Sec. 18. (a) This section applies to a county having a consolidated city.

(b) The county home board shall fix a schedule of charges for the care and maintenance of patients or residents and the effective date of the schedule. A schedule of charges established under this section is not effective until after the charges have been approved by resolution of the city-county council. In establishing the schedule of charges, the county home board may fix different rates based on different types or classes of care. If the home is licensed under state or federal laws that authorize or fix different classes of care, those classifications authorized or fixed by law are a sufficient basis for classification in the schedule of charges. The schedule of charges may also provide that separate and additional charges may be charged for special treatments, drugs, medical service, appliances, and other auxiliary services that are not included in the classification of care.

(c) This section is the exclusive basis of determining the charges to be made to patients and residents of a county home and the provisions of any other laws regarding those rates, including laws concerning county institutions, relief of poor persons, township trustees, county offices of the division of family resources, and boards of commissioners, do not apply. However, a rate established under this section must be based on a fair and reasonable estimate of the cost of the care and may not anticipate any profit from rendering the care.

[Pre-1992 Revision Citation: 12-4-3-9(a), (b).]

As added by P.L.2-1992, SEC.24. Amended by P.L.4-1993, SEC.226; P.L.5-1993, SEC.239; P.L.145-2006, SEC.129.