What a house call is
A house call is a clinician visit at the place where a person lives. House calls in St. Louis today are arranged care from partner clinicians, with records, orders and supplies handled around the visit so the patient does not have to manage them.
Gateway arranges and coordinates the work. The treating clinician makes every clinical decision, including assessment, diagnosis, orders and treatment.
Who house calls help
House calls suit adults for whom a trip to an office is hard, risky or exhausting. That often includes:
- People who use a wheelchair, walker or lift
- People who leave home rarely because of illness, pain or fragility
- People with dementia, for whom an unfamiliar waiting room is distressing
- People just home from a hospital or rehab stay
- Adults in assisted living or memory care
- Older adults who rely on a family member for rides
You do not have to be completely confined to bed. Our guide on what homebound means for care at home explains how the term is used and why it matters for some plans.
What a visit can cover
What happens depends on the clinician and on what the patient needs. House calls arranged through Gateway can include:
- Primary care follow-up. Checking in on how a person is doing, answering questions and coordinating with specialists. Learn more about in-home primary care in St. Louis.
- Chronic conditions. Follow-up for conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure or heart disease.
- Medication review. Going through what a person takes, so the list is accurate and questions reach the right clinician. See medication review at home.
- Wound care. Examining and measuring a wound and setting a plan. See mobile wound care in St. Louis.
Some needs cannot be met in a living room, such as certain imaging or procedