Sec. 10.02.01.09. Billing and Collection of Charges and Fees

A. Billings and collections for care rendered in State operated inpatient facilities shall be calculated by the Department in accordance with the following procedures:

(1) The Department shall conduct a financial investigation of a recipient of services or chargeable persons' ability-to-pay in accordance with the requirements of COMAR 10.04.02.03 and COMAR 10.04.02.04;

(2) Based on the foregoing investigation, the Department shall prepare a Notice of Rate Establishment Form setting forth that portion of those charges for which the recipient of services or chargeable person shall be responsible;

(3) Upon receipt of the Notice of Rate Establishment, a recipient of services or chargeable person may, within 10 days, request the Division to conduct an informal review of the billing in accordance with COMAR 10.02.03.04, or may note an appeal from the billing in accordance with COMAR 10.02.03.05, or both.

B. The Secretary may require each local health department and other provider to submit for approval or modification a plan for billing and collection of charges, fees, and insurance benefits.

C. This plan shall set forth:

(1) The procedures to be followed in applying the ability-to-pay determination method and schedule;

(2) The methods to be used for collecting the charges, fees, and insurance benefits;

(3) The methods for receiving and accounting for all sums of money collected;

(4) The procedure to be followed in making a reasonable effort to collect unpaid amounts due; and

(5) The procedure to write off unpaid amounts due, as appropriate.