Request for Comments on Proposed National Medical Support Notice Form

DEAR COLLEAGUE LETTER

DCL-10-11

DATE: July 2, 2010

Attachments:Draft National Medical Support Notice (NMSN) Form and Instructions- Part A.pdf
Federal Register Notice.pdf

TO: STATE AND TRIBAL IV-D DIRECTORS

Dear Colleague:

Title 45 CFR 303.32 and 29 CFR 2590.609.2 implemented provisions of the Child Support Performance and Incentive Act of 1998 (CSPIA), Public Law 105-200. These provisions require state child support agencies, under title IV-D of the Social Security Act, to enforce the health care coverage provision in child support orders, and to use the NMSN to aid enforcement. The current form, which expires on March 31, 2011, can be accessed on our website. Tribal child support programs are not required to use this form.

In compliance with the requirements of Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Administration for Children and Families is soliciting public comments on the renewal of the NMSN. As of Monday, June 28, 2010, a notice for public comment has been posted to the Federal Register. The notice appears on page 36658 in Volume 75, Number 123.

The need to reauthorize the NMSN provides the opportunity to consider some revisions. These changes are needed in order to ensure the efficient implementation of the electronic NMSN. Below are the proposed modifications to the NMSN form.

General Changes to the NMSN

•At the bottom of each page, added the page number.
•At the bottom of each page, added a space for the "case identifier".
•At the bottom of each page, added a space for the "order identifier".

Changes to Page 1

•Clarified instructions with regard to the term "employee" by adding a new fourth sentence in the Header Paragraph that reads, "NOTE: For purposes of this form, the Custodial Parent may also be the employee when the State opts to enforce against the Custodial Parent."
•In the agency information box, changed Case Number to read "Case Identifier".
•In the agency information box, added space for the "Order Identifier".
•In the agency information box, added space for the "Document Tracking Number".
•Added additional space for substituted official/agency name and address.
•Added additional space for name, telephone number, and mailing address of a representative of the child(ren).
•In the section where the child(ren)'s name(s) are listed, added a column to include the child(ren)'s gender.
•In the section where the order identifies the coverage for the children, added check boxes.
•At the bottom of the page, added the new expiration date: 03/31/2014.

Changes to Page 2

•Under the Employer Response heading, added "and complete item 6" to the end of the third sentence.
•Under the Employer Response heading, added a new check box # 6 that reads,
      "Employer forwarded to Plan Administrator on _______________."
             MM/DD/YYIf you wish to comment on the form, please follow the instructions for public comment in the Federal Register notice. When commenting, please be sure to reference the OMB number associated with the form, i.e., OMB 0970-0222. Consideration will be given to comments received by Friday, August 27, 2010.

Sincerely,

Vicki Turetsky
Commissioner
Office of Child Support Enforcement