The district may set residency and service criteria, investigate ability to pay, and must provide care without charge when the patient or responsible relative cannot pay.
Sec. 1015.113. PAYMENT FOR TREATMENT; PROCEDURES. (a) Each year, the board may set criteria for determining residency, eligibility for a service, and the type of services available. (b) When a person who resides in the district is admitted as a patient to a district facility, the district administrator may have an inquiry made into the financial circumstances of: (1) the patient; and (2) a relative of the patient who is legally responsible for the patient's support. (c) To the extent that the patient or a relative of the patient who is legally responsible for the patient's support cannot pay for care and treatment provided by the district, the district shall supply the care and treatment without charging the patient or the patient's relative. (d) On determining that the patient or a relative legally responsible for the patient's support can pay for all or part of the care and treatment provided by the district, the district administrator shall report that determination to the board, and the board shall issue an order directing the patient or the relative to pay the district a specified amount each week. The amount must be based on the person's ability to pay. (e) The district administrator may collect the money owed to the district from the patient's estate or from that of a relative who was legally responsible for the patient's support in the manner provided by law for the collection of expenses of the last illness of a deceased person. (f) If there is a dispute relating to a person's ability to pay or if the district administrator has any doubt concerning a person's ability to pay, the board shall: (1) call witnesses; (2) hear and resolve the question; and (3) issue a final order. (g) The final order of the board may be appealed to a district court in the county in which the district is located. The substantial evidence rule applies to the appeal. Added by Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 920 (H.B. 3166), Sec. 1.02, eff. April 1, 2009.