To effectively engage and serve individuals with complex medical and social needs, health care delivery systems are increasingly incorporating non-traditional roles into care teams, such as community health workers, peers, volunteers, neighborhood navigators, community paramedics, and pharmacists. This webinar highlighted two community paramedicine programs serving high-need patient populations in Wisconsin and Massachusetts.

• ThedaCare in northeastern Wisconsin discussed its partnership with Gold Cross Ambulance Services to launch a community paramedicine program aimed at reducing unnecessary emergency department (ED) visits and expanding access to care for high-risk patients.

• Commonwealth Care Alliance discussed its pilot program, Acute Community Care (ACC), and the ways in which it has positively impacted patient care, satisfaction, and outcomes among individuals dually eligible for Medicaid and Medicare.

The webinar series is a product of CHCS’ Complex Care Innovation Lab and Transforming Complex Care, two national initiatives focused on advancing and spreading innovations in complex care. 

Agenda

I. Welcome and Introductions 

Speakers: Rachel Davis, Associate Director, Program Innovation, CHCS and Meshie Knight, Program Associate, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation

II. Building a Community Paramedicine Program in Wisconsin

Speakers: Sandra Groenewold, MD, Expanded Care Team Physician Lead, ThedaCare and Brian Randall, Paramedic and EMR Liaison Coordinator, Gold Cross Ambulance Services

Dr. Groenewold discussed ThedaCare’s partnership with Gold Cross Ambulance Services to create a community paramedicine program targeted to high-risk patients. Mr. Randall reviewed the types of services he provides as a community paramedic and his experience working with patients in a home-based setting.

III. Expanding Access to Care and Services in Massachusetts

Speakers: Dhruva Kothari, MD, Medical Director, Commonwealth Community Care and Matthew Goudreau, Associate Director, Acute Clinical Response, Commonwealth Care Alliance

Dr. Kothari and Mr. Goudreau described Commonwealth Care Alliance’s rationale for launching the Acute Community Care pilot program, discussed what was required to gain buy-in for the pilot, and shared challenges and successes to date.

IV. Q&A with Panelists

Moderator: Caitlin Thomas-Henkel, Senior Program Officer, CHCS