My support order states that my ex is to pay 75% of unreimbursed medical and dental expenses. I recently submitted these bills to DRS and he refused to pay. We went to the contempt conference and they agreed with him that he doesn't have to pay for the expenses because they are considered cosmetic. My son had his teeth knocked out in an accident and has undergone many surgeries, including dental implants. He will soon be ready for the final phase of the operations and have his teeth by April. I can't believe that ANYONE would deem having their 2 front teeth cosmetic. I did the best thing for my son and got him the best care for now and for the long term results as well. I am shocked that officers could deem this cosmetic! I plan to appeal the decision and take it to a masters hearing. Does anyone have any first hand knowledge or advice that they can share with me regarding payment of unreimbursed med bills and how to get the absent ex to step up?

My support order states that my ex is to pay 75% of unreimbursed medical and dental expenses. I recently submitted these bills to DRS and he refused to pay. We went to the contempt conference and they agreed with him that he doesn't have to pay for the expenses because they are considered cosmetic. My son had his teeth knocked out in an accident and has undergone many surgeries, including dental implants. He will soon be ready for the final phase of the operations and have his teeth by April. I can't believe that ANYONE would deem having their 2 front teeth cosmetic. I did the best thing for my son and got him the best care for now and for the long term results as well. I am shocked that officers could deem this cosmetic! I plan to appeal the decision and take it to a masters hearing. Does anyone have any first hand knowledge or advice that they can share with me regarding payment of unreimbursed med bills and how to get the absent ex to step up?

Apparently the problem is that while your son needed dental work. you chose to go the expensive route. (please don't misunderstand, I do fully understand why you wanted the best for your son, and I personally don't fault you for that). Unfortunately, the dental implants *might* not have been actually medically needed. A bridge could have been done, and sadly, the law and Judges see only what is basically neccasary.

Will the Dentist be willing to testify as to why a bridge would definately NOT have worked? By that, I mean there's going to have to be a medical reason that it wouldn't have worked, not just because implants are better. I know, it stinks, but hopefully the dentist will be able to help.

One thing you can try though is to request the court to order 75% of a lessor amount. A good example would be to find out what the cost would have been for the least amount of dental work and start with that figure. Hopefully the master will see that although the expenses may not have been "medically neccesary" that ex is still responsible for at least some of the expense.
Do you have an attorney? If not, try to find some case law for your state for similar situations, that might help in court also.Please post and let me know how it works out.