Health, Department of

Chapter 1: Volunteer Health Services Program

Effective Date: 02/20/2019 to Current

Rule Type: Current Rules & Regulations

Reference Number: 048.0073.1.02202019

VOLUNTEER HEALTH SERVICES PROGRAM

Section 1. Authority.

(a) This Chapter is promulgated by the Department of Health pursuant to the Volunteer Health Services Program Act at Wyoming Statutes §§ 35-31-101 through 35-31-103.

Section 2. Purpose.

(a) The rules in this chapter are adopted to implement a volunteer health services program under which the Department may execute contracts with health care providers and medical facilities to deliver volunteer health care services to low income persons, and the Wyoming Governmental Claims Act shall apply to those providers and facilities.

(b) The Department may issue manuals and bulletins to interpret the provisions of this Chapter. Such manuals and bulletins shall be consistent with and reflect the policies contained in this chapter. The provisions contained in manuals or bulletins shall be subordinate to the provisions of this Chapter.

Section 3. Definitions.

(a) The definitions contained in Wyoming Statute § 35-31-101 are incorporated. Except as otherwise specified, the terminology used in this Chapter has the standard meaning used in health care.

Section 4. Volunteer Health Services, Application of Claims Act, Requirements.

(a) For purposes of the Volunteer Health Services Program (the program), a health care provider, in order to be considered a public employee, or a medical facility, in order to be considered a medical facility of the state, shall enter into a fully executed volunteer health services contract with the Department, on a form approved by the Wyoming Attorney General, before providing volunteer health care covered by the program. The contract shall be in substantial compliance with the provisions of Wyoming Statute § 35-31-102(b) through (e).

(b) Before treating a patient who will be covered under a contract pursuant to the program, the treating health care provider or facility shall obtain the signature of the patient or the patient's representative on a disclosure form that meets the requirements of Wyoming Statute § 35-31-103, is approved by the Department, and attests that the patient meets the qualifications of Wyoming Statute § 35-31-101(a)(iv).

(c) The Department, health care provider, or medical facility may terminate the contract upon written notice of its intent to terminate at least five (5) business days before the contract termination date, unless the Department determines that immediate termination is necessary to protect the safety of patients. A contract with a provider shall be deemed terminated immediately upon suspension or revocation of the provider’s authority to practice pursuant to the applicable chapter of Title 33 of the Wyoming Statutes. A contract with a medical facility shall be deemed terminated immediately upon suspension or revocation of the facility’s license pursuant to Wyoming Statute § 35-2-905.

Section 5. Superseding Effect.

(a) This Chapter supersedes all prior rules or policy statements issued by the Wyoming Department or its designee, including manuals and bulletins that are inconsistent with this Chapter.

Section 6. Severability.

(a) If any portion of these rules is found invalid or unenforceable, the remainder shall continue in effect.