Collection of deductible or copayment from indigent patient covered by Medicare prohibited. [Effective upon confirmation by the Federal Government that the deductibles and copayments which a hospital is prohibited from collecting from a patient pursuant to this section are deemed uncollectible for the purposes of federal law.] A major hospital shall not collect or seek to collect the deductible or copayment from a patient who is covered by Medicare and who demonstrates that he is medically indigent, as that term is defined for the purposes of Medicaid coverage for persons in long-term care. The hospital may seek and collect payment for the deductible or copayment from any source other than the patient, including from the supplemental insurance of the patient.
Last modified: February 26, 2006