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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. 

 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 

 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.

Tom Crann

Host

Ngoc Bui

Author

An investigation revealed Ramsey County has been charging people for mental health crisis response services. The fees were not made apparent to callers to the county’s crisis line. The county apologized and said it is changing some of its practices. 

Ramsey County has been charging people for mental health crisis services

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