### Question
Can you define what medical child support order means?


### Answer
**Medical child support order** is defined as the following in *29 U.S.C. § 1169*:

> any judgment, decree, or order (including approval of a settlement agreement) which—


(i) provides for child support with respect to a child of a participant under a group health plan or provides for health benefit coverage to such a child, is made pursuant to a State domestic relations law (including a community property law), and relates to benefits under such plan, or


(ii) is made pursuant to a law relating to medical child support described in section 1908 of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. 1396g–1] (as added by section 13822 [1](#1169_1_target) of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993) with respect to a group health plan,


  

if such judgment, decree, or order (I) is issued by a court of competent jurisdiction or (II) is issued through an administrative process established under State law and has the force and effect of law under applicable State law

#### Citation:
  - *29 U.S.C. § 1169*
  - Heading: **CHAPTER 18-EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT INCOME SECURITY PROGRAM > SUBCHAPTER I-PROTECTION OF EMPLOYEE BENEFIT RIGHTS > Subtitle B-Regulatory Provisions > part 6-continuation coverage and additional standards for group health plans**

