R.I. Gen. Laws § 40.1-2-3: Investigation of patient’s estate and eligibility for third-party programs — Billing.

The department shall investigate each patient’s estate and shall also continually monitor each patient’s eligibility for third-party programs. The department shall seek payment or contribution for the charges for each patient’s care and treatment from every third-party program for which the patient is eligible. The department shall bill the patient for any charges not covered by third-party programs in accordance with the rules and regulations promulgated pursuant to § 40.1-2-2; provided, however, that the department shall not bill the patient for any charges paid by a third-party program.