WTF? Ramsey County Bills Crisis Line Users, Then Doubles Down

Imagine being in such mental distress that you're seriously contemplating ending your life. A lot of us don't have to imagine that situation. My brain was in that place a few years ago, and you know saved me and countless others facing that plight? The crisis line.

If you're having a mental health crisis, call or text 988, 24/7. It's free and confidential.

Ramsey County is Billing Crisis Hotline Users, Then Responds to Questions With B.S.

Brains - for being absolutely miraculous in what they do - can also be dumb. Through no fault of our own, they can suddenly turn on us: aneurysms, mental illness, believing that Creed is the greatest hard rock band of all time (that probably falls under 'mental illness' but I digress).

Scott Stapp Performs At The Joint In Las Vegas

There are already enough obstacles to getting help when in a mental health crisis. Money is one of those obstacles. The American healthcare system (and the health insurance companies) sucks.

Ramsey County apparently looked at that and said, "Hold my beer".

A Ramsey County man was in the midst of a mental health crisis. It was so bad that a family friend called the Ramsey County crisis hotline. The good news: a mobile crisis response team was dispatched, and he got the help he desperately needed.

The bad news: he got billed for $342.

You may think that $342 is a small price to pay for still being alive, but here's the thing: that's still a LOT of money for a LOT of people. And any second-guessing about getting help when in crisis is a bad thing. A very bad thing.

When Fox 9 investigated the incident, Ramsey County (from now on referred to as "Greg" because I'm lazy and Greg sucks) responded with a bunch of bullsh!t.

• Greg claimed that federal law requires them to bill residents beyond insurance. When asked about that law, Greg backed down.
• Greg claimed that state grants for mobile crisis teams require billing residents directly. The Minnesota Department of Human Services does NOT require billing residents directly.
• Greg says the public usually understands there will be costs associated with services. Greg makes no mention of a fee on Greg's website or in the published fee schedule.
• Greg claims to offer a sliding-fee option based on financial needs. The bills make no mention of a sliding-fee or even alternative payment options.

Over the past 3 years, Greg has billed residents $1.1 MILLION for mobile crisis intervention services. And that's today's Sign of the Apocalypse.

If you or someone you know is struggling or in a mental health crisis, don't call Greg. Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org. IT'S FREE, confidential, and available 24/7.

Photo by Dan Meyers on Unsplash

Get our free mobile app

H/T: Fox 9