2016 Comment Period - NMSN Part A - OMB 0970-0222
DCL-16-02
DEAR COLLEAGUE LETTER
DCL-16-02
DATE: February 10, 2016
TO: ALL STATE IV-D DIRECTORS
RE: 2016 Comment Period - NMSN Part A (OMB No. 0970-0222)
Dear Colleague:
In an effort to synchronize the expiration dates on National Medical Support Notice (NMSN) Parts A and B, the Department of Labor (DOL) published Notice 80 FR 72990 in the Federal Register on November 23, 2015 to request public comments on Part B. OCSE published Notice 81 FR 3147 on January 20, 2016 to synchronize the expiration date only for Part A. Although we are not proposing any changes to Part A, there is a 60-day comment period that expires on March 20, 2016.
We anticipate improvements to children’s health care coverage options in the next few years; therefore, we are reviewing the medical child support enforcement statute and rules to identify any modifications necessary to support these efforts. As a result, we will not make immediate changes to the NMSN or automate the form.
In response to states’ concerns, and to avoid making new investments in medical support enforcement to comply with regulatory requirements that may become obsolete, OCSE in coordination with DOL, plans to renew the existing NMSN Parts A and B without change. The current forms are available at www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cse/forms. Tribal child support programs are not required to use these forms.
As stated in previous policy guidance, states have flexibility in implementing medical support policy; however, state child support agencies must continue to provide medical child support enforcement services in compliance with all statutory requirements, including Sections 452(f) and 466(a)(19) of the Social Security Act.
Sincerely,
Vicki Turetsky
Commissioner
Office of Child Support Enforcement
cc: ACF/OCSE Regional Program Managers
Tribal IV-D Directors