National Medical Support Notice
Overview

August 28, 2002, is the planned date for Missouri's Child Support Enforcement (CSE) to begin using a standardized federal form called the National Medical Support Notice (NMSN). The NMSN is designed to increase access to health care coverage for children by assisting employers who now receive a variety of medical support forms from state child support agencies.

The Missouri General Assembly has passed legislative changes requiring the use of the NMSN, and Governor Bob Holden is expected to sign those changes into law. The federal Departments of Labor and Health and Human Services, which developed the NMSN, did so with the intent of removing barriers to effective enforcement of medical support orders while recommending effective solutions.

Federal department staff consulted with a Medical Support Working Group to develop the form. One of the main goals of that work group - made up of employer representatives, including payroll professionals, as well as sponsors and administrators of group health plans - was a standard form for states to use when issuing a medical support order/notice to employers. This form will simplify processing for all concerned and, most importantly, enhance health care coverage for children who are excluded from their noncustodial parent's group health plan.

Missouri employers may already be receiving the NMSN, as all state child support agencies were to begin using the form on October 1, 2001, unless the state needed to pass enabling legislation.

Missouri is one of the states that needed the legislation. Representative Timothy P. Green, 73rd District (D-St. Louis) sponsored the legislation in the House. Assistant Majority Floor Leader, Senator Betty Sims, 24th District (R-St. Louis) sponsored similar legislation in the Senate. The legislation, found in Senate Bill 923, was passed May 17, 2002.

Employers and other interested parties can download the NMSN from the Office of Child Support Enforcement web site at      http://www.acf.dhhs.gov/programs/cse/newhire/employ/medsupport/index.html
Employers with questions about the NMSN or other child support issues may contact the CSE Employer Information Line at 1-800-585-9234.