MIH/CP History in Kansas

KEMSA started discussing MIH/CP back in early 2014 with a presentation to the House Rural Caucus and held stakeholder meetings in July 2014. Pilot programs were slowly getting started around the nation, national groups were weighing in, and the biggest question surrounded funding for these types of services that could help close gaps in healthcare by meeting people in their homes and communities.

While early MIH/CP programs were most common in urban and suburban areas, rural programs in Kansas have demonstrated clinical success and the potential for financial stability. This movement has really started to grow and expand in the last few years through events, partnerships, and funding opportunities.

The Kansas MIH/CP Summit, hosted by KEMSA in partnership with the United Methodist Health Ministry Fund and Mid-America Regional Council Emergency Rescue, brought EMS leaders and healthcare partners together in Topeka in November 2023. The one-day event focused on the role of Mobile Integrated Healthcare and Community Paramedicine in improving population health, meeting community needs, strengthening partnerships, and shaping the future of community paramedicine in Kansas through education, discussion, and shared strategies.

Expanding Community Paramedicine Across Rural Kansas in 2024 and Beyond

Rural communities across Kansas continue to face challenges in accessing preventive care, chronic disease management, and post-discharge follow-up. Mobile Integrated Healthcare/Community Paramedicine (MIH/CP) programs are helping close those gaps by meeting patients in their homes and communities, improving connections to primary care, and supporting patient wellness. While early MIH/CP programs were most common in urban and suburban areas, rural programs in Kansas have demonstrated clinical success and the potential for financial stability.

What It Takes to Launch a Rural MIH/CP Program

Even when communities recognize the value of MIH/CP, local EMS agencies face significant barriers in launching new programs. Start-up needs typically include a community paramedic vehicle, specialized equipment, advanced training, and funding to support staffing while the program becomes established. At the same time, sustainable reimbursement models from Medicaid, Medicare, and commercial insurers are still developing, making outside support essential during the early stages.

Progress is being made to improve funding stability in Kansas. Kansas Medicaid Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) are beginning to reimburse MIH/CP services. Healthy Blue and Centene have initiated payments, and UnitedHealthcare is expected to begin soon. A clearinghouse structure is also being developed to help standardize billing and streamline insurance payments across multiple programs statewide.

Foundation Support Driving Expansion

Two philanthropic organizations have stepped forward in a meaningful way to help rural MIH/CP programs grow in Kansas.

The Patterson Family Foundation, which focuses on strengthening rural communities in Kansas, has provided significant grant funding to support new program startup, standardized data collection, and efforts to ensure state-level policy supports long-term program sustainability. The foundation was established through a bequest by Neal Patterson, a founder of Cerner, a healthcare information company.  Learn more: https://pattersonfamilyfoundation.org/

The United Methodist Health Ministry Fund (UMHMF), a Kansas-based foundation focused on improving health outcomes and advancing health policy, is supporting KEMSA’s involvement in MIH/CP, the University of Kansas’ role in program evaluation, and policy discussions involving state agencies, health systems, and legislators. Learn more: https://healthfund.org/a/

Their combined support has helped establish programs in:

• Norwich, Kan.

• Ottawa County, Kan.

• Dickinson County, Kan.

Each program is built around local EMS agencies providing community paramedics in collaboration with area hospitals, clinics, and public health partners.

Building Sustainability Through Shared Data

To support data collection and demonstrate program value, Kansas MIH/CP programs are adopting HealthCall software. Already in use in several states, this HIPAA-compliant platform allows MIH/CP programs to:

• Share HIPAA-compliant referral and follow-up information with primary care providers

• Participate in HEDIS quality measures

• Generate clinical outcome data

• Link patient outcomes to claims data to analyze cost savings

Several Kansas agencies are preparing to implement HealthCall. Over time, this shared data approach will allow rural MIH/CP programs across Kansas to demonstrate outcomes across a diverse patient base and strengthen the case for sustained insurance reimbursement.

Looking Ahead

Rural MIH/CP programs in Kansas are proving their value every day by helping patients stay healthier, supporting overburdened healthcare systems, and strengthening the well-being of entire communities. With continued foundation support, expanding reimbursement pathways, and shared data infrastructure, the growth of MIH/CP across Kansas is positioned to accelerate in the coming years.