Can the state make me reimburse state medical aid?

[SopranoKris]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Illinois

I will be losing my job in 6 weeks. My ex & I have joint legal custody, but he is considered the custodial parent. I currently pay him child support each month. Since I'm losing my job, he's agreed with me that I don't have to pay him anything until I get a new job.

Unfortunately, part of losing my job means no more health insurance. I currently cover my son under my health insurance plan. I can't afford to pay the COBRA premiums to keep it.

My ex wants to file for Kids Care through the state. A friend of mine told me that if he applies for Kids Care that the state will come after me to reimburse for the aid that's given. Is that true? I went on the Kids Care website and I can't find anything that states this.

I just want to make sure we have all our ducks in a row before we move forward. My son is very healthy and rarely needs to go to the doctor. However, I want to make sure he's got health coverage if/when he needs it.

I have no idea how long it's going to take to find another job, but it's not looking good right now.

I will put my son on my health insurance and get him off state care the moment I'm able to. My ex's employer does not provide health coverage at all, so there's no way to go that route.

Anyone know if what my friend said is true? Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[CSO286]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Illinois

I will be losing my job in 6 weeks. My ex & I have joint legal custody, but he is considered the custodial parent. I currently pay him child support each month. Since I'm losing my job, he's agreed with me that I don't have to pay him anything until I get a new job.

Unfortunately, part of losing my job means no more health insurance. I currently cover my son under my health insurance plan. I can't afford to pay the COBRA premiums to keep it.

My ex wants to file for Kids Care through the state. A friend of mine told me that if he applies for Kids Care that the state will come after me to reimburse for the aid that's given. Is that true? I went on the Kids Care website and I can't find anything that states this.

I just want to make sure we have all our ducks in a row before we move forward. My son is very healthy and rarely needs to go to the doctor. However, I want to make sure he's got health coverage if/when he needs it.

I have no idea how long it's going to take to find another job, but it's not looking good right now.

I will put my son on my health insurance and get him off state care the moment I'm able to. My ex's employer does not provide health coverage at all, so there's no way to go that route.

Anyone know if what my friend said is true? Thanks in advance for your help!

Yes it is.

If you child recieves cash (TANF) or medicaid, the state can pursue a basic support or a medical support obligation.

From: http://www.childsupportillinois.com/customers/index.html]Child Support Customers

Note: Child Support services are available to any parent who needs assistance in establishing legal parentage, establishing child support or medical support, or enforcing support.

 

[SopranoKris]

While we have custody & child support agreement through the court, it does not go through Illinois Child Support. I cut a check each month directly to my ex.

He's not going to pursue TANF or food stamps. Just Kids Care for health coverage.

The link that you pasted came up as 404 Unknown when I clicked on it. I still can't find anything on Illinois Child Support that specifically addresses my question. I looked in "Customers" and "FAQ". The only thing I can find is that if you receive medical coverage, you are asked if you wish to pursue child support. If you wish to pursue, then you complete a form.

My ex & I are on good terms and it's not like he's trying to be vindictive or anything. I will have no income until I can get another job, so we're just trying to make sure my son is covered with health insurance (which may never even be used) until I get a new job. He's agreed that I don't have to pay him anything until I can get another job. We're very amicable.

I'm just worried about the state trying to stick me with a huge bill that I can't possibly afford to pay while I'm unemployed.

 

[Zigner]

While we have custody & child support agreement through the court, it does not go through Illinois Child Support. I cut a check each month directly to my ex.

He's not going to pursue TANF or food stamps. Just Kids Care for health coverage.

The link that you pasted came up as 404 Unknown when I clicked on it. I still can't find anything on Illinois Child Support that specifically addresses my question. I looked in "Customers" and "FAQ". The only thing I can find is that if you receive medical coverage, you are asked if you wish to pursue child support. If you wish to pursue, then you complete a form.

My ex & I are on good terms and it's not like he's trying to be vindictive or anything. I will have no income until I can get another job, so we're just trying to make sure my son is covered with health insurance (which may never even be used) until I get a new job. He's agreed that I don't have to pay him anything until I can get another job. We're very amicable.

I'm just worried about the state trying to stick me with a huge bill that I can't possibly afford to pay while I'm unemployed.

So, who exactly SHOULD be stuck with the insurance bill?

Do your court orders address the health insurance question?

 

[CSO286]

While we have custody & child support agreement through the court, it does not go through Illinois Child Support. I cut a check each month directly to my ex.

He's not going to pursue TANF or food stamps. Just Kids Care for health coverage.

The link that you pasted came up as 404 Unknown when I clicked on it. I still can't find anything on Illinois Child Support that specifically addresses my question. I looked in "Customers" and "FAQ". The only thing I can find is that if you receive medical coverage, you are asked if you wish to pursue child support. If you wish to pursue, then you complete a form.

My ex & I are on good terms and it's not like he's trying to be vindictive or anything. I will have no income until I can get another job, so we're just trying to make sure my son is covered with health insurance (which may never even be used) until I get a new job. He's agreed that I don't have to pay him anything until I can get another job. We're very amicable.

I'm just worried about the state trying to stick me with a huge bill that I can't possibly afford to pay while I'm unemployed.

Try this link(it worked for me): http://www.childsupportillinois.com/customers/

Here's the thing: If your applies for and recieves KidsCare/medicaid the state will attempt to recoup some of thse costs from you to offset cost of care. They will obtain a medical support support order for you to pay.

I am not certain if Illinois is one of the states that allows the CP to have med suppport only services or requires them to cooperate with the state to set and then enforce child support as well as the medical. You could certainly call your local child support office and ask them for more information about the types of orders they obtain and enforce.