16-311. Same; duty of medical assistance recipient to inform; payments of balances upon death; conditions; liability.

16-311

Chapter 16.--CONTRACTS AND PROMISES
Article 3.--FUNERAL AND CEMETERY MERCHANDISE AGREEMENTS, CONTRACTS AND PLANS

      16-311.   Same; duty of medical assistance recipient to inform; payments of balances upon death; conditions; liability. (a) Whenever a person, who is or has been a recipient of medical assistance from the department of social and rehabilitation services, enters into a prearranged funeral agreement, contract or plan pursuant to K.S.A. 16-301, and amendments thereto, or a prearranged funeral agreement, contract or plan funded by insurance proceeds, such person shall inform the secretary of social and rehabilitation services or the secretary's designee of the existence of such an agreement, contract or plan and shall inform the funeral establishment that such person is or has been a recipient of medical assistance.

      (b)   If any balance remains after payment for the final disposition of a dead human body, or for funeral or burial services, or funeral or burial merchandise, and the purchaser of the agreement, contract, or plan is or has been a recipient of medical assistance or a deceased surviving spouse of a recipient of medical assistance, any remaining balance shall be paid according to K.S.A. 16-304, and amendments thereto, or if said agreement, contract or plan was funded by insurance, any remaining balance shall be paid by the insurance company or the person, association, partnership, firm or corporation providing the services or merchandise to the secretary of social and rehabilitation services or the secretary's designee, to the extent of medical assistance expended on the deceased recipient. The insurance company or the person, association, partnership, firm or corporation providing the services or merchandise shall not be liable to the department of social and rehabilitation services for the balance in the account if written notice has not been received stating that medical assistance has been expended on the recipient for which the department of social and rehabilitation services may have a claim, and the balance of the account has been paid to the estate of the deceased or in the case of insurance, the designated beneficiary.

      (c)   Payments to the secretary of social and rehabilitation services under subsection (b) and K.S.A. 16-304, and amendments thereto, shall be governed by subsection (g)(2) of K.S.A. 39-709, and amendments thereto.

      History:   L. 2002, ch. 106, § 3; L. 2004, ch. 36, § 2; July 1.