More hospitals are treating patients at home to reduce overcrowding. Here's how it works.

For James Edwards, a 57-year-old patient with congestive heart failure, recovering at home from shortness of breath rather than in a hospital setting was a welcome option. Nurses come to check on him twice a day and monitoring equipment would notify the hospital about any change in vitals.

The house calls are part of a mobile medical program that's growing nationally, with Medicare, Medicaid and some private insurance carriers offering coverage for the service.

There are more than 380 approved hospital-at-home programs in 39 states, according to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. In overcrowded hospitals, the programs can help free up needed beds — a persistent issue in facilities such as Mass General Brigham. Last year, nearly 3,000 patients were treated in the voluntary program.