Rhode Island General Laws 40.1-2-5. Duty of patient to pay charges for care and treatment – Court action for collection
Every patient shall pay, from the patient’s estate, all charges billed to the patient for care and treatment in a facility. The department may undertake any action, including, but not limited to, court action, to reach the estate of a patient who has accrued unpaid charges for care and treatment. The department may also accept less than the full amount owed in full settlement, in accordance with rules and regulations promulgated pursuant to § 40.1-2-2.
History of Section.
P.L. 1989, ch. 520, § 2.
Terms Used In Rhode Island General Laws 40.1-2-5
- Care and treatment: means the health services provided on an inpatient or outpatient basis in any facility directly operated by the department. See Rhode Island General Laws 40.1-2-1
- Charges: means the full and customary charges for care and treatment in each facility. See Rhode Island General Laws 40.1-2-1
- Department: means the department of behavioral healthcare, developmental disabilities and hospitals. See Rhode Island General Laws 40.1-2-1
- Facility: means any institutional or other treatment program operated directly by the department. See Rhode Island General Laws 40.1-2-1
- Patient: means :
(i) Every individual who receives care and treatment in a facility, and/or that individual's spouse;
(ii) The patient's legal guardian or conservator;
(iii) The executor or administrator of the patient's estate if the patient is deceased;
(iv) Any family member, friend, or other individual who has possession or control of all or part of the patient's estate. See Rhode Island General Laws 40.1-2-1
- Settlement: Parties to a lawsuit resolve their difference without having a trial. Settlements often involve the payment of compensation by one party in satisfaction of the other party's claims.