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Qualified medical child support orders

You may be required to enroll your child for coverage in the healthcare plan in accordance with the terms of a qualified medical child support order (QMCSO), even if you have not previously enrolled the child for coverage. If the Plan receives a valid QMCSO and you do not enroll the dependent child, the custodial parent or state agency may enroll the affected child. Additionally, Stryker may withhold any contributions required for such coverage from your Stryker paycheck.
A QMCSO is a judgment, decree or order issued by a court or an authorized government agency that:
  • Provides for child support and/or health benefit coverage for your child.
  • Is made according to a state domestic relations law that relates to group health benefits under the Stryker Corporation Welfare Benefits Plan; or enforces a law relating to medical child support described in Section 1396g of Title XIX of the Social Security Act.
  • Creates or recognizes the existence of the child's right to receive the healthcare benefits for which you are eligible under the Stryker Corporation Welfare Benefits Plan.
  • Meets the following requirements:
    • Clearly specifies your name and last known mailing address and the name and mailing address of each child covered by the order;
    • Clearly specifies a reasonable description of the type of coverage to be provided to each child; and
    • Does not require the Stryker Corporation Welfare Benefit Plan to provide any type or form of benefit or any option not otherwise provided, except to the extent necessary to meet requirements relating to medical child support described in Section 1396g of Title XIX of the Social Security Act.
Coverage for a child who is eligible under a QMCSO becomes effective on the latest of the following dates:
  • The first day of the month specified in the order;
  • The first day of the month following the date the plan administrator determines that the order is qualified;
  • The effective date of a court order requiring Stryker to withhold coverage contributions for dependent health coverage from your earnings.
Coverage for a child who is eligible under a QMCSO ends on the earliest of the following:
  • The date the covered child otherwise ceases to qualify as a dependent under the Plan; or
  • The date another individual is ordered to provide medical and prescription drug, dental and/or vision coverage for the child under a QMCSO or NMSN and coverage is in fact provided.
If the plan administrator receives a judgment, decree or order that relates to the provision of healthcare benefits for your child, the plan administrator will notify you, the child's custodial parent and/or the appropriate governmental agency of the plan's procedures for determining whether the judgment, decree or order is "qualified." You can obtain, without charge, a copy of the procedures from the plan administrator. Within a reasonable period of time, the plan administrator will determine whether the order is a qualified medical child support order. You and the child's custodial parent or representative will be notified of the decision.