§ 12-30-7-33 — Financial investigation of patient; support order; liability of patient's estate and relatives; reimbursement from public assistance programs

(a) Whenever a patient has been admitted to
a health center from the county in which the health center is situated,
the administrator shall cause an inquiry to be made as to the financial
circumstances of the patient and of any relatives of the patient who may
be legally liable for the patient's support. If the administrator finds that
the patient or the patient's relatives are able to pay for the patient's care
and treatment, in whole or in part, an order shall be made directing the
patient or the relative to pay a specified amount per month to the health
center for the support of the patient.
(b) The health center may collect the amount from the estate of the
patient or from relatives legally liable for the patient's support. If the
administrator finds that the patient or the patient's relatives are not able
to pay, the administrator may seek reimbursement from the county
office, Medicare, Medicaid, private insurance companies, the township
trustee as the administrator of township assistance, or the county
general fund, depending on the eligibility of the patient for assistance
from the county office or program.
[Pre-1992 Revision Citation: 12-4-6-11.]

Legislative History

As added by P.L.2-1992, SEC.24. Amended by P.L.4-1993, SEC.228; P.L.5-1993, SEC.241; P.L.73-2005, SEC.164.