At Fello, we believe quality healthcare should be simple, personal, and accessible for everyone. That’s why we first launched Health Connection in January 2024 — a benefit designed to give employees faster, more convenient access to primary and urgent care. 

The impact was immediate. Employees were able to connect with providers who understood their needs, without the usual hurdles of scheduling, travel, or long waits.  

Building on that success, Health Connection recently expanded to include people supported through Fello’s Living Options & Services program. Now, more people are benefiting from streamlined healthcare that truly meets them where they are.  

What is Health Connection? 

Health Connection is Fello’s in-house healthcare program, created in partnership with ModRN Health. It provides free primary care visits and urgent care services with the flexibility of same-day, in-person or virtual appointments, available Monday through Friday, with extended hours.  

Originally designed for employees, Health Connection now brings the same high-quality, accessible healthcare to the people served by Fello’s Living Options & Services program, removing the barriers that many people with disabilities face in accessing traditional healthcare services. Health Connection removes obstacles by offering medical support that is easy to access, familiar, and responsive.  

Healthcare That Meets People Where They Are 

Across the country, more than 100 million Americans lack access to a primary care provider. That’s almost one in three people. For people with disabilities, those gaps are even greater.  

Health Connection changes this reality. With extended hours and the option of in-person or virtual appointments, health support doesn’t stop when a traditional office closes. This access helps people avoid unnecessary emergency room visits, getting what they need sooner, in a setting that is more personal and familiar.  

“Access to Health Connection means that when people call the nurse and the nurse recommends seeing a doctor for something like a cold, our teams don’t have to coordinate getting someone to an emergency room,” says Niki Jones, Director of Living Options & Services. “Having Health Connection means there is a safe, convenient alternative for getting proper medical care without the stress, wait times, and risk of secondary infections.” 

By removing transportation barriers, reducing exposure to illnesses in crowded waiting rooms, and offering consistent relationships with providers who understand our community, Health Connection delivers healthcare that truly meets people where they are. 

A Health Connection Success Story 

When Laura, a Direct Support Professional (DSP), scheduled an appointment for someone she supports in one of Fello’s group homes, she saw firsthand what makes Health Connection different.  

“It was easy to make an appointment; once I made the call, someone called me right back,” she said. “The difference between Health Connection and other places is that there’s really no wait; there’s no driving anywhere unless directed to do so. It’s more personable,“ Laura explains. 

The experience transformed Laura’s understanding of what healthcare could look like for the people she supports. Instead of driving across town and sitting in crowded waiting rooms, the virtual appointment felt personal and efficient.

Because the provider already knew the person’s background, the conversation flowed easily. Laura watched as the prescribed medication began working quickly.

“The medication they prescribed was right on point and helped them to start feeling better quickly. While they may not use words to communicate, I can tell they feel so much better,“ she says. For Laura, what mattered most was the compassion. “The Health Connection staff were very friendly and truly concerned about the ongoing issues,” she reflects. That personal attention made all the difference. 

More Than a Doctor’s Visit 

Expanding Health Connection is one more way Fello is building a future where healthcare is designed around people, not systems. By providing responsive, person-centered support for both employees and the people we serve, we’re not just adding another service—we’re strengthening the full network that makes better health possible.