e-NMSN - Answers to Employers' Questions

Publication Date: June 2, 2023
Current as of:

Frequently asked questions about the electronic National Medical Support Notice (e-NMSN) for employers

What is e-NMSN?

e-NMSN is an efficient and cost-effective way to electronically exchange National Medical Support Notices (NMSNs) between state child support agencies and employers, third-party providers, plan administrators, and unions.

Question

Expand

When did the e-NMSN process begin?

Design work began on the e-NMSN process after the 2019 NMSN forms were renewed by OMB. The process went live in February 2022.

Question

Expand

What are the benefits of e-NMSN?

Using e-NMSN has many benefits because it's all done electronically:

  • Health coverage may begin sooner for children.
  • Employers can submit Parts A and B, as appropriate - with additional space on the Part B Addendum for employer partner responses.
  • Supports virtual office environments - less paperwork for staff to process on location.
  • Allows child support agencies to give notice to employer partners that health coverage is no longer ordered or is no longer enforced by the child support agency
  • Employers can report terminations.
  • Data is more accurate and reliable.
  • Saves time, money, and resources!

Question

Expand

Does e-NMSN provide case-specific responses to questions?

No. If you have a case-specific question, please contact the child support agency that sent the e-NMSN.  

Question

Expand

Does the e-NMSN process send NMSNs to the employer by email?

No, the NMSNs are not delivered via email. OCSS places all files on a secure server designated by the employer for the information exchange.

Question

Expand

What hardware does an employer need to participate in the e-NMSN process?

The e-NMSN process requires either a Secure File Transfer Protocol (SFTP) server or a File Transfer Protocol Secure (FTPS) server.

Question

Expand

Does OCSS charge a fee for an employer to use e-NMSN?

No, there is no fee to enroll or participate.

Question

Expand

Does the employer come to the e-NMSN Portal to pick up orders?

No. OCSS picks up NMSN files from child support agencies and drops off the files to the employer partner’s secure server.  After the employer completes the NMSN Part A, or Parts A and B, OCSS picks up the NMSN files from the employer and drops off those files to the child support agency’s secure server.

Question

Expand

How quickly will the employer get the orders through e-NMSN?

Employer partners receive their e-NMSNs the day after the child support agency generates them.

Question

Expand

Are all states using the e-NMSN process?

The e-NMSN process is new and participation is voluntary. Not all states have implemented the process. See which states are currently participating.

Question

Expand

How does an employer or plan administrator register to use e-NMSN?

Complete one or both e-NMSN profile forms and email to: eNMSNmail@acf.hhs.gov.

Question

Expand