ELK GROVE, CA (MPG) - Cosumnes Fire Department will soon expand its health care services with a mobile integrated health pilot program. The Cosumnes Community Services District board of directors approved the program at its Sept. 18 regular meeting.

Assistant Fire Chief Robert Kasparian called the pilot the “next logical expansion” of the department’s existing telehealth program. In the telehealth program, a person who calls 911 with a medical concern can consult with a health care provider via a tablet.

The new six-month pilot would provide in-person medical services to patients in their homes. A physician assistant would conduct the visits and their license would allow them to provide services such as write prescriptions and have a patient admitted to a health care facility. The physician assistant would probably be work three days a week.

Kasparian said the program would enhance care access for underserved and high-risk groups.

The pilot will be funded with $100,000 in pandemic-relief money from Sacramento County. Kasparian thanked county Supervisor Pat Hume for securing the funds.

The money would fund the contract with the health care practitioner and pay for a paramedic to accompany them.

Kasparian said the program would “absolutely” help reduce “wall time,” the amount of time that department personnel wait at a hospital until a patient is admitted. Kasparian noted that some area hospitals have begun admitting patients more quickly.

A mobile integrated health pilot will help handle people who frequently request emergency services. Kasparian said that Cosumnes Community Services District Fire serves more than 65 “high utilizers,” individuals who call 911 at least 10 times in one year.

“It’s something that’s going to continue to get worse,” Kasparian said. 

While other agencies address the issue with fees or criminal charges, Kasparian wanted to “identify the root cause of the problem” by getting frequent callers a medical evaluation.

Not many agencies in California have a mobile health program, Kasparian said, because they can’t be reimbursed for it, but a bill passed by the state Legislature and awaiting the governor’s consideration would allow reimbursement.

Kasparian hoped it would become law, which would allow Cosumnes Fire to continue the program after the first six months.

Director Peter Sakaris praised the “excellent program.”

“I think it’s going to really work well, especially for those high utilizers,” Sakaris said. He asked whether the department would seek grant funding. Kasparian said yes, explaining that grants would be a major element in running the program long-term.

Kasparian told Director Orlando Fuentes that, if the program expands, the department might consider contracting with nurse practitioners in addition to physician assistants.

The board approved the resolution 4-0. Director Angela Spease was absent.