Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP) FAQ
Guidance for FAQ regarding Employer/Employee Interaction and Special Enrollment Periods (SEPs)
Program Area: Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP)
Question: What is a qualified medical support order?
Answer: A 1993 amendment to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) requires employment-based group health plans to extend health care coverage to the children of a parent-employee who is divorced, separated, or never married when ordered to do so by state authorities. A qualified medical support order documents this order by state authorities.
Issued by: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
Issue Date: July 16, 2014
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