Williamson Co. program offers free in-home medical care Copyright by KXAN - All rights reserved Video

GEORGETOWN, Texas (KXAN) -- A Williamson County program that is helping the sick avoid the hospital, is also helping taxpayers. Patients are getting free care in their own homes.

Tuesday was a good day for Joe Maldonado as he used this walker with ease. But that is not always the case when living with congestive heart failure.

"They have intensified from becoming severe to chronic in many cases," said Maldonado.

To help avoid repeat trips to the hospital, Maldonado was referred to the Williamson County EMS Community Health Paramedic Program. It allows EMS to provide non-emergency care to patients in their own homes.

"The hope is that we can see any kind of changes early so he can just go to the doctor, or that we can call the doctor instead of him ending back up to the hospital," said Amy Jarosek, with Williamson County EMS Paramedic Community Health

Paramedics also help with medication changes to make sure patients are taking the right pills.

"Me doing it by myself, I wouldn't know what I was doing," Maldonado added.

Having one-on-one time with EMS is also saving taxpayers. The program means fewer unpaid bills from ambulance rides and ER visits.

"It's much more cost-effective for us to go out in a vehicle than it is for us to go out in an ambulance and then not get paid for the ride," said Jarosek.

That's something Maldonado does not have to worry about these days, trading in a hospital room for his living room.

Williamson County uses a federal grant to provide the free service, which also does not bill a person's insurance. A patient must be referred by either a hospital, doctor or EMS.

The average base fee for an ambulance ride is between $800-$900. That does not include any services given once a person is inside the ambulance.