Making connections that count

Pittsburgh is home to some of the best healthcare institutions in the world. Unfortunately, many people do not have the resources they need to stay out of the hospital once they are discharged.  Our team of specially trained paramedics can help your most complex and fragile patients to find assistance for their financial, medical, housing, utilities, mental health and social support needs after they return home.

There is no fee for the program, and your patient only has to live in Allegheny County to be eligible to receive our services.

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Services

Connect Community Paramedics can help navigate patients to…

  • Health Insurance
  • Programs to avoid nursing homes
  • Aid for housing and utility expenses
  • Transportation services
  • Food assistance programs
  • And many other services

Results

Our innovative approach has successfully…

  • Saved more than $1.8 million in healthcare costs
  • Reduced readmission rates for COPD patients
  • Helped reduce emergency department visits and 911 calls for superutilizers
  • Provided support for chronic pain patients
  • Helped veterans receive the benefits they earned

Interested in learning more?

Testimonials

“The CONNECT program is a valuable community resource for the residents of Allegheny County.  This wonderful group of paramedics go above and beyond to provide assistance to patients during their time of need  when they feel they have nowhere else to go.”

– Melissa Mitchell RN BSN
former High Risk Care Team Supervisor
Forbes Hospital

“Gaps related to in home services have become more evident with health care reform. Limited heath care benefits and more restrictive medical necessity standards have impeded the acute care discharge planners ability to‎ provide the patient supportive post acute care. Innovative care models like the CONNECT Community Paramedic program have helped to bridge this gap for the UPMC Mercy patient population. This program provides a comprehensive evaluation of need and coordination services for these patients and their families.”

– Sherri MacKall, RN, BSN, ACM
Director, Care Management
UPMC Mercy Hospital