RALEIGH, N.C. — A new model of care is now available at UNC Health. Certain patients will now be able to receive treatment from the comfort of their own home. 

Roy Underhill became ill with a kidney injury earlier this year and learned about the program.

“They said, 'look, you’ve got a serious issue here. You need to either be in the hospital for the next two, three days or you can go home and we will send the hospital people out to you,'" Underhill said.

A team helped set Underhill up with a tablet at home so he could connect virtually with physicians. He was also visited daily by paramedics who helped conduct wellness checks throughout the day.

“I was at home, friends were bringing chicken soup," Underhill said. "I knew where the books were and where everything was and if I needed it, I didn’t have to buzz for it, I could get up and go get it, so it was great.”

Intensive care patients are not eligible for the program, but otherwise, UNC Health says the data shows this is safe and gives patients a lower chance of being re-admitted if they are treated in the comfort of their own home.

There is not an additional cost to the patient for being treated at home.