50-06.3-03. Fees and expenses chargeable against patients

50-06.3-03. Fees and expenses chargeable against patients Expenses for care and treatment of each patient at the state hospital must be in accordance with the cost of providing care and treatment for the different degrees or conditions of mental and physical health and charges may be adjusted in accordance with the patient's or other responsible party's ability to pay which must include an estimate of potential future receipts including amounts from estates. The department shall recover expenses charged for care and treatment. The department may not recover expenses under this chapter for care and treatment of a patient transferred to the state hospital from a jail or regional corrections center. If any patient is receiving social security benefits or is a veteran who has received, is receiving, or is entitled to receive compensation or pension from the veterans' administration, the expenses are a current claim against the patient and may be recovered monthly by the department except that any amount required by the payor of the benefits to be paid directly to the patient must be credited to the patient's personal account from any money thus received.