AltaPointe Health Launches iPad Pilot Program to Reduce Non-Emergency 911 Calls

AltaPointe Health, in partnership with MyCare Technologies, the Mobile Police Department, and Mobile Fire-Rescue, has launched a new pilot program aimed at reducing non-emergency 911 calls and improving access to behavioral healthcare for individuals in crisis.

For the past few years, mobile police officers have used iPads in the field to connect individuals experiencing behavioral health crises directly with AltaPointe clinicians. Now, through this new initiative, those same iPads will be placed directly into the hands of frequent 911 callers — giving them immediate, 24/7 access to mental health support from trained professionals.

“MyCare Technologies approached us about expanding the iPad program to see how effective it could be when the technology is placed directly with individuals who often rely on 911 for non-medical needs,” said Dr. Cindy Gipson, AltaPointe Health’s Director of Crisis and Justice-Involved Services. “The program won’t cost the city or taxpayers anything, but it has the potential to save significant public resources while improving care for some of our most vulnerable residents.”

Addressing High Utilization and Community Impact

The program targets the top 50 frequent 911 callers — individuals identified as “high utilizers” of emergency and EMS services, often transported to local hospitals multiple times a year for non-medical concerns.

“There’s mental fatigue of constantly running on the same patient multiple times in a day. The other part is just the use of the resources,” said Mobile Fire-Rescue Interim Chief Barry Glisson. “That can take resources from other residents and community members who have a need for calling 911.”

Last year, it cost the City of Mobile more than US$1 million to transport 70 patients to the hospital 10 or more times. This year alone, 40 patients have generated $565,000 in ambulance costs, with only a fraction reimbursed through insurance, Glisson said.

Connecting Patients to the Right Care

The MyCare iPads are exclusively configured with only a single, secure app that connects users directly to AltaPointe clinicians or peer specialists for real-time video sessions. From there, individuals can receive virtual support or be directed to AltaPointe’s Crisis Center for further assistance.

A Collaborative Solution

The six-month pilot will be funded and supported by MyCare Technologies at no cost to taxpayers. Over the next six months, AltaPointe and city partners will collect and analyze outcomes to measure its effectiveness in reducing call volume, emergency transports, and associated costs.

“The hope is that this becomes a long-term, cost-saving measure for taxpayers and a lifeline for individuals in crisis,” said Dr. Gipson. “It’s about getting the right kind of help to the right people — at the right time.