DSS, through the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP), has announced a partnership to expand Mobile Integrated Healthcare and Community Paramedicine (MIH-CP) across the state. The initiative connects the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) Office of Rural Health and Primary Care with the Missouri Emergency Medical Services Association (MEMSA).
Administered by DSS on behalf of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), this partnership represents an investment of around $6.5M through July 31, 2027, to bring innovative and holistic care to patients in rural and underserved communities.
What is MIH-CP? Mobile Integrated Healthcare and Community Paramedicine (MIH-CP) represent the next evolution of rural healthcare. It extends the capabilities of EMS beyond emergency response by integrating paramedics directly into the broader medical system To work with primary care providers, behavioral health specialists, hospitals, and local organizations, to deliver both emergency and preventative care.
- Rapid Regional Response: As part of a large, state-coordinated effort during natural disasters like flash flooding or tornadoes, community paramedics are rapidly deployed to provide the critical “last mile” of medical care, helping to ensure affected residents receive immediate, on-the-ground assistance.
- Preventive "House Calls": Between emergencies, these paramedics collaborate with the larger Missouri healthcare ecosystem to provide patients with chronic disease management, behavioral health services, substance use recovery, and in-home wellness checks.
This fully coordinated approach addresses barriers to overall well-being and significantly reduces avoidable emergency department visits. For many rural Missouri families, distance and limited access to healthcare can cause manageable conditions to escalate into life-threatening emergencies. Today, over 30% of rural Missouri communities have access to MIH-CP services. This partnership will significantly expand that reach, helping to bridge critical gaps in care and bring timely, life-saving medical services closer to home.
Justin Duncan, MEMSA President, said: “The future of healthcare depends on integration, collaboration, and innovation. Through this investment, Missouri is building a statewide system that connects EMS with local providers. Together, we are creating mobile healthcare systems that deliver the right care, in the right place, at the right time.”
Funding Available for Rural EMS Agencies
MEMSA aims to establish new MIH-CP sites and expand existing ones, with a goal of supporting 14 operational sites across rural Missouri. This funding will provide agencies with the financial support they need to launch brand-new MIH programs, expand their current services, and implement the critical charting systems required to keep all local healthcare partners connected. Individual programs can be approved for up to $250,000 for startup costs, while larger regional systems can be awarded a maximum of $500,000.
To be eligible, agencies must be a rural EMS agency in Missouri collaborating with one or more healthcare partners. Agencies must agree to integrate their programs within regional coordinating networks.
Priority will be given to agencies that:
- Are located in rural RHT-designated areas
- Serve multi-county rural regions
- Have an active referral network and care coordination infrastructure
- Demonstrate the capacity to collect and report program data
MEMSA will administer the initiative by recruiting participating local EMS organizations, overseeing the site expansions, providing technical assistance, and reporting program outcomes to the state.
To learn more or apply for funding:
This MIH-CP expansion is just one part of a broader effort to strengthen care across the state. Additional announcements in the coming months will highlight the Rural Health Transformation Program's investments in EMS workforce development, regional EMS system transformation, and rural workforce incentive initiatives.
Visit the MEMSA Rural Health Transformation Funding portal to review eligibility and submit an application. For any questions regarding MEMSA RHTP funding, please email RHTP@memsa.org or call (573) 370-1702.