PAYMENT FOR TREATMENT; PROCEDURES.

(a) When a patient from Martin County is admitted to a district facility, the district administrator shall have an inquiry made into the circumstances of:

(1) the patient; and

(2) the patient's relatives who are legally liable for the patient's support.

(b) If the district administrator determines that the patient or those relatives cannot pay all or part of the costs of the care and treatment in the hospital, the amount of the costs that cannot be paid becomes a charge against the district.

(c) If the district administrator determines that the patient or those relatives are liable for all or part of the costs of the patient's care and treatment, the patient or those relatives shall be ordered to pay to the district a specified amount each week for the patient's care. The amount ordered must be proportionate to the person's financial ability and may not exceed the usual and customary charges for services rendered.

(d) The district administrator may collect the amount from the estate of the patient, or the patient's relatives who are legally liable for the patient's support, in the manner provided by law for the collection of expenses of the last illness of a deceased person.

(e) If there is a dispute as to the ability to pay, or doubt in the mind of the district administrator, the county court shall hold a hearing and, after calling witnesses, shall:

(1) resolve the dispute or doubt; and

(2) issue an appropriate order.

(f) Either party to the dispute may appeal the order to the district court.