119th (2025–2027)
H.R. 8164
The Ensuring Child Health Coverage Compensation in Divorce Act of 2026 requires health insurance plans and programs to streamline how custodial parents access and pay for their children's medical care when coverage comes through a noncustodial parent's plan. Specifically, the bill mandates that group health plans, individual health insurers, the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program, and federal health care programs must provide custodial parents with necessary information about the child's coverage, allow claims to be submitted without the noncustodial parent's permission, and send payments directly to the custodial parent or healthcare provider rather than to the noncustodial parent. This legislation affects divorced or separated parents and their children who rely on the noncustodial parent's health insurance. The bill contains no new federal funding requirements, as it primarily imposes operational changes on existing insurance plans and programs. The requirements take effect on January 1, 2026, for plan years beginning on or after that date.