Medical Bills

[moms.11]

My question involves child support in the State of: Washington

I have medical and dental insurance for all my children. However, my ex-wife is constantly taking the kids to dentist at least twice a month and takes them to the eye doctor as well. All of these visits, according to her, take a co-payment that my insurance does not cover. She takes them to the doctor so often I can't keep up with what is and what is not being covered.
She tells me she is going to send me these bills and/or receipts for the co-payments. I have seen maybe two of these. Now that tax time is hear she is claiming that she has receipts for over $2,000 worth of medical bills that I need to pay my share for. My question is, is there a time limit that she has to present these bills to me. Can she give me bills from 2 years ago and legally make me pay for them?

[cbg]

This is not a question addressed by law. If there is a court order indicating how this issue will be handled, that rules. Otherwise, it is entirely between the two of you. The law says nothing about which parent is responsible for which bills or how they must be handled, in what time frame.

[moms.11]

This is not a question addressed by law. If there is a court order indicating how this issue will be handled, that rules. Otherwise, it is entirely between the two of you. The law says nothing about which parent is responsible for which bills or how they must be handled, in what time frame.

Actually, this is considered an extra ordinary expense that the courts do state that I have to pay a certain share of. However, I cant pay for something I dont know what to pay for. So now my question is does she have a time limit in which she has to present these medical bills to me?

[cbg]

I will say it again.

There IS NO LAW that says when she has to submit the bills to you. This is ENTIRELY a matter of either your court order or between the two of you.

If you insist on having the question answered exactly as worded, though, I can do that too.

So now my question is does she have a time limit in which she has to present these medical bills to me?

No. There isn't.

[moms.11]

I will say it again.

There IS NO LAW that says when she has to submit the bills to you. This is ENTIRELY a matter of either your court order or between the two of you.

If you insist on having the question answered exactly as worded, though, I can do that too.

So now my question is does she have a time limit in which she has to present these medical bills to me?

No. There isn't.

Hey, I've got an idea...why don't you be rude about it?

[moms.11]

Actually, this is considered an extra ordinary expense that the courts do state that I have to pay a certain share of. However, I cant pay for something I dont know what to pay for. So now my question is does she have a time limit in which she has to present these medical bills to me?

I would also like someone who lives in Washington state and knows our laws to respond.

[cbg]

Hey, I've got an idea.

Why don't you let us know when the only answer you'll accept is the one you want to hear? That way no one will have to waste time giving you the legally correct answer.

If I didn't know the answer, I wouldn't have answered in the first place. I've been dealing with insurance issues in the line of business in many more states than MA for 30 years.

It doesn't matter how many times you ask the question. NO, there IS NOT a legally mandated time frame in which she has to give you the bills.

[aaron]

The question is, what's in the court's order? Consider for example this case:

Mr. Strom opposed the motion, claiming he had not received timely notice of the expenses as required by paragraph 3.18 of the Order of Child Support:

Any uncovered medical expenses incurred on behalf of the children shall be shared 84% by the father, and 16% by the mother. Each party shall provide all written documentation and materials to the other party regarding medical bills incurred, requests for reimbursement from the insurance carrier, and materials indicative of payment within (30) days of making or receiving a claim. Should a party be reimbursed by an insurance carrier for funds owing the other party, said party shall remit reimbursement to such party within thirty days. Reimbursement shall be made within thirty days of proper demand.

If the mother does not provide medical insurance coverage for the children, then extraordinary health care expenses shall be paid as follows: the obligor shall pay 84% of extraordinary health care expenses (the obligor's proportional share of income from the child support schedule worksheet, line 6) if monthly medical expenses exceed $ 46.50 per child (5% of the basic support obligation from worksheet, line 5).

CP at 6. Mr. Strom also claimed that paragraph 4.1 of the temporary parenting plan required notice to him of all non-emergency medical decisions. Ms. Smith asserted that Mr. Strom had notice because his dental insurance was used and he received monthly explanations of benefits starting in April 1999.

Note that under the facts of that case, despite non-compliance with the court order, the husband was still ordered to pay.

[moms.11]

The question is, what's in the court's order? Consider for example this case:Note that under the facts of that case, despite non-compliance with the court order, the husband was still ordered to pay.

Thank you so much. Much more concrete, nice answer!