Qualified Medical Child Support Order (QMCSO)

As required by law, the Plan recognizes Qualified Medical Child Support Orders, called QMCSO’s for short. A Qualified Medical Child Support Order is issued by the Court in divorce cases.

A QMCSO recognizes a child's right to receive Plan benefits, as a beneficiary of an eligible Plan participant. The child, to be covered by the benefits of this Plan, must meet the age requirement and definition of eligible dependent as defined previously under the section entitled, "Eligible Dependents."

Below are outlined the steps which will be followed in order to establish and determine the qualified status of a QMCSO.

1. You must provide the Administrative Office a copy of your Court ordered QMCSO.
2. Within thirty (30) days after receipt of the QMCSO, the Administrative Office will notify you and the eligible dependent (through his or her custodial parent, guardian or representative), in writing, if the QMCSO is recognizable by the Plan.
3. If the Plan determines that the Court order does not constitute a QMCSO, or additional information is required, you and the eligible dependent (through his or her custodial parent, guardian or representative) will be notified in writing by the Plan.
   1. If the QMCSO is denied, the notice shall describe the reasons for this decision. You have a right to appeal a denial, and the Plan's appeals procedures will be included along with the notice of denial.
   2. If additional information is required, you will be notified as to what is needed, and will have sixty (60) days to respond. If you do not respond within sixty (60) days, the request for the QMCSO will be deemed canceled.