Section 25-11-103 - Determining financial ability and established charges; special funds considered as part of resident's assets(a) Established charges shall be determined using a sliding scale promulgated by the department of health or the department of family services for each state institution under its direct authority and control. The sliding scale shall be based upon the ability of the resident or other legally responsible person to pay and shall be designed to provide that the resident or legally responsible person shall not be deprived of income necessary to maintain a reasonable standard of living for that person and his dependents. (b) Upon completion of a resident questionnaire form provided by the department, the director of the department shall determine the established charge to be assessed in each case using the sliding scale promulgated by the department. Any payor may protest his established charge through the head of the institution to the department exercising direct authority and control over the institution if still dissatisfied. The department may affirm the established charge or set a different established charge. The decision of the department may be appealed pursuant to the Wyoming Administrative Procedure Act. (c) Any available income and special funds, including but not limited to hospitalization insurance, social security benefits, disability compensation, pensions, retirement benefits and veterans' benefits shall be considered part of the total assets of a resident in determining an established charge. (d) Nothing in this chapter limits any obligation created by law or contract for third parties to pay for services provided to a resident admitted to a state institution.