Key Takeaways
- Physician visits patient at home for care.
- Enables thorough, longer assessments than office visits.
- Medicare reimburses higher for homebound patients.
- Supports primary, follow-up, and specialty therapies.
What is House Call?
A house call is a healthcare service where a physician or medical professional visits a patient’s home, nursing facility, or hospice to provide medical assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up care. This approach benefits individuals unable to travel to a clinic, offering personalized care in their living environment.
House calls allow providers to observe social and environmental factors affecting health, leading to more comprehensive care plans and improved patient satisfaction.
Key Characteristics
House calls are defined by several distinct features that differentiate them from traditional office visits:
- In-home service: Delivered at a patient’s residence or care setting, enhancing comfort and convenience.
- Extended visit time: Typically lasting 20–60 minutes, allowing in-depth evaluation compared to shorter office visits.
- Holistic assessment: Includes environmental, social, and physical factors often overlooked in clinics.
- Specialized billing: Uses specific CPT codes reimbursed by Medicare when criteria like homebound status are met.
- Multidisciplinary coordination: Often involves communication with caregivers and home health teams for follow-up care.
How It Works
House calls begin with scheduling through phone or app requests, where providers prepare using structured mnemonics covering patient impairments, medication, and safety. During the visit, physicians perform consultations, physical exams, and may order tests or treatments on-site.
Providers bring portable medical equipment to facilitate diagnostics and treatment, coordinating with other healthcare services as needed. Documentation is essential to justify billing and ensure compliance with Medicare and other insurers. This model suits patients needing personalized care without the burden of travel.
Examples and Use Cases
House calls serve diverse medical needs across various patient populations and settings:
- Primary care: Routine check-ups and acute illness management at home.
- Post-hospital follow-up: Monitoring recovery to reduce readmissions, often coordinated with home health services.
- Palliative and concierge care: Supporting chronic or terminal conditions, improving quality of life in a familiar environment.
- Specialty therapies: Speech therapy or wound care adapted for home delivery.
- Corporate wellness: Some employers partner with healthcare providers for home-based services to improve employee health.
- Industry example: Companies featured in best healthcare stocks often invest in technologies enabling telemedicine and house call services, reflecting market growth.
Important Considerations
While house calls offer convenience and comprehensive care, they require careful planning for logistics, safety, and legal compliance. Providers must ensure adequate equipment, proper documentation, and clear communication with patients and caregivers.
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Final Words
House calls offer personalized, in-home medical care that can improve patient outcomes and satisfaction, especially for those with mobility challenges. Consider discussing this option with your healthcare provider or insurance to determine if it fits your needs and coverage.
Frequently Asked Questions
A house call is a medical service where a healthcare professional visits a patient at their home or care facility to provide assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up care, especially for those unable to travel to an office.
You can schedule a house call by contacting the provider via phone, app, or concierge service. The healthcare professional will then confirm details and prepare for the visit, coordinating with caregivers if needed.
House calls include initial consultations, physical examinations, diagnosis, treatment such as prescribing medications or wound care, and follow-up visits. They may also include specialty therapies like speech therapy and palliative care.
House call visits usually last between 20 to 60 minutes, which is longer than the average office visit, allowing for more thorough evaluations and discussions.
Yes, house calls can be reimbursed by Medicare, especially if the patient is homebound or traveling to an office is difficult. Specific billing codes apply, and proper documentation is required to justify the necessity.
House calls are conducted at patients' homes, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, or hospices, but they are not meant for emergency situations requiring ER-level care.
House calls allow providers to assess patients in their living environment, observe daily activities, and consider social factors, leading to more holistic and personalized care plans.
Providers bring portable medical equipment needed for examinations and treatments. Guidelines recommend standardized equipment lists to ensure thorough and legally compliant care.
