26-15-136. Assignment of insurance proceeds to doctor, hospital or state agency; lien for state care; notice of lien.

(a) Whenever a contract by a third party agency provides for payment to a beneficiary under the contract for expenses incurred by him for medical, surgical or hospital care, the beneficiary shall assign the benefits of the contract to the Wyoming department of health or any doctor or hospital, or other practitioner rendering the care in an amount equal to the value of the care rendered. Notification sent by registered or certified mail to the third party agency, with a copy to the insured, shall provide authority for the payment directly by the third party agency to the assignee. The state shall have a lien, in an amount equal to the care rendered, on the proceeds of the contracts for care rendered by any hospital, institution or other facility, written notice of which shall provide authority for payment directly by the third party agency to the state.

(b) Whenever there is in existence a contract between an insurer and an insured for payment to, or on behalf of, an applicant or recipient of medical assistance under the contract for expenses incurred by the applicant or recipient for medical services, including physician services, nursing services, pharmaceutical services, surgical care and hospital care, the assignment of the benefits of the contract by the applicant or recipient or a legally liable party shall, upon receipt of notice from the assignee, provide authority for payment by the insurer directly to the assignee. If notice is provided by the assignee to the insurer in accordance with the provisions of W.S 42-4-204, the insurer shall be liable to the assignee for any amount payable to the assignee under the contract.