Shelby County launches new community medicine program to bridge gaps in care

The Shelbyville Fire Department and the Shelby County Health Department have announced the launch of the Shelby County Community Medicine Program, a collaborative initiative designed to meet the basic medical and mental health needs of Shelby County residents who face barriers to care.

The program is specifically tailored to assist individuals who are uninsured or whose insurance benefits do not cover essential services. By deploying a mobile team of Shelbyville Fire Department personnel and Health Department medical staff, the program brings compassionate, coordinated care directly into the homes of qualified residents. This new model offers a unique and simplified approach to mobile integrated health care.

"This program is not a traditional home health service,” said Lt. Bradley Rund, Public Information Officer for the Shelbyville Fire Department. “Instead, it is a patient centered community support model focused on reducing strain on local primary care providers, EMS teams, and emergency departments while improving continuity of care for those in need.”

Program Features

Clients enrolled in the Shelby County Community Medicine Program will receive weekly or biweekly in-home visits with services that may include:

• Vital sign monitoring
• Medication setup and pickup from local pharmacies
• Weight and mental health checks
• Communication with primary care providers regarding changes in condition
• Patient education on health and wellness topics
• Documentation of all services at each visit

Please note: This program does not provide transportation. There is no fee for core services. However, additional services such as vaccinations, blood draws, or medical supplies may have associated costs.

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify, individuals must:

• Be a Shelby County resident, aged 18 or older
• Have no current insurance coverage or exhausted benefits for the care needed
• Not be enrolled in another home health program
• Have a primary care provider with an active care plan, reviewed every 90 days
• Be independently mobile in their home

"Our goal is to ensure that no one falls through the cracks,” said Amy Reel, RN, Director of Nursing for the Shelby County Health Department. “We are committed to meeting people where they are, both physically and in terms of care needs, to support their health and wellbeing.”

This initiative reflects a shared commitment by both agencies to improve community health outcomes while reducing demand on emergency and urgent care systems.

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