Sec. 287.079. PAYMENT FOR HEALTH CARE SERVICES. (a) The district without charge shall supply to a patient residing in the district the care and treatment that the patient or a relative of the patient who is legally responsible for the patient's support cannot pay.

(b) Not later than the first day of each operating year, the district shall adopt an application procedure to determine eligibility for assistance that complies with Section 61.053.

(c) The administrator of the district may have an inquiry made into the financial circumstances of:

(1) a patient residing in the district and admitted to a district facility; and

(2) a relative of the patient who is legally responsible for the patient's support.

(d) The board may adopt a sliding-fee scale for health care services provided to a patient who can pay for some, but not all, of the care and treatment provided by the district.

(e) A county that created and contracted with the district may credit a district expenditure for the care and treatment of an eligible county resident to the same extent and in the same manner the county would be able to claim the expenditure under Chapter 61 if the county made the expenditure.

(f) The board shall adopt rules regarding the collection of money that is owed to the district for health care services provided to a patient who is determined to be able to pay for all or any part of the services from a patient, a patient's estate, or a relative who is legally responsible for the patient's support.

Added by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1293, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1999.