The New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) has introduced new regulations that set comprehensive standards for Mobile Integrated Health (MIH) programs. These rules, which are the first of their kind in New Jersey, cover the creation, licensing, and operation of MIH initiatives.
The new standards put into effect provisions from P.L. 2022, c. 118, a law signed by Governor Phil Murphy in October 2022. This legislation revised the New Jersey Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Act, drawing on lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic and incorporating best practices in emergency medical care. The updated law modernized the state’s Advanced Life Support system and allowed for MIH programs to be established. These changes enable paramedics, hospitals, and mobile intensive care agencies to provide non-emergency health services outside hospitals, such as chronic disease management and preventive care.
“Mobile Integrated Health programs represent a transformative step in how we deliver care in New Jersey. By bringing health services directly to patients where they live, we can close gaps in care, reduce unnecessary hospital visits, and improve health outcomes for our most vulnerable residents,” said Acting Health Commissioner Jeff Brown. “These programs strengthen our health care system and reflect our commitment to building healthier, more resilient communities.”
The rules are outlined at N.J.A.C. 8:49 and include requirements for administrative policies, recordkeeping, event reporting, quality management, personnel qualifications, and safety protocols for MIH operations. They also define NJDOH’s authority to enforce these standards through penalties or license actions such as suspension or revocation if violations occur. The regulations were submitted to the Office of Administrative Law and are now effective.
MIH programs are designed to increase access to healthcare by delivering services directly in homes or community settings. They integrate emergency medical services with preventive and primary care efforts to help manage chronic diseases and support public health goals while addressing social factors that affect health.
Some expected benefits include reducing avoidable emergency department visits and hospital readmissions; easing pressure on emergency departments; lowering healthcare costs by cutting unnecessary hospital use; providing mental health support and medication management; offering follow-up after hospital discharge; addressing social isolation among vulnerable groups; creating jobs for healthcare professionals; fostering partnerships among hospitals and community organizations; stimulating economic activity across the state; strengthening trust in regional healthcare systems; and improving overall community health.
New Jersey has a history of innovation in emergency medical care. In June 2019, it became the first state to allow paramedics to administer buprenorphine for acute withdrawal symptoms following opioid overdose reversals with naloxone. In February 2025, NJDOH expanded paramedics’ authority further by broadening buprenorphine administration options for individuals with opioid use disorder.
