National Medical Support Notices and Withholding Limitations

[Guest Regina]

Is the employer and/or plan administrator required to monitor employment status and level of income of the non-custodial parent when a National Medical Support Notice was determined to be "qualified" but the employee's income was found to be insufficient due to state/federal withholding limitations which prevent the withholding from the employee's income of the amount required to obtain coverage under the terms of the plan? If so, then what is the length of time and frequency required to track the employee's status and income?

[Greg Judd]

Regina,

Based on what (very) little I know of NMSN, despite the best intentions of workgroups to achieve true administrative standardization, states can & do vary with respect to their administrative requirements for enforcement of these orders. Probably best to contact whomever has issued the order to get what little they may know (& be prepared for uncertainty at their end, too).