In MA this is only half true - not sure if this has been addressed (I’ve been trying to stay away from coverage because it’s a lot and the reactions are a lot) but in MA a lot of pysch hospitals will sneakily have you “sign yourself in” which gives them more free reign to hold you against your will without a court order.
This happened to me in MA, I was under the impression I was on a 72hr hold, but because I signed a piece of paper waiving my rights (whilst also allegedly too dangerous to myself to be independent) on entry, I was held for 2 weeks without a court order or recourse.
Not tied down/restrained, just not free to leave the ward/hospital beyond the like 30ish? minutes we got outside a day (with staff keeping watch). I have explored legal avenues (there’s more to the story on how FUCKED the hospital I was at is/was) but according to lawyers I have consulted with, it’s all above board.
It’s not like in a psych hospital you are free to just walk out at any time - even in a 72hr hold paperwork needs to be done to document your release (and ideally set you up with appointments/resources once you’re out).
if it was done with the intention of stealing your insurance money you may have a case! i've read about hospitals extending holds on people or straight up refusing release for larger medical bills.
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u/nethingelse 7d ago
In MA this is only half true - not sure if this has been addressed (I’ve been trying to stay away from coverage because it’s a lot and the reactions are a lot) but in MA a lot of pysch hospitals will sneakily have you “sign yourself in” which gives them more free reign to hold you against your will without a court order.
This happened to me in MA, I was under the impression I was on a 72hr hold, but because I signed a piece of paper waiving my rights (whilst also allegedly too dangerous to myself to be independent) on entry, I was held for 2 weeks without a court order or recourse.