Can Mobile Integrated Health Help You Maximize Revenue?

Mobile integrated health (MIH) is changing the game, but if you’re not involved yet, you might be missing out on a huge opportunity. Right now, if you’re running an ambulance service, NEMT organization, community clinic, or hospital, you’re feeling these pressures: 

• Emergency rooms are overcrowded
• Paramedics are stretched to the limit
• Patients who don’t need an ER visit are clogging up the system
• On top of it all, budgets are tighter than ever

 

Here’s the hard truth: The traditional way of delivering care isn’t keeping up. Patients need care before their condition turns into an emergency, but there aren’t enough resources to meet demand. The result? Burnt-out staff, revenue slipping through the cracks, and patients suffering unnecessarily.

That’s where mobile integrated health comes in. If you’re not looking at it yet, you could be missing out on serious money.

I’m Russ Evans, a mobile healthcare advocate with an emergency response background, and I’m all about keeping people out of the ER when they don’t need to be there. A proactive visit costs 1/10th of an ER trip—that’s real savings for patients and real revenue for healthcare providers like yourself.

 

 

 

 

At AVAN Mobility, I spend my days helping organizations like yours and the Community Clinic of Southwest Missouri bring healthcare to people instead of waiting until it’s too late. While we build several types of mobile medical vehicles, this isn’t about selling you something—it’s about showing you how mobile integrated health can transform your business.

What you’ll learn in this article:

• What mobile integrated health is
• Who runs MIH programs 
• Who to partner with to make it work
• How much it pays and why it’s sustainable
• What vehicles work well for MIH

 

 

 

 

What is mobile integrated health?

 

 

Mobile integrated health brings healthcare to people instead of waiting for them to show up in the hospital or ER. 

It’s a simple idea: Catch health problems early so they don’t turn into emergencies.

As a deputy chief of a fire department, I know all too well that many patients end up in the ER who don’t truly need to be there. Day after day, paramedics respond to 911 calls for non-emergencies—things that could have been treated earlier or handled outside of a hospital. It’s frustrating for first responders, overwhelming for hospitals, and costly for everyone involved.

That’s where MIH comes in. Instead of sending every patient to the hospital, trained healthcare providers go to the patient and give them the healthcare they need on the spot.

 

Here’s a look at a few things MIH does:

Helps people before they get worse: MIH teams check on patients at home, in shelters, or in the community to stop small problems from turning into big ones.

Cuts down on unnecessary ER visits: Not every 911 call needs a trip to the hospital. MIH gets people the right care without tying up ambulances and ER beds.

Supports people with long-term health needs: People with diabetes, heart disease, or other conditions get regular care so they stay out of the hospital.

Takes pressure off paramedics and ER staff: Less non-urgent calls mean EMTs and hospitals can focus on real emergencies.

Brings care to people who don’t have easy access: MIH fills the gap for people who struggle to get to a doctor, making sure they get the care they need when they need it.

The best part? It’s a win for everyone. Patients get better healthcare, emergency services focus on real emergencies, and healthcare organizations open a new stream of revenue by delivering care more efficiently and cost-effectively.

 

Who can get involved with mobile integrated health?

Mobile integrated health brings together different healthcare providers to deliver care directly to patients. Here’s who can be part of MIH and how they benefit:

 

Who can get involved	How they benefit from MIH
Organizations with paramedics and EMTs	Offers a break from emergency calls, reducing burnout. Uses skills for preventive care and patient education.
Hospitals & community clinics	Reduces ER overcrowding by handling non-emergency cases in the community. Improves patient outcomes with follow-up care and chronic disease management. Enhances public health outreach by bringing care to underserved areas.
Non-emergency medical transport (NEMT) organizations	Expands services to include in-home care and health assessments. Improves patient satisfaction by ensuring timely care without length hospital visits. Lowers healthcare costs by addressing health issues early.
Public health agencies	Improves community health by reaching vulnerable populations. Assists in managing public health crises (e.g., vaccination drives). Collects health data to inform better public health strategies.
Home health agencies	Integrates medical services into home care plans. Reduces hospital readmissions by monitoring patients closely. Builds patient trust through consistent, personalized care.
Behavioral health providers	Expands access to mental health services by meeting clients where they are. Integrates physical and mental health care for holistic treatment. Reduces stigma by normalizing community-based care.
Community organizations	Identifies and addresses local health needs. Connects individuals to essential resources like food banks and housing assistance. Builds trust by engaging directly with community members.

 

Who to partner with to make MIH work

Building a mobile integrated health program isn’t something you do alone. The right partnerships make all the difference in getting your program off the ground, keeping it running smoothly, and making it financially sustainable. I’ve seen firsthand how the right connections can make or break an MIH initiative.

One of the most important partnerships is with local hospitals and healthcare networks. Many MIH programs work with hospitals to reduce ER overcrowding by handling non-emergency cases in the community. Hospitals benefit from lower readmission rates and better patient outcomes, so they’re often willing to support MIH efforts. Some may even provide funding, referrals, or staffing support to strengthen your program.

 

Public health agencies

If you want to reach underserved populations, public health departments can be a huge asset. They can help with:

• Funding and logistics to get your MIH program off the ground.
• Community outreach to connect with those who need care the most.
• Integrating MIH teams with public health efforts like vaccination drives and chronic disease management programs.

