§ 16-24-1-21 — Payment for care and treatment; liability

(a) Whenever a patient is admitted to the
hospital from the county in which the hospital is located, the
superintendent shall inquire:
(1) as to the patient's circumstances; and
(2) of the relatives of the patient legally liable for the patient's
support.
(b) If the patient or the patient's relatives are able to pay for the
patient's care and treatment in whole or in part, the patient or the
patient's relatives shall be directed to pay the treasurer of the hospital
for the patient's support in proportion to the patient's or relatives'
financial ability, but not to exceed the actual per capita cost of
maintenance.
(c) The superintendent has the same authority to collect the sum
from the estate of the patient or the patient's relatives legally liable for
the patient's support as is possessed by the township trustee as
administrator of township assistance in similar circumstances. If the
superintendent finds that the patient or the patient's relatives are not
able to pay either in whole or in part the patient becomes a charge upon
the county.
[Pre-1993 Recodification Citation: 16-11-1-7.]

Legislative History

As added by P.L.2-1993, SEC.7. Amended by P.L.73-2005, SEC.165.