§ 25-11-106 — Billings; assignment of insurance; collection or waiver of arrearages

(a) The department of health shall establish procedures
requiring state institutions under its direct authority and
control to provide monthly billings to each resident of the
state institution and to each legally responsible person.
Billings under this subsection for the state hospital shall
provide for an itemization, including at a minimum, the daily
established charge.
(b) The department shall obtain an assignment of benefits
from any resident under its care and supervision who has
insurance that may cover services provided.
(c) An account for established charges which is not paid
within ninety (90) days after the end of the month in which the
charges accrue is in arrears and shall be referred to the
respective department for collection. The department may
contract with a private person or agency for collection of
accounts under this subsection.
(d) The department may adjust, compromise or waive
collection of charges from the legally responsible person if the
department determines that the person is without financial means
or that collection would constitute a hardship. If the
department decides to waive collection of charges, no future
billing will be sent to a resident or legally responsible
person.