RÉSUMÉ DIGEST
ACT 166 (HB 490) 2018 Regular Session Gregory Miller
Existing law provides definitions within the context of family and child support programs.
New law adds definitions of "health insurance" and "healthcare coverage".
Existing law defines "reasonable cost" for the health insurance premium for a minor child
as it relates to the gross income of the parent. New law further provides that the definition
of "reasonable cost" applies to adding a child to an existing policy, the cost of acquiring a
separate policy, or the difference between a single and a family policy.
Existing law requires a parent responsible for providing medical support to a minor child to
provide private health insurance as soon as it is available at a reasonable cost. New
law allows a court to order a noncustodial parent to pay cash medical support when a minor
child has no healthcare coverage, is covered by public health insurance, or is covered by
private health insurance but there remains a need for additional funds to cover the child's
healthcare costs.
Prior law provided that cash medical support not exceed 5% of the noncustodial parent's
gross income.
New law reduced this percentage from 5% to 3%, and provides that cash medical support is
in lieu of requiring the parent to pay reimbursement for extraordinary medical expenses.
Effective upon signature of governor (May 15, 2018).
(Amends R.S. 46:236.1.1(9)-(14) and 236.1.2(L); Adds R.S. 46:236.1.1(15) and (16))