H.R. 8164 — Ensuring Child Health Coverage Compensation in Divorce Act of 2026

This section establishes requirements under the Public Health Service Act, the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP), and federal health care programs (i.e., Medicare, Medicaid, CHIP, and TRICARE) for plans or programs providing a child's benefits through a noncustodial parent (including stepparent) coverage pursuant to a medical child support order. Specifically, such plans, issuers, carriers, or programs must (1) provide the custodial parent with necessary information for the child to obtain benefits; (2) permit the custodial parent (or provider, with the custodial parent's approval) to submit claims without the noncustodial parent's approval; and (3) make payments directly to the custodial parent, provider, or applicable State agency. The requirements apply to plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2026. (Thus, custodial parents gain direct access to submit claims and receive payments for the child's covered services.)