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HR8164119th CongressWALLET

Ensuring Child Health Coverage Compensation in Divorce Act of 2026

Sponsored By: Representative Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]

Introduced

Summary

Guarantee that children covered by medical child support orders can access and use their health benefits without the noncustodial parent's approval. The bill would require group health plans, insurers, and federal programs to give custodial parents needed coverage information, accept claims from custodial parents or approved providers without the noncustodial parent's OK, and pay claims directly to the custodial parent or the provider.

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  • Families and children: Custodial parents would get the information needed to obtain a child's benefits, be allowed to submit claims without the noncustodial parent's authorization, and receive payments directly. This includes stepparents when they are the noncustodial parent.
  • Plans and issuers: Private and group health plans and issuers must change procedures to share information, accept claims from custodial parents or authorized providers, and make direct payments. The rules would apply to plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2026.
  • Federal programs and providers: The same duties apply to the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program and federal health care programs under the Social Security Act, and payments may go to a custodial parent or a State agency where applicable.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Custodial parents: easier child coverage

This bill would require group health plans, issuers, FEHBP carriers, and Federal health programs to help custodial parents. It would apply when a child is covered under a noncustodial parent's (including a stepparent's) plan. Plans would have to give custodial parents the information needed to get the child's benefits. A custodial parent would be able to file claims without the noncustodial parent's approval. A provider could file claims if the custodial parent approves. Plans would have to pay claims directly to the custodial parent, the provider, or the State agency for Federal programs. These rules would take effect for plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2026.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]

DC • D

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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