Qualified Medical Child Support Order (QMSCO) Definition and Legal Meaning

On this page, you'll find the legal definition and meaning of Qualified Medical Child Support Order (QMSCO), written in plain English, along with examples of how it is used.

What is Qualified Medical Child Support Order (QMSCO)?

Qualified Medical Child Support Order is the document issued by a court authenticating a child’s right to health care benefits from the health plan scheme of their parents, whether or not they are staying with the such parents.

History and Meaning of Qualified Medical Child Support Order (QMSCO)

A Qualified Medical Child Support Order (QMSCO) is a legal document issued by a court that specifies a parent's health insurance plan will provide coverage for their child. This type of order is most commonly used in situations where one parent is providing health insurance coverage for their child through their employer.

QMSCOs were created as part of the Child Support Enforcement Amendments of 1984. There was concern that children were losing health care benefits when parents divorced or separated, and this legislation was meant to address that issue.

To establish a QMSCO, the court must determine that the child is a dependent of the parent who is the plan participant and that the child is also eligible for coverage under the plan. Once the order is established, the health plan must provide coverage for the child, even if they don't live with the parent who is enrolled in the plan.

Examples of Qualified Medical Child Support Order (QMSCO)

  1. A divorced couple agrees that the father will provide health insurance coverage for their child through his employer's plan. The court issues a QMSCO to ensure that the child will receive the promised health care benefits.

  2. A father is ordered to pay child support and provide health insurance coverage for his child. The father obtains health insurance through his employer and requests a QMSCO to ensure the child is covered under the plan.

  3. An unwed mother obtains a QMSCO to secure health insurance benefits for her child through the father's employer-sponsored plan.

Legal Terms Similar to Qualified Medical Child Support Order (QMSCO)

  1. Child support: Court-ordered payments made by a noncustodial parent to assist in the financial support of their child.

  2. Health insurance portability and accountability act (HIPAA): Federal law which governs the privacy and security of personal health information.

  3. COBRA: A federal law that provides the right of continuation of health care coverage for a limited period after a qualifying event, such as losing a job.