A wellness check (or welfare check) is a request to verify the safety and well-being of an individual who may be unable to care for themselves or is in distress. Whether this service costs money is highly variable and depends almost entirely on what happens after the initial response. While requesting the check itself is typically free, the potential for subsequent costs to the person being checked is significant.
The Immediate Cost of Requesting a Check
Requesting a wellness check through a public safety answering point, such as 911 or a non-emergency police line, is generally free of charge. This dispatch service is funded through local and state taxes, similar to other law enforcement and emergency services. The person making the request, whether a family member, friend, or concerned neighbor, will not receive a bill.
When the check involves only law enforcement observation and a brief interaction, the service remains free to the individual. Police or sheriff’s deputies confirming the person is unharmed and capable of making their own decisions concludes the event without financial consequence. This basic intervention is considered a core public safety function covered by municipal budgets.
How the Responding Agency Affects Billing
The cost structure changes based on the type of professional responding to the location. When police are the sole responders, the service is almost always free. However, if Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel or an ambulance crew are dispatched, potential charges may arise. Some jurisdictions may generate a bill for stand-by time or a required medical assessment, even if the individual is not transported.
In a growing number of communities, specialized Mobile Crisis Teams or mental health units are dispatched, often consisting of behavioral health professionals and sometimes paramedics. Many of these teams are government-funded through Medicaid or state initiatives, meaning the on-site consultation is free to the person in crisis. However, some teams are operated by private non-profit organizations or hospitals that may attempt to bill the individual’s insurance for the mental health consultation or assessment provided on the scene.
Costs Following Escalation and Medical Transport
The most substantial financial risks appear when a wellness check escalates into a medical or psychiatric intervention. If first responders determine the person is medically unstable or requires immediate psychiatric care, they will arrange for transport. Ambulance fees, which often include basic life support (BLS) or advanced life support (ALS) services, can be extremely high. A single emergency transport frequently ranges from $1,000 to over $3,000, and these fees are almost always billed directly to the individual or their insurance provider.
If the person is taken to a hospital emergency room for assessment, a significant facility charge and physician fee will be generated. Costs for mental health assessments in the ER can climb dramatically depending on the complexity of the assessment and procedures performed. Even if the person is stabilized and released quickly, they are financially liable for the emergency department services provided.
If the individual is involuntarily committed for observation or treatment under state mental health laws, such as a 72-hour psychiatric hold, the subsequent stay is billed. Without insurance, the cost of a 72-hour hold can range between $2,000 to $4,000, covering hospitalization, medication, and evaluation by mental health professionals. Inpatient psychiatric care charges billed to the patient and their insurer are often substantial.
Alternatives to Emergency Wellness Checks
Individuals looking to proactively monitor a loved one without risking an expensive emergency response have non-emergency options available. The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline offers a free, confidential service connecting callers to trained crisis counselors 24 hours a day. These counselors can provide crisis counseling, resources, and referrals that may prevent the need for an emergency dispatch.
Many communities also offer telephone reassurance programs, especially for seniors who live alone, often run by local police departments or Area Agencies on Aging. These programs involve a daily automated or volunteer call to check in, and if the person does not answer, a designated contact is alerted. While some commercial check-in services exist for a small monthly fee, many of these community-led programs are provided free of charge, offering a safe, low-stakes way to ensure daily safety.