37-9-4. Liability of patient for cost of care; time of payment; inability of department to collect assessment from patient or failure of patient’s assessment to cover cost of care.

Each patient receiving services from a state hospital shall be legally responsible for, and shall pay to the department, the cost of his care received from a state hospital. Payments for cost of care shall be payable following the receipt of services in accordance with standards and procedures established by the board. In the event the department is unable to collect the assessment from the patient or in the event the patient’s assessment is less than the full cost of care for such patient, all other persons liable for the cost of care for such patient shall pay to the department their respective assessments as provided by Code Section 37-9-5.