A new program by Virtua Health enables its paramedics and EMTs to provide a range of non-emergency care in people’s homes, and coordinate care with a person’s doctors and care teams. The model, known as Mobile Integrated Health, is designed to support earlier intervention, reduce avoidable hospital admissions and emergency department visits, and improve overall health outcomes.

Virtua Health, South Jersey’s largest health system, is the first organization in New Jersey to be licensed to operate a Mobile Integrated Health (MIH) program. The service is designed to operate 24/7 and is currently supported by approximately 35 care providers, including 12 full-time staff. Virtua will increase the program’s staffing and fleet of five dedicated vehicles as needed to sustain around-the-clock coverage.

“Mobile Integrated Health is transformational,” said Virtua President and CEO Dennis W. Pullin, FACHE. “It will fill critical gaps in care, leading to better health, fewer hospital visits, and a healthier population with a better quality of life across our region.”

MIH is designed to address unmet medical, behavioral, and social needs across the care continuum, particularly for patients who experience challenging transitions or limited access to timely follow-up, explained James Newman, Virtua’s vice president of patient logistics.

“For example, consider a patient with chronic lung disease who develops a new symptom, such as a cough. While the patient may not require hospitalization, their care team can deploy Virtua’s MIH program to provide an in‑home assessment and treatment, helping manage symptoms early and prevent escalation,” he explained.

MIH goes into the home to provide clinical care, patient guidance, and coordinated follow‑up with the broader care team. “It fills critical gaps when a patient has a care plan but needs hands‑on support to carry it out, can benefit from timely home‑based assessment, or needs help to stay aligned with the next steps in their care,” said Newman.

The service offers an appropriate, home‑based option when emergency department care or 911 transport is not the most appropriate response, allowing patients to be assessed and treated earlier in their care journey, he added.

How the Mobile Integrated Health Program Works

MIH provides both scheduled and unscheduled visits. A patient’s care provider can request their patient receive a visit from MIH within a specified time range, such as one to two hours, 24 hours, or 48 hours. The program is available to Virtua patients, and a Virtua health care provider must refer the patient to receive MIH services.

Examples of MIH’s services include:

• Structured follow-up and real-time navigation for patients whose care plans have stalled.
• Supports for people after an emergency room visit, hospital stay, or outpatient encounter.
• Supports for patients when symptoms change, barriers block next steps, or the care plan needs a fast adjustment.

MIH focuses on confirming the plan of care, assessing symptoms and clinical risk, and resolving barriers that can prevent patients from following through, Newman noted.

“Initially, we expect to serve about 50 patients a day,” he said. “As the program grows, we can scale up with more providers and more vehicles as needed.”

Addiction Treatment, Home Health Support

In the coming months, Virtua’s Mobile Integrated Health program will also launch a collaboration with NJ MATTERS and Virtua’s Medication for Addiction Treatment Program to support people recovering from opioid overdose. MIH will provide home‑based follow‑up and physician‑directed medication treatment that helps reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms.

Moreover, MIH is a valuable adjunct for patients who receive home health care from Virtua. The program works collaboratively with Virtua Home Health Care Services, providing timely in‑home clinical assessment and coordination when patient needs arise between scheduled visits, helping address issues early while keeping patients connected to their established care team.

New Regulations Enable MIH

Virtua leaders worked with the N.J. Department of Health to create regulations to establish “comprehensive standards governing the creation, licensure, and operation of Mobile Integrated Health (MIH) programs. These rules are the first of this kind in the state,” according to NJDOH.

“We’re grateful for the support and collaboration with NJDOH and the leadership of Commissioner Washington to enable this vital service,” said Cort Adelman, Virtua’s vice president of government and external affairs. “NJDOH and the Sherrill Administration worked swiftly to review and approve our application, bringing this lifesaving model to our communities in a matter of weeks. In addition to the clear benefits to people’s health, MIH programs will lower overall health care costs, and generate new employment opportunities for paramedics, nurses, and other health professionals.”

Virtua Advances Home-based Care

Virtua has expanded its care-at-home programs significantly over the past several years. “Mobile Integrated Health is our newest advance to bring high-quality care directly into people’s homes,” noted CEO Pullin. “Each of these programs increases access to care, especially for those who are most vulnerable.”

Indeed, Virtua in 2022 was the first in New Jersey to launch Hospital at Home, an innovative program that provides hospital-level care in the comfort of one’s home. The organization also offers Care After Discharge, which supports a patient’s transition from the hospital to their recovery at home.

Virtua Home Health Care provides at-home care after a hospital or rehabilitation center stay, or to help manage a chronic illness. Services include skilled nursing, PT/OT/speech therapy, social work, nutrition support, and home health aides, among others. And Virtua’s renowned Emergency Medical Services, staffed by highly trained paramedics, provides advanced life support in homes and other locations across South Jersey, as well as fast transit to the hospital for emergency care.

How to Access MIH

Your doctor or other clinician must refer you to Virtua’s MIH program. To learn more about Virtua’s home-based care programs, visit virtua.org or call 888-847-8823 (888-VIRTUA-3).