Fiscal Provisions

Wyo. Stat. Ann. tit. 25, ch. 11
in effect

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 25-11-101 Definitions.

(a) As used in this chapter: (i) "Actual cost" means the cost of providing treatment or services for a resident in a state institution including minimum costs, as set by the department having the direct authority and control of the institution, of maintaining the resident; (ii) Repealed by Laws 1991, ch. 221, § 3. (iii) "Established charge" means that part of the actual cost for which the resident, the resident's estate and legally responsible persons are liable. The established charge may equal but not exceed the actual cost; (iv) "Legally responsible person" means the resident, a responsible relative or the conservator of the resident's property as defined by W.S. 3-1-101(a)(iii); (v) "Resident" means a patient or resident voluntarily admitted or involuntarily committed to a state institution; (vi) "Responsible relative" means a resident's spouse or a resident's parents if the resident is an unemancipated minor; (vii) "State institution" means any institution in title 25 under the direct authority and control of the department of health.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 25-11-102 Department to adopt schedule of costs for services and treatments; residents' accounts.

(a) The department of health shall promulgate on or before October 1 of each year a schedule of actual costs for services and treatment rendered residents at each state institution under the direct authority and control of the department. (b) In determining actual costs the department may subtract from operation costs capital outlay and real property repair and maintenance to determine the immediate benefit to the resident. (c) An account for each resident shall record the actual costs and established charge for each month or fraction thereof. The established charge shall be paid in the manner provided in this article and credited to the account of the resident.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 25-11-103 Determining financial ability and established charges; special funds considered as part of resident's assets.

(a) Established charges shall be determined using a sliding scale promulgated by the department of health or the department of family services for each state institution under its direct authority and control. The sliding scale shall be based upon the ability of the resident or other legally responsible person to pay and shall be designed to provide that the resident or legally responsible person shall not be deprived of income necessary to maintain a reasonable standard of living for that person and his dependents. (b) Upon completion of a resident questionnaire form provided by the department, the director of the department shall determine the established charge to be assessed in each case using the sliding scale promulgated by the department. Any payor may protest his established charge through the head of the institution to the department exercising direct authority and control over the institution if still dissatisfied. The department may affirm the established charge or set a different established charge. The decision of the department may be appealed pursuant to the Wyoming Administrative Procedure Act. (c) Any available income and special funds, including but not limited to hospitalization insurance, social security benefits, disability compensation, pensions, retirement benefits and veterans' benefits shall be considered part of the total assets of a resident in determining an established charge. (d) Nothing in this chapter limits any obligation created by law or contract for third parties to pay for services provided to a resident admitted to a state institution.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 25-11-104 Reimbursement of general fund for payments.

Payments for services provided to a resident admitted to a state institution either voluntarily or involuntarily shall be reimbursed to the state general fund.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 25-11-105 Limitation on liability of responsible relatives; liability of relatives, patient and estate after release or death; exception.

(a) The liability of a parent or spouse of a resident for payment of established charges shall not exceed two (2) years of cumulative care at the state institution. Voluntary payments for care in excess of the two (2) year limitation may be accepted. This section does not limit the obligation, created by contract or law, of third party payments for resident or temporary services. (b) Subject to the limitation in subsection (a) of this section, the resident, his estate and other legally responsible persons are liable after release of the resident for the payment of any unpaid established charge. If a resident or a released resident dies, his estate is liable for all unpaid established charges unless the department exercising direct authority and control over the institution determines that no claim or a lesser claim should be filed against the estate due to the need for support from the proceeds of the estate of the legal dependents of the resident who are the beneficiaries of his estate.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 25-11-106 Billings; assignment of insurance; collection or waiver of arrearages.

(a) The department of health shall establish procedures requiring state institutions under its direct authority and control to provide monthly billings to each resident of the state institution and to each legally responsible person. Billings under this subsection for the state hospital shall provide for an itemization, including at a minimum, the daily established charge. (b) The department shall obtain an assignment of benefits from any resident under its care and supervision who has insurance that may cover services provided. (c) An account for established charges which is not paid within ninety (90) days after the end of the month in which the charges accrue is in arrears and shall be referred to the respective department for collection. The department may contract with a private person or agency for collection of accounts under this subsection. (d) The department may adjust, compromise or waive collection of charges from the legally responsible person if the department determines that the person is without financial means or that collection would constitute a hardship. If the department decides to waive collection of charges, no future billing will be sent to a resident or legally responsible person.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 25-11-107 State to bear costs of those unable to pay.

If a resident or legally responsible person has no available assets at the time of or during the resident's stay at a state institution to pay an established charge, all costs of treatment and transportation shall be borne by the state.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 25-11-108 Department to promulgate rules; forms.

The department of health shall promulgate reasonable rules and regulations and shall approve and provide forms necessary to carry out the purposes of this chapter.
Source: WY Statutes (Official Site)URL: https://wyoleg.gov/statutes/compress/title25.pdfFetched: 10/4/2026