(1) If a child support order requires a parent to provide health care coverage for the children named in the order, the division of child support (DCS) attempts to enforce that requirement according to the terms of the order.

(2) A parent required to provide medical support or health care coverage for a child is called the obligated parent, and can be either the custodial parent (CP) or the noncustodial parent (NCP).

(3) WAC 388-14A-4111 and 388-14A-4112 describe when DCS may accept or decline a request to enforce a medical support obligation.

(4) When DCS is enforcing a support order which contains a specific dollar limit for the cost of health care coverage premiums or provides for coverage which is available at no cost to the obligated parent, DCS does not require the obligated parent to provide health care coverage if coverage is not available within the limitations of the order.

(5) When DCS is enforcing a support order entered in Washington on or after October 1, 2009, providing that either or both parents must provide coverage and/or a proportionate share of uninsured medical expenses as part of the medical support obligation under RCW 26.09.105, the rules in this subsection apply unless the support order specifies differently:

(a) The obligated parent must provide health care coverage for the dependent children covered by the order if coverage is:

(i) Available or becomes available through accessible health care coverage which is not provided through the obligated parent's employer or union; or

(ii) Available or becomes available through the obligated parent's employment or union at a cost that is not more than twenty-five percent of the obligated parent's basic support obligation.

(b) If the obligated parent does not provide proof of coverage or if coverage is not available, DCS may serve a notice of support owed under WAC 388-14A-3312 to determine the monthly amount that the obligated parent must pay as his or her proportionate share of any premium paid by the other parent or by the state on behalf of the children.

(6) When DCS is enforcing a support order entered in Washington between May 13, 1989 and September 30, 2009, unless the support order specifies differently, the obligated parent must provide health insurance for the dependent children if coverage is:

(a) Available or becomes available through the obligated parent's employment or union; and

(b) Available at a cost of not greater than twenty-five per cent of the obligated parent's basic support obligation.

(7) When DCS is enforcing a Washington support order entered prior to May 13, 1989, unless the support order specifies differently, the obligated parent must provide health insurance for the dependent children if coverage is available or becomes available through the obligated parent's employment or union:

(a) For a maximum of twenty-five dollars per month, if the order specifies that the obligated parent must provide coverage only if it is available at a reasonable cost; or

(b) For any premium amount whatsoever, if the order does not specify reasonable cost.

(8) DCS serves a notice of intent to enforce a health care coverage obligation if the support order:

(a) Requires the obligated parent either to provide health care coverage or prove that coverage is not available; and

(b) Does not inform the obligated parent that failure to provide health care coverage or prove it is not available may result in enforcement of the order without notice to the obligated parent.

(9) DCS serves the notice of intent to enforce a health care coverage obligation on the obligated parent by certified mail, return receipt requested, or by personal service.

(10) The notice advises the obligated parent that he or she must submit proof of coverage, proof that coverage is not available, or proof that the obligated parent has applied for coverage, within twenty days of the date of service of the notice.

(11) The notice advises the obligated parent that, if health care coverage is not yet available, the obligated parent must immediately notify DCS if health care coverage becomes available through the obligated parent's employer or union.

(12) When DCS enforces an obligated parent's health care coverage obligation, such enforcement may include asking the employer and the plan administrator to enroll the obligated parent in a health insurance plan available through the employer.

PDFWAC 388-14A-4100

How does the division of child support enforce my obligation to provide health care coverage for my children?