The New Jersey Department of Health announced on April 29 that it has issued the state’s first mobile integrated health license to Virtua Health. This move follows the adoption of new rules earlier this year and marks a significant step in expanding access to non-emergency clinical services delivered at home.
The new licensing model aims to help patients, especially those with chronic conditions or recently discharged from hospitals, receive timely care in their homes. The approach is designed to identify health problems early and prevent hospitalizations or emergency room visits.
“We need to make health care work better for people — rather than the other way around — and that means thinking beyond the four walls of a hospital. The MIH model does that, guided by New Jersey’s clear, statewide standards that empower providers to reach people where they are,” said Dr. Raynard E. Washington, Acting New Jersey Health Commissioner. “These rules create a pathway for health systems to deliver timely, patient-centered‑ services outside traditional settings, and improve health care access for residents.”
Virtua Health is southern New Jersey’s largest health system and plans to serve about 50 patients per day through its mobile integrated health services as it expands its team and vehicles over time. “Mobile Integrated Health is transformative,” said Virtua President and CEO Dennis W. Pullin, FACHE in a press release. “It will fill critical gaps in care, leading to better health, fewer hospital visits, and a healthier population with a better quality of life across our region.”
Dr. Novneet Sahu, Deputy Commissioner of Public Health Services at NJDOH said: “Mobile integrated health programs are gaining momentum across the country because they provide practical solutions that improve outcomes, close gaps in care, and reduce costs.” Sahu added: “New Jersey is leading with clear standards allowing mobile integrated health to grow so patients get the right care at the right time in the right place.”
The Department of Health reports it is currently reviewing additional applications from other New Jersey healthcare systems seeking similar licenses.
NJDOH continues supporting expansion of these programs as part of efforts aimed at innovative healthcare delivery models and addressing disparities across communities.
