Vt. Stat. Ann. tit. 18, § 8102

As used in section 8101 of this title, “charge for the care or treatment” of a patient means an amount not exceeding the actual cost of the care and treatment. Actual cost shall mean either the rate provided for by a contract lawfully entered into under this part of this title or, in the absence of a contract, a per diem rate as determined under section 8105 of this title.