(a) A patient admitted to a public health hospital is a public patient and classified as indigent, nonindigent, or nonresident.
(b) An indigent public patient is a person who:
(1) does not possess property of any kind;
(2) has no person who is legally responsible for the patient’s support; and
(3) is unable to reimburse the state.

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Terms Used In Texas Health and Safety Code 13.038

  • Lien: A claim against real or personal property in satisfaction of a debt.
  • Person: includes corporation, organization, government or governmental subdivision or agency, business trust, estate, trust, partnership, association, and any other legal entity. See Texas Government Code 311.005
  • Property: means real and personal property. See Texas Government Code 311.005

(c) A nonindigent public patient is a person who possesses property out of which the state may be reimbursed, or who has a person who is legally responsible for the patient’s support.
(d) Except as provided by § 13.040, the state shall support and maintain an indigent or nonindigent public patient at state expense but is entitled to reimbursement for a nonindigent public patient’s support.
(e) The state’s claim for nonindigent support and maintenance constitutes a lien against the property of the patient or the legally responsible person who is financially able to contribute.
(f) A nonresident public patient is a person who is admitted in accordance with an interstate agreement under § 13.046.