Health and Safety Code § 13.038

Sec. 13.038. CLASSIFICATION OF PATIENTS; LIEN. (a) A patient admitted to a public health hospital is a public patient and classified as indigent, nonindigent, or nonresident. (b) An indigent public patient is a person who: (1) does not possess property of any kind; (2) has no person who is legally responsible for the patient's support; and (3) is unable to reimburse the state. (c) A nonindigent public patient is a person who possesses property out of which the state may be reimbursed, or who has a person who is legally responsible for the patient's support. (d) Except as provided by Section 13.040, the state shall support and maintain an indigent or nonindigent public patient at state expense but is entitled to reimbursement for a nonindigent public patient's support. (e) The state's claim for nonindigent support and maintenance constitutes a lien against the property of the patient or the legally responsible person who is financially able to contribute. (f) A nonresident public patient is a person who is admitted in accordance with an interstate agreement under Section 13.046. Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 678, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1989. Amended by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 107, Sec. 2, eff. Sept. 1, 2003. Amended by: Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1 (S.B. 219), Sec. 3.0058, eff. April 2, 2015.