insurance card for non-custodial parent

[SandieTN]

(cross posted to Child Custody forum)

What is the name of your state? Tennessee

My husband's ex- is "insisting" on a copy of our insurance card for their daughter. My husband has custody, and maintains insurance. When she had a copy of his insurance coverage in the past, she would take daughter to the Dr. on her whim; the Dr. would diagnose a cold or allergies, or some such thing we were already aware of, and my husband would be sent the bill. Thus far, he has not given her a copy of his new insurance card this year.

Legally, can he refuse to provide her a copy of the card? Mom has the option to take daughter to the Dr. Dad has selected, but she doesn't want to take her there. She wants her own choice.

Any help would be appreciated!

 

[cbg]

I don't know of any law that says he has to give her a copy of the insurance card.

However, you're mistaken if you think that he can prevent her from taking the child to the doctor, or the doctor of her choice, by refusing her a copy. All she has to do is say, "Suzy is covered under her father's policy. It's with ABC insurance and his employer is XYZ Company". The doctor's office calls up the ABC insurance company, asks them to look under the policy for the XYZ company and see if Suzy is listed under her father's name. They see that she is; they recite back the policy number and there we are.

Or alternately, she says, "My ex-husband has a new policy and I don't have the insurance information yet; I'll call you with it in the morning". Then when they don't get the insurance information, they send a copy of the bill; she forwards it to your husband, and there we are again.

Those are only two possibilities. I'm sure she can think of several others.

The fact is, insurance companies are well aware that between divorces, second marriages, slow mailing times and so on, there are any number of reasons why a parent may not have a copy of the insurance card. As we used to tell people when I worked for an insurance carrier, it's quite possible to have valid insurance coverage without having a card. All the doctor's office really needs is the customer service phone number. And I assure you, they have that. It would be unusual for them to deny medical care in the absence of an insurance card.

So while he can refuse her a copy of the card, it's unlikely that this will accomplish what he wants it to.

 

[SandieTN]

Thanks for your response! He is not trying to keep her from taking daughter to the Dr.; he is simply trying to control the when and why. A couple of years ago, she took daughter to a Dr. who she was well aware was NOT on the provider list, and he wound up with a $600 bill (which he refused to pay). Our coverage has a $25 co-pay, which he has had to pay every time, because Mom never has the money.

His thought is if he provides coverage, and pays the bills, he should have some input into where she is taken. He knows if he gives her the card, it will open the door to all sorts of unnecessary visits, just like before. That's what he wants to prevent. He understands Mom can/will take her to any Dr. or clinic she pleases, but without the insurance card, or the money, it will not be as easy. Mom has our home phone number, work number and cell phone number; and he works in the same town she lives in. So, finding him if the need arises should be no problem, unless she is planning on leaving town (which is always a possibility).

Anyway, thanks, again for your response.

 

[cbg]

Don't misunderstand me. I understand his goal. I'm just not convinced that refusing to give her a copy of the insurance card is going to accomplish that goal. There are plenty of legitimate reasons why an individual would not have an insurance card available and medical providers are aware of that. Insurance information is not protected under HIPAA so it can be obtained without his permission.