New Jersey Licenses State’s First Mobile Integrated Health Program to Bring Non-Emergency Care into Patients’ Homes

First mobile integrated health program enabled by New Jersey Department of Health's new rules

TRENTON, NJ - The New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) has issued the State's first mobile integrated health (MIH) license to Virtua Health, marking a significant milestone in the implementation of rules adopted earlier this year. <_o3a_p>

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Under the MIH model, licensed paramedics and EMTs deliver non-emergency clinical services to people at home in coordination with their providers and care teams. This approach is designed to catch health problems sooner, prevent health crises that result in a trip to the hospital or emergency room, and help patients stay healthier, especially for patients with chronic conditions or who have been recently discharged from the hospital.<_o3a_p>

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"We need to make health care work better for people - rather than the other way around - and that means thinking beyond the four walls of a hospital. The MIH model does that, guided by New Jersey's clear, statewide standards that empower providers to reach people where they are," said Dr. Raynard E. Washington, Acting New Jersey Health Commissioner. "These rules create a pathway for health systems to deliver timely, patient-centered- services outside traditional settings, and improve health care access for residents."<_o3a_p>

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Virtua Health is southern New Jersey's largest health system and plans to serve 50 patients per day with mobile integrated health services, scaling up more providers and vehicles as the program develops. <_o3a_p>

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"Mobile Integrated Health is transformative," said Virtua President and CEO Dennis W. Pullin, FACHE in a press release. "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." <_o3a_p>

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The MIH rules - the first of their kind in the State - establish comprehensive standards governing the creation, licensure, and operation of MIH programs. By building a formal, hospital-anchored licensing structure with explicit standards, fees, and accountability mechanisms, New Jersey provides critical clarity about enhancing community health care delivery.<_o3a_p>

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"Mobile integrated health programs are gaining momentum across the country because they provide practical solutions that improve outcomes, close gaps in care, and reduce costs," said Dr. Novneet Sahu, Deputy Commissioner of Public Health Services at NJDOH. "New Jersey is leading with clear standards, allowing mobile integrated health to grow so patients get the right care, at the right time, in the right place."<_o3a_p>

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NJDOH is supporting the expansion of MIH in New Jersey as part of the Department's broader strategy to promote innovative care delivery models, strengthen emergency medical services, and address health disparities. <_o3a_p>

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NJDOH is currently reviewing MIH program applications from other New Jersey health systems. For more information about MIH program requirements and licensure, visit nj.gov/health/ems.<_o3a_p>

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The New Jersey Department of Health is a nationally accredited health department working to ensure that all New Jerseyans live long, healthy lives and reach their fullest potential. With more than 6,000 employees, the Department serves to protect the public's health, promote healthy communities, and continue to improve the quality of health care in New Jersey. <_o3a_p>

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