INDIGENT ACCIDENT FUND

The Fund for Hospital Care for Indigent Persons, or the Indigent Accident Fund, commonly referred to as the IAF, was created in May 1983 by the enactment and passage of amendments to the Nevada Revised Statues, Chapter 428, Section 115 through 255 inclusive for the purpose of reimbursing hospitals for some of the vast amounts of expenses realized from the treatment of indigent motor vehicle accident victims.  Funding for this program is provided for in a $0.015 ad valorem tax on each $100.00 of assessed valuation of all taxable property in each county, collected by each county and remitted monthly to the State Treasurer (NRS 428.185).  The county of residence of a person is the county in which he is physically present with the intent to reside, at least for an indefinite period.  For purposes of the Fund, if a person is not a resident of the state of Nevada but is injured in the state and cared for by a hospital in the state, the county of residence is considered the county in which the person was injured.

A hospital wishing to file a claim for cost reimbursement involving services provided to an indigent victim of a motor vehicle accident must adhere to the predetermined procedures.  The county reviews the application from the hospital for completeness, verifies the patient’s indigency and determines eligibility for the IAF.  The hospital then will send the entire packed with the signed original Certification of Indigency to the Fund.

The Board of Trustees of the Fund for Hospital Care to Indigent Persons meets twice a year to review claims for payment. The staff of NACO reviews the cases for completeness and computes the amount of reimbursement.  The staff will notify the counties and hospitals when their cases will be heard before the IAF Board.  Upon approval of the Board of Trustees, the staff will file a request for payment with the State Risk Management Office for hospitals to receive reimbursement.

SUPPLEMENTAL FUND

The Supplemental Fund for medical assistance to indigent persons was created in 1985 to assist counties with catastrophic indigent hospital bills when the county had exhausted their regular indigent budget.  NRS 428.265 through NRS 428.345 outlines the responsibilities of the Board of Trustees the Fund for Hospital Care to Indigent Persons and the administration of the Fund.  Funding for this program is provided through a $0.01 ad valorem tax on each $100.00 of assessed value of all taxable property in each county.  These funds are remitted to the State Treasurer for credit to this Fund.

In order for a county to request reimbursement through the Supplemental Fund, a county must have expended 90% of their indigent budget and the hospital bill must be over $25,000.  The county is responsible for the first $25,000 of billed charges.  All original claims, as well as a spreadsheet, are submitted to the Supplemental Fund by each county once a year, prior to the May Board meeting.  Claims are reviewed for completeness, and certification by the responsible county that the patient is indigent and the county has expended 90% of their indigent budget.  The county deductible of $25,000 will be subtracted from each claim.  The balance will be paid based on the amount of funds available in the Supplemental Fund to each county for reimbursement to the hospitals.