CLASSIFICATION OF PATIENTS; LIEN.
Tex. HEALTH & SAFETY Code § 13.038.
in effect(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.