Payment for hospital care.

A. Consistent with the federal act, the department shall provide necessary hospital care for recipients of public assistance other than those eligible under the general assistance program authorized by Section 10 [27-2-7 NMSA 1978] of the Public Assistance Act. The rate of payment for in-patient hospital services shall be based either on the reasonable cost or the customary cost of such services, whichever is less. In determining reasonable cost under this section, the board shall adopt regulations establishing a formula consistent with the federal act. The department shall apply that formula to determine the amount to which each hospital is entitled as reimbursement for providing in-patient hospital services. B. To receive reimbursement for providing in-patient hospital services, a hospital shall file annually with the department such information as the department may reasonably require to determine reasonable costs or the hospital's customary cost of in- patient hospital services. C. Any hospital entitled to reimbursement for in-patient hospital services shall be entitled to a hearing, pursuant to regulations of the board consistent with applicable state law, if the hospital disagrees with the department's determination of the reimbursement the hospital is to receive.