 

Insurance providers and payers

Reimbursement is a big factor in making MIH financially viable. Some insurance companies cover MIH services because it saves them money on expensive hospital stays. By partnering with payers, you can:

• Make your MIH program profitable with the right billing models.
• Expand services as more insurers recognize MIH as a cost-saving solution.

 

Community organizations and social services

MIH isn’t just about treating medical conditions—it’s about solving health challenges before they turn into emergencies. That’s why it’s smart to collaborate with:

• Shelters and food banks to connect patients with basic necessities.
• Mental health providers to support patients who need ongoing care.
• Local nonprofits that work with at-risk populations.

 

Fire departments and EMS services

For many fire departments and EMS teams, MIH is a game changer. Emergency responders are overwhelmed, and MIH can help reduce the number of unnecessary 911 calls. Including MIH in your program can help you:

• Handle non-urgent cases, freeing up ambulances and ER staff.
• Create a more efficient system for triaging calls.

 

A reliable vehicle and equipment manufacturer

And then there’s one partnership that often gets overlooked: Working with a manufacturer who understands MIH. Your team needs a vehicle that fits your program’s unique needs, whether that’s a fully equipped mobile clinic or a compact response unit.

• Customization matters—not all vehicles are designed for MIH work.
• A well-equipped unit saves time and money by ensuring teams have what they need on the road.
• The right vehicle provider helps you scale as your program grows.

 

 

 

 

How much does MIH pay?

MIH isn’t just about better healthcare—it’s also a smart business move. A lot of providers worry about how to fund it, but the truth is, MIH can be profitable with the right setup.

 

There are several ways an MIH program brings in revenue:

Insurance reimbursements: Some private insurers, Medicaid, and Medicare cover MIH visits, much like home health services.

Hospital contracts: Hospitals pay MIH providers to handle non-emergency cases, helping reduce ER overcrowding and cut costs.

Public health funding: Grants and government programs fund MIH initiatives, especially in underserved areas where access to care is limited.

Direct billing: Some MIH programs charge per visit for services like chronic disease management, preventive screenings, and home care.

A home visit from an MIH team typically costs $100–$300, depending on location and services. An ER visit? That’s $1,500 or more. Every prevented ER trip saves hospitals, insurers, and communities thousands of dollars, making MIH a cost-effective, sustainable solution.

 

How much revenue can MIH bring in?

Let’s break it down with some real numbers:

• If an MIH team completes 10 visits per day at $200 per visit, that’s $2,000 per day.
• Over a 20-day work month, that’s $40,000 in revenue.
• Over a year, a single MIH vehicle could generate nearly $500,000.
• Multiply that by multiple vehicles or an expanded service area, and you’re looking at a scalable, profitable model.

 

That’s why MIH is growing so fast. It’s better for patients, reduces strain on emergency services, and creates a sustainable revenue stream for healthcare providers. Everybody wins.

 

What vehicles work well for MIH?

 

 

The right vehicle for MIH depends on how and where you plan to operate. If your team is covering both urban and rural areas, dealing with congested traffic, tight parking spaces, and backroads, a mobile medical van is usually the best choice.

 

I’ve seen organizations try to make SUVs work, and while they might seem like a practical option at first, they come with major limitations:

Not enough space: SUVs lack the interior room for essential medical equipment, staff, and patient interactions.

Limited functionality: Most SUVs can’t accommodate basic mobile healthcare features like refrigeration, exam space, or diagnostic tools.

Inefficient workflow: Working out of an SUV means constantly setting up and breaking down equipment, which wastes time and energy.

 

On the other end of the spectrum, some organizations go big and invest in mobile medical RVs. These seem like a great idea at first, but they come with some drawbacks:

Hard to navigate: Tight parking spots, low bridges, and narrow streets can make RVs a logistical nightmare in urban areas.

Expensive startup and maintenance: The cost of a mobile medical RV is often double or even triple that of a van—not just upfront, but in fuel and maintenance as well.

Longer setup times: Unlike vans, which allow for quick deployment, RVs require more space and planning to operate efficiently.

Mobile medical vans hit the sweet spot for most MIH programs.

 

They offer:

• More space than an SUV for medical equipment and staff.
• Better maneuverability than an RV for city streets, backroads, and tight spaces.
• Lower costs for fuel, maintenance, and insurance compared to RVs.
• Quick deployment so teams can respond efficiently without setup delays.

 

Mobile integrated health: Solve the challenges, seize the opportunity, and shape the future of healthcare

 

 

You came here because you realized the current healthcare system is stretched too thin, your team is overwhelmed, and revenue opportunities are slipping through the cracks. You need a way to bring care to patients before it becomes an emergency, take the pressure off first responders, and build a strong, sustainable healthcare model.

 

Now you know:

• What mobile integrated health is and how it helps both patients and providers.
• Who can get involved, and the key partnerships that make MIH work.
• How MIH brings in revenue and why it’s a smart, sustainable business model.
• What vehicles work best, and why a mobile medical van is the most practical choice.

 

I’ve worked with clients all over the U.S., just like yours, to remove barriers to healthcare. I’ve seen how the right tools and strategies can change lives for patients and for the entire healthcare system. 

Mobile integrated health is the future, and we’re here to help you make it happen. If you have any questions for me, click the button below. I’d love to hear your thoughts and how I can help you.

Not ready to reach out yet? I have a couple of other resources that might help guide you in the right direction. 

Check out my three-part video series on how you can start a mobile clinic: