Is my son's father responsible for health insurance co-payments?

[stefany379]

I reside in MA and currently my son's father (we were never married), removed his insurance one minute after midnight on his birthday. My son just turned 23 and is in college. Since I am stuck with hundreds of dollars in co-payments, is he or can he be held liable for these payments as I cannot pay them? Also my son has outstanding school issues in which the father never paid a dime. His court order just showed 210 per week and insurance coverage. Now he has cut him off without warning and he is left hanging. We thought out of the goodness of his heart, he would extend another 6 months but he refuses to do so. very vindictive person. Left my son crying all night as he is epileptic and depressed.

 

[ecmst12]

Your son is an adult. HE is responsible for his bills.

You can also add him to your insurance within 30 days of him losing his other coverage, if you have insurance. He can stay on a parent's insurance until age 26. If you have missed the 30 day window, you will have to wait until open enrollment to add him.

 

[Silverplum]

I reside in MA and currently my son's father (we were never married), removed his insurance one minute after midnight on his birthday. My son just turned 23 and is in college. Since I am stuck with hundreds of dollars in co-payments, is he or can he be held liable for these payments as I cannot pay them? Also my son has outstanding school issues in which the father never paid a dime. His court order just showed 210 per week and insurance coverage. Now he has cut him off without warning and he is left hanging. We thought out of the goodness of his heart, he would extend another 6 months but he refuses to do so. very vindictive person. Left my son crying all night as he is epileptic and depressed.

The obligor is only responsible for what is ordered in court.

 

[cbg]

Minor caveat: ecmst12 is mostly likely right about the length of time you have to add him to your coverage. However, while most employers offer 30 days, my employer offers 60. 30 is the default and the minimum allowed by law. There is no question that my employer is in the minority offering more. But it COULD be longer than 30 days. So check with your HR department TODAY and find out if you've missed the window or not.

Unless your son's father has a court order requiring that he continue to cover him/pay medical bills after he turns 23 and/or until he graduates college, he cannot be held liable for the co-payments (or anything else).

 

[stefany379]

Your son is an adult. HE is responsible for his bills.

You can also add him to your insurance within 30 days of him losing his other coverage, if you have insurance. He can stay on a parent's insurance until age 26. If you have missed the 30 day window, you will have to wait until open enrollment to add him.

He cannot work as he is incapable of a full time job due to medical issues. He goes to college 2 days a week. The question was only if the father was responsible for the co-payments since they occurred while he insured his son.

 

[LdiJ]

He cannot work as he is incapable of a full time job due to medical issues. He goes to college 2 days a week. The question was only if the father was responsible for the co-payments since they occurred while he insured his son.

If your son is disabled enough that he will never be able to support himself, then its possible that you could get his father ordered to both pay child support and provide insurance for an extended amount of time. Get a consult with a local attorney.

 

[cbg]

Does the court order specifically say that he is responsible for co-payments?

Being responsible for providing insurance does not automatically make him responsible for the co-payments.

 

[mistoffolees]

If your son is disabled enough that he will never be able to support himself, then its possible that you could get his father ordered to both pay child support and provide insurance for an extended amount of time. Get a consult with a local attorney.

Maybe, but since the 'child' is already an adult, that's a huge uphill battle. It might be easier and more effective to apply for SSI.
Benefits for People with Disabilities

Of course, he would have to be truly disabled and unable to work to qualify.

 

[OHRoadwarrior]

Obviously, he functions well enough to go to college. Many people working are not able to function well enough to do that.