‘Community Paramedic’ introduced

Ripley County is blessed in many ways. One way that is less recognized perhaps, is our Ripley County Health Department and EMS community.

Benjamin Franklin, famously said, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” The Ripley Co. Health Dept. and Ripley Co. EMS are putting that belief into practice.

MIH (Mobil Integrated Health) or “community paramedic” is picking up people that previously fell through the cracks. According to Health Dept. Director, Paul Tyrer; EMS Director, Scott Huffman; and Jenny Stevens, Paramedic and EMS Instructor – “MIH will assist residents to obtain resources and maintain their independent living.”

While there is no “official” funding for this program, MIH is being monitored for its impact and is already reducing repeat calls to residences for non-transportable “emergencies” wherever this program has been implemented.

There is legislation on the congressional table that will provide repayment for services from already “billable” resources (i.e. Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance). The MIH program is receiving national interest and support.

While the funding is being discussed, there is no charge for this service – and, the plan is that it will continue to be funded by grants until laws are passed to provide this emerging and cutting-edge resource, as a billable health service.

Most importantly, Tyrer, Huffman, and Stevens implore “Accept this free-to-all assistance! We just want to help. We also want to keep you (the public) in your own home aging with your own choices and independence.”

How the MIH program works. You have a chronic illness and call 911 for an emergency. You may or may not need transport, but what you will find is that after this episode, someone from the EMS crew or other health official will contact you to see how they can help you prevent further emergency situations.

This is not meant as an intrusion. The MIH program is to assist to keep you healthy, in your home, and safely aging independently.

Ripley Co. has resources for medicine management (if you need help getting or keeping your medicines “straight”) – resolved as easily as a call to your pharmacy to repackage medications into daily/dosage blister-packs.

If you have asthma, or heart related issues, one might need help with cleaning due to fatigue and/or trigger emergent medical events (angina or asthma attack). There are free (cleaning) resources to obtain that are covered through your insurance. But you must know of the service to access it.

Transportation is a huge barrier to health care. Catch-A-Ride is public transportation. It is provided on a first come, first served basis. Catch-A-Ride is usually covered by your insurance for doctor appointments or other medical needs.

If your insurance does not cover it, Catch-A-Ride charges (approximately) $3 per ride for the first five miles. It costs $0.25/mile after the first five. One can call to schedule 30 days in advance to insure prompt service the day of an appointment or other transportation need.

Locally the MIH – community paramedic program has been up and running since March. In eight weeks, they have nine clients. And, already there is a reduction in 911 calls. “Please!” Tyrer, Huffman, and Stevens stress – “call 911! That is what we are here for.”

But after that 911 call, the paramedics, or other healthcare personnel, will follow-up with you. Together you and the health-care professional will examine your situation and brainstorm ways to keep you safe and aging in your own abode. They will assist you to know of and access resources that will not cost you any out-of-pocket expenses.

These resources are available to everyone. One does not have to be destitute, nor do they have to be homebound. These well-versed medical professionals will assist you to preserve your independence.

Preventing recurrent hospitalizations and/or transport to and treatment at local Emergency Departments is the sole purpose of this program. It reduces medical care costs and more efficiently uses emergent resources.

MIH helps to keep residents in their homes and independent.