§ 40.1-5-33 - Payment for care and treatment. - Rhode Island Statutes

SECTION 40.1-5-33

   § 40.1-5-33  Payment for care andtreatment. – For the purposes of this chapter, facilities shall be maintained by the statefor the care, treatment, and maintenance of the mentally disabled, and thepatients may be maintained and treated in the facilities or in foster familycare, and may receive the services conditioned upon prompt and regular paymentsfor the care, maintenance, and treatment or for the services in amounts asfixed by the director. In the discretion of the director the rates so fixed maybe the reimbursement rates or in excess thereof. A preference shall be given topersons whose estate, or the person or persons legally liable for theirsupport, cannot sufficiently pay for the care and treatment, or for theservices in licensed private facilities or from sources outside the department.The director in his or her discretion may accept payments for services at lessthan the reimbursement rates, but the acceptance of the lesser payments shallnot release the patient, his or her estate, or relatives, if they havesufficient financial ability, from the obligation to make up the differencebetween the amount fixed, accepted, or paid and the full reimbursement rates.