Medical Expenses in Child Support

Parents are, of course, responsible for the medical expenses of their children. The bulk of these expenses are covered by health insurance in most families. There is no standard approach among states as to how the cost of insurance or the cost of uncovered medical expenses figures into child support orders. Typically, parents will identify the spouse whose plan allows for the addition of the children at the lowest cost, and calculate payment to that spouse for the insurance into their agreement. Additional expenses are typically split based on relative total or discretionary income. If the parents cannot agree on how to cover medical expenses, a judge will decide for them, and the result may not be the lowest cost solution.

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