§ 16-24-2-10 — Patient's financial circumstances; inquiry; payment according to ability

Whenever a patient is admitted to the
hospital from the county in which the hospital is situated, the
superintendent shall inquire into the circumstances of the patient and
of the relatives of the patient legally liable for the patient's support. If
the superintendent finds that the patient or the patient's relatives are
able to pay for care and treatment, in whole or in part, the
superintendent shall direct the patient or the patient's relatives to pay
to the treasurer of the hospital a specified amount each week, in
proportion to the patient's or the patient's relatives' financial ability. The
hospital has the same authority to collect from the estate of the patient,
or the patient's relatives legally liable for the patient's support, as the
township trustee as administrator of township assistance in similar
cases. If the patient or the patient's relatives are not able to pay, either
in whole or in part, the care and treatment become a charge upon the
county.
[Pre-1993 Recodification Citation: 16-11-6-9.]

Legislative History

As added by P.L.2-1993, SEC.7. Amended by P.L.73-2005, SEC.167.