Community paramedics highlight MAT access, new $700,000 UnitedHealthcare grant and ARPA funding cliff

Justin Hall, program supervisor for Buncombe County’s community paramedic team, updated commissioners on services the county launched in 2020 and on a new UnitedHealthcare grant that will fund a two‑year mobile integrated health initiative.

Hall said the county’s team provides 24/7 overdose response, immediate buprenorphine (Suboxone) induction after overdose, wound care in the field, peer‑support case management (contracted through Umoja) and proactive outreach to housed and unhoused populations. “Our entire community paramedic team is a mix of general funds and opioid settlement funds,” Hall said, describing the program’s funding mix and the separate post‑overdose peer support team funded by opioid settlement dollars.

The presentation included operational details and near‑term changes. Hall said a new mobile integrated health program — focused on chronic disease management and helping older residents age in place — will begin services on July 1 under a $700,000 UnitedHealthcare grant. He said the Mobile Community Outreach Team (MCOT) is currently ARPA‑funded and that ARPA funding for that team expires in December 2026, which staff expect will require a budget request for two of those positions in the FY27 process.

Hall summarized outcomes and trends the team is tracking. He pointed to state data reported through the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS): “State of North Carolina saw a 21 percent decrease from 2024, while Buncombe County saw a 38 percent decrease in 2024,” Hall said when reviewing overdose‑death charts. He also noted that MAT inductions (buprenorphine starts) are up year over year as outreach increases referrals to the program.

Commissioners pressed staff on a projected bump that appeared on a graphic and asked staff to verify the underlying graphing decisions; Hall said the chart was pulled from the state website and asked staff to follow up about projection methodology. Hall also described efforts to expand the county’s approved protocols: the county’s MOUD protocol was not in place at program launch but was used as a model by other programs seeking state approval, he said, and the team is pursuing in‑field antibiotic standing‑order options to close a gap in weekend prescribing.

Hall provided a 24/7 access number for referrals and immediate needs: (828) 772‑1294, and said supervisors on shift will triage callers to the appropriate team. He told commissioners staff will track referrals, estimate cost savings (911 transports, ED utilization, insurance) and monitor individual outcomes for people connected to services.

The update was received positively by commissioners, who thanked Hall and asked that staff return with protocol clarifications and validation of the state graphs. The briefing noted that the new UnitedHealthcare services and the ARPA funding timeline will be addressed as part of the FY27 budget process, with any required position requests appearing in the coming budget packet.