is featured in the December 2023 edition of the Child Support Report, a monthly e‑newsletter published by the federal Office of Child Support Services (OCSS).

The National Medical Support Notice (NMSN) is the OMB-approved form that state child support agencies send to employers to enroll children in employer-provided health insurance. One or both parents may be ordered to provide health insurance. Employers can receive hard copies or electronic versions from states participating in the e-NMSN program.

OCSS has detailed form instructions for each part of the NMSN and answers to common questions about union-provided plans, COBRA coverage for former employees, and how to handle changes in employer-provided coverage. Employers can also find information about state medical support requirements. Employers should review state laws and regulations to ensure compliance and contact state agencies with questions.

When an employer receives both an Income Withholding for Support Order and an NMSN, they must ensure the combined withholding amounts do not exceed the Consumer Credit Protection Act (CCPA) limits. There may not be sufficient allowable disposable income to withhold the amount ordered on the IWO plus health insurance, so an employer must check the law of the employee’s work state for withholding priorities of different types of child support.

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Adam Prinzo is the Assistant Manager of Government Relations for PayrollOrg.