(a) To receive assistance under this chapter, a patient or a patient's legal representative must apply in writing on a form provided by the department. A patient must apply for assistance within 180 days after the date of discharge from the facility.

(b) A patient is considered to have applied for assistance under (a) of this section if the evaluation facility or designated treatment facility notifies the department on a form provided by the department that there is good cause to believe that the patient would be eligible for assistance under this chapter and

(1) the patient, the patient's spouse, or the patient's parent if the patient is under 18 years of age failed within 150 days after the date of discharge from the facility to make arrangements to pay the evaluation facility or designated treatment facility; or

(2) the patient lacks the mental capacity to apply for benefits under this chapter.

(c) A patient who applies or is considered to have applied for assistance under this chapter, the patient's spouse, the patient's parent if the patient is under 18 years of age, or a person in the patient's household shall release records and information to the department necessary to verify eligibility for the assistance.

(d) If a patient, the patient's spouse, the patient's parent if the patient is under 18 years of age, or a person in the patient's household fails to provide records and information to the department necessary to verify eligibility, the department may issue an administrative order imposing full liability for the patient's cost of care and treatment to the evaluation facility or designated treatment facility.