Uniform criteria for the identification of indigent persons.
For the purpose of identifying indigent persons, all hospitals shall use the following criteria:
(1) All responsible parties with family income equal to or below one hundred percent of the federal poverty standard, adjusted for family size, shall be determined to be indigent persons qualifying for charity sponsorship for the full amount of hospital charges related to appropriate hospital-based medical services that are not covered by private or public third-party sponsorship;
(2) All responsible parties with family income between one hundred one and two hundred percent of the federal poverty standard, adjusted for family size, shall be determined to be indigent persons qualifying for discounts from charges related to appropriate hospital-based medical services in accordance with the hospital's sliding fee schedule and policies regarding individual financial circumstances;
(3) Hospitals may classify any individual responsible party whose income exceeds two hundred percent of the federal poverty standard, adjusted for family size, as an indigent person eligible for a discount from charges based upon that responsible party's individual financial circumstances.
[Statutory Authority: RCW
70.170.060. WSR 91-05-048 (Order 142), ยง 246-453-040, filed 2/14/91, effective 3/17/91.]