Medical Insurance FAQs
What is Ordinary Medical Expense (OME)?
OME is the uninsured health care expenses incurred by the payee of support. According to the 2025 Michigan Child Support Formula, OME is $200 per child, per year. Older orders may indicate a different amount. Please see page 2 of your specific Uniform Child Support Order for the OME on your case. This amount resets each January.
What is considered as Uninsured healthcare expenses?
The products or services provided or prescribed by a person or organization licensed or legally authorized to provide or prescribe human health care products or services, including, but not limited to, the following professionals; Chiropractors, Dentists, Oral Surgeons, Orthodontists, Prosthodontists, Periodontists, Endodontics, Pedodontists, Dental Hygienists, Dental Assistants, Medical Doctors, Physician’s Assistants, Registered Professional Nurses, Licensed Practical Nurses, Nurse Midwives, Nurses Anesthetists, Nurse Practitioners, Trained Attendants, Optometrists, Osteopaths, Pharmacists, Physical Therapists, Physiotherapists, Physical Therapy Technicians, Chiropodists, Podiatrists, Foot Specialists, Psychologists, Psychological Assistants, Psychological Examiners, Clinical Social Workers and providers of Prosthetic Devices. It also includes the following health facilities or agencies (even when located in a correctional institution or a university, college, or other educational institution); ambulances, advanced mobile emergency care services, clinical laboratories, county medical care facilities, freestanding surgical outpatient facilities, health maintenance organization, homes for aged, hospitals, and nursing homes (Michigan Child Support Formula, Section IV (D))
Expenses for OVER-THE-COUNTER MEDICATION and HEALTH INSURANCE PREMIUMS are not included in the “HEALTH CARE” definition and cannot be enforces unless specifically ordered.
If my child(ren) is covered by the State of Michigan, Medicaid or MiHealth, will insurance be enforced through my employer?
Yes, Medicaid is State funded and does not qualify to meet your responsibility of insuring your child(ren). You will still be responsible to provide insurance through your employer if it is available at a reasonable cost. In Shiawassee County, if the cost to insure your child(ren) does not exceed six percent (6%) of your gross wages, it is considered reasonable and will be enforced. If the cost proves to be a hardship you may object to the insurance in writing and insurance enforcement will be reconsidered.
My child(ren) is covered by MiChild, for which I pay a monthly premium. Do I still have to insure them through my employer?
At this time, Shiawassee County will accept MiChild as a qualifying insurance provided by the parent. You will not be required to enroll your child(ren) in other insurance. You are required to submit verification of the MiChild payment and the effective date for your child(ren).
If my current spouse insures my child(ren) does that meet my responsibility to insure?
Yes, if a third party insures your child(ren) you will not be required to provide health insurance through your employer. The information is required for your file. You will be required to complete a Health Insurance Information form and submit it for your file. A copy of the insurance card, front and back should also accompany the form.
