Trillium Health Resources has launched the ED@Home pilot program, an initiative to reduce unnecessary emergency department visits and improve timely access to urgent medical care.

The program will serve individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities living in intermediate care facilities. 

Trillium developed the program in partnership with StationMD, Rubicon, and participating ICF providers LIFE Inc. and Skill Creations Inc. 

The pilot operates in nine counties — Beaufort, Chowan, Duplin, Halifax, Lenoir, Martin, Nash, Pitt, and Washington — bringing together care teams and specialized telemedicine to deliver care.

The ED@Home model integrates Trillium’s Ultimate Living Assistant technology with StationMD’s HIPAA-compliant telemedicine services, providing 24/7 access to physicians trained in the complex health needs of individuals with I/DD. 

More than 90 percent of calls can be resolved in the home, reducing avoidable emergency department visits while delivering real-time clinical guidance and lowering caregiver stress, including for direct support professionals.

“Our members with I/DD too often face barriers to accessing high-quality care, and in rural communities, off-site visits can be especially disruptive,” said Cindy Ehlers, chief strategy and innovation officer at Trillium. “ED@Home uses innovative technology to bring specialized care directly to our members, improving outcomes while supporting the dignity and stability our members deserve.”

ICF provider partners say the model is already improving care delivery and continuity. “Our partnership with Trillium and StationMD gives us immediate access to triage and treatment,” said Laurie Urland, CEO, Skill Creations Inc. “It’s an important tool for improving continuity of care for vulnerable populations.”

“Around-the-clock, dependable telehealth services delivered in collaboration with Trillium and StationMD support the health, safety, and overall well-being of individuals served by LIFE Inc.,” added Wilson Raynor, executive vice president of LIFE Inc. “Our Direct Support Professionals now have immediate access to a doctor, just a phone call away, when an issue arises.”

By using technology to deliver high-quality, specialized care directly in home settings, ED@Home expands access for individuals in rural, Tier 1 communities and strengthens care continuity for those with complex needs. 

As the pilot grows from the approximately 450 members included in the pilot, it has the potential to scale across ICFs and beyond to family and independent homes — setting a new standard for accessible, person-centered care that supports independence, dignity, and better health outcomes for individuals with I/DD, Trillium said.