eh, i read it. nowhere does it say being admitted/sectioned requires payment. i mean when you are at risk of hurting others or yourself, not just if you wanna talk to a psychiatrist.
The general findings online seem to confirm that payment still comes from someone connected to the one involuntarily committed. There's insurance resources that can be used for those too poor to pay for better ones, so it's not entirely out of pocket, but it's still a cost nonetheless. If there's no insurance willing to take them in and the person otherwise can't pay for it, the hospital can request payment from elsewhere.
Crow confirms it from her personal experience, and I've looked into this sort of thing from time to time potentially for myself. Nothing's really free anymore.
So far the closest to a more direct answer I've found is this, but with it's mentioning of "Virginia" it has me wondering if other states handle it differently:
"Involuntary Psychiatric Hospitalization of Adults" stated: source post
Who is responsible for the cost of treatment?
During the detention period, the cost of all treatment provided while the individual is hospitalized under the TDO is the responsibility of the individual. When the individual is covered by private health insurance, Medicare, or Medicaid, the hospital can seek reimbursement from these insurance carriers. In cases where the individual is not covered by insurance and is demonstrably unable to pay the cost of treatment, the hospital can ask for reimbursement from the Commonwealth of Virginia’s indigent patient fund.
After the commitment hearing, the cost of all treatment is the responsibility of the individual, even when he or she is committed or hospitalized as a CMA. When the individual is covered by insurance, he/she will usually be admitted to a facility that accepts his/her insurance, and the hospital will seek reimbursement from the insurance carrier. Uninsured individuals are usually referred for hospitalization to Northern Virginia Mental Health Institute, a state facility, where the cost of treatment is determined by the individual’s income level and ability to pay. If space is not available there, the individual may be admitted to a private facility using a state fund that covers the cost of the hospitalization. Concerns about the cost of treatment and the payment for treatment should be directed to a hospital social worker.
Lush stated: source post
i'll allow it on this occasion ;)
Lush stated: source post
you don't pay to be admitted to a mental hospital you dumb fuck.
Wow not only you act dumb, you are indeed !