WILLIAM DONALD SCHAEFER, Governor                    Ch. 607

relatives of the recipient of the services under certain
circumstances; requiring the Department of Health and Mental
Hygiene to adopt certain regulations; redefining certain
terms; limiting the financial responsibilities of a
chargeable person based on certain payments for the care
provided to a recipient of services; clarifying that certain
insurance payments may not be considered as payments paid by
a chargeable person for the purpose of determining a
recipient of services total lifetime hospitalization; and
generally relating to the reimbursements and collection
practice of the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments,

Article - Health - General
Section 16-102, 16-202, and 16-203
Annotated Code of Maryland
(1982 Volume and 1986 Supplement)

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
MARYLAND, That the Laws of Maryland read as follows:

Article - Health - General

16-102.

(a)  It is the policy of this State to obligate each
recipient of services and, to the extent provided in this title,
those legally responsible for the recipient to pay, if
financially able, for the cost of care that is received by the
recipient of services. Unless otherwise provided by statute, the
recipient of services and the chargeable person shall be
responsible for payment regardless of whether the recipient of
services was admitted voluntarily, involuntarily, or by court
order. If the recipient of services is involuntarily admitted to
a public facility and released after evaluation, for failure to
meet the standards for involuntary commitment, the recipient of
services or chargeable person shall not be responsible for the
cost of care.

(b)  The total cost of care of each recipient of services
is, in the first instance, the responsibility of [this State.
However, the discharge of this responsibility does not relieve
the recipient of services or, as provided in this title,
chargeable persons of their obligation to repay the cost of care
to this State] THE RECIPIENT OF SERVICES AND, AS PROVIDED IN THIS
TITLE, THE CHARGEABLE PERSON. ANY UNCOLLECTIBLE COSTS FOR
SERVICES PROVIDED TO THE RECIPIENT SHALL BECOME THE
RESPONSIBILITY OF THIS STATE.

16-202.

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