The Lee Board of County Commissioners voted May 6 to approve an agreement with Lee Health for an expanded Community Paramedicine Program to provide in-home care to individuals to reduce ambulance trips to emergency departments at hospitals for illnesses or injuries that are less likely to progress or develop complications. The program is intended to reduce unnecessary emergency medical services transport, emergency department overutilization, hospital readmission, assist with access to care and improve community relations by building and expanding post-acute services as individuals recover from a serious injury or illness, county officials said. Lee Health patients will be referred to the program, leading to a multidisciplinary team of providers to assist patients with their recovery at home. Under terms of the agreement, Lee Health will reimburse Lee County Emergency Medical Services up to $1,316,777 in the program’s first year.