Sec. 3. (a) Subject to subsection (b) and IC 12-16-6.5-1.5, if the division is unable after prompt and diligent efforts to verify information contained in the application that is reasonably necessary to determine eligibility, the division may deny assistance under the hospital care for the indigent program. The pending expiration of the period specified in IC 12-16-6.5-1.5 is not a valid reason for denying a person's eligibility for the hospital care for the indigent program.

(b) Before denying assistance under the hospital care for the indigent program, the division must provide the person and the provider who submitted a claim under IC 12-16-4.5-8.5 written notice of:

(1) the specific information or verification needed to determine eligibility;

(2) the specific efforts undertaken to obtain the information or verification; and

(3) the statute or rule requiring the information or verification identified under subdivision (1).

(c) The division must provide the provider who submitted a claim under IC 12-16-4.5-8.5 a period of time, not less than ten (10) days beyond the deadline established under IC 12-16-6.5-1.5, to submit to the division information concerning the person's eligibility. If the division does not make a determination of the person's eligibility within ten (10) days after receiving the information under this subsection, the person is eligible without the division's determination of the person's eligibility for the hospital care for the indigent care program under this article.

As added by P.L.120-2002, SEC.21. Amended by P.L.255-2003, SEC.29; P.L.145-2005, SEC.15; P.L.212-2007, SEC.20; P.L.218-2007, SEC.31.