Vermont § 2251 - Lien established

§ 2251. Lien established

• (a) Except as otherwise provided in this section, a hospital in Vermont, as defined in
  section 1801 of this title, furnishing medical or other service, including charges of private duty nurses, to
  a patient injured by reason of an accident not covered by the Workers’ Compensation
  Act, 21 V.S.A. chapter 9, may file a lien upon any recovery for damages to be received
  by the patient, or by the patient’s heirs or personal representatives in the case
  of the patient’s death, whether by judgment or by settlement or compromise after the
  date of the services. (b)(1) Notwithstanding subsection (a) of this section, a hospital shall not have a lien under
  this chapter if the patient has health insurance, including coverage under Medicare,
  Medicaid, or a health plan issued by a health insurer, as defined in section 9402 of this title, and the patient, or the patient’s heirs or personal representatives in the case
  of the patient’s death, provides the hospital with proof of health insurance not later
  than 90 days after the patient’s discharge from or death at the hospital. (2) Notwithstanding subdivision (1) of this subsection, a hospital may file a lien pursuant
  to subsection (a) of this section for any amount owed to the hospital for the patient’s
  deductible or coinsurance, or both, under the health insurance plan for the medical
  or other services furnished by the hospital by filing notice of a lien at least 120
  days after the hospital billed the patient’s health insurance plan for the amount
  owed to the hospital for services furnished to the patient. (3) The patient’s health insurance plan shall not deny payment for services furnished
  by the hospital to the patient on the basis that some or all of the patient’s medical
  costs may be covered by a property and casualty insurance plan, unless such denial
  is required or expressly permitted by State or federal law. (c)(1) A hospital that recovers under this chapter shall be responsible for a pro rata share
  of the legal and administrative expenses incurred in obtaining the judgment, settlement,
  or compromise. (2) In no event shall the hospital lien exceed one-third of the net judgment, settlement,
  or compromise received by the injured patient. (Added 1963, No. 209, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 1963; amended 1981, No. 165 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; 2023, No. 51, § 7, eff. January 1, 2024.)