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All Things Considered
Tom Crann and Ngoc Bui

Ramsey County has been charging people for mental health crisis services

A person holds a cellphone
Mobile response teams have emerged as an alternative to the police for those in a crisis. But a recent investigation shows Ramsey County has been charging for these services, unlike neighboring counties.
AP Photo | Jenny Kane 2019

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An investigation into Ramsey County’s mental health crisis response services shows that the county has been billing people for its mobile response team.

FOX 9 reporter Nathan O’Neal uncovered that when the response team is deployed in response to those calling into Ramsey County’s crisis line, the county has been charging individuals directly for the service.

This line is specific to Ramsey County and not connected to the national 988 crisis number.

O'Neal found that those who called the line and received services were charged hundreds of dollars and the fees were not made apparent to callers. Information about the fees was also not posted online.

Neighboring counties, such as Hennepin County, do not charge for their crisis response services.

Yesterday, in response to the investigation by O’Neal, Ramsey County issued a statement to apologize and outline the steps it’s taking to rectify the issue, including clarifying the fee and payment options for crisis services on its website, updating the script for crisis staff answering phones, and including information about the sliding scale fee and payment plan options with invoices.

For the full conversation with Nathan O’Neal on his investigation, click play on the player above.