If you are a parent in Michigan dealing with child support and medical expenses you might wonder: Who pays for what? Below is a breakdown to help you navigate the rules.
1. What Makes Up a Child Support Payment?
Michigan’s Child Support Formula (MCSF) divides support into three parts:
- Base support – daily living expenses
- Medical support – insurance, ordinary medical costs, and extra‑ordinary expenses
- Child care costs – Every child support order lists an annual ordinary medical amount—the portion the support recipient must cover first each year before costs are shared. For all support orders entered after January 1, 2025, the amount is $200 for one child, $400 for two children, etc. These include copays, deductibles, and other basic uninsured costs.
2. What About Bigger Bills, Like Braces?
Braces count as additional (extra‑ordinary) medical expenses. Once the ordinary medical amount is used up, parents must split extra‑ordinary expenses based on percentages listed in their support order.
3. How to Request Reimbursement from the Other Parent
If you paid medical bills beyond the ordinary amount, Michigan law has strict rules about how and when you must request the other parent’s share.
A valid reimbursement request must show:
- You asked the other parent for payment within 28 days of insurance’s final payment/denial.
- The total cost meets any minimum threshold set by the state.
- Your complaint is filed on time—usually within 1 year of when the expense occurred.
These rules come from MCL 552.511a(1). Parents typically use forms FOC 13 and FOC 13a to submit requests.
Bottom line: If you wait too long to ask for reimbursement, you could lose the right to collect.
4. What If the Other Parent Says “I Didn’t Agree to This”?
This issue pops up often with orthodontics. But the MCSF’s definition of “medical” is broad and includes:
- Treatments
- Equipment
- Oral care
- Visual care
- Psychological care
…as long as they were provided or prescribed by a health professional.
If you have joint legal custody, it is recommended that you discuss all medical issues with the other parent. However, if joint legal custody was violated, that is generally handled in a separate custody motion, not during a reimbursement hearing.
5. Tips for Parents to Avoid Future Disputes
- Keep records of all medical bills and payments.
- Communicate in writing about upcoming medical appointments.
- Send reimbursement requests promptly.
- If there’s disagreement over medical decisions, file a motion early rather than acting unilaterally.
Final Takeaway
Michigan expects parents to share their children’s medical expenses fairly, but the process has strict timelines and documentation requirements. Staying organized, communicating clearly, and following the MCSF guidelines can help prevent frustration and ensure your child’s healthcare needs are met.
If you would like to learn more about this subject, please contact Tripp, Tagg & Storrs, Attorneys at Law, call 269-948-2900 or 269-945-2242 or visit www.tts.law.
*This blog is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Please consult an attorney before making important decisions regarding your individual situation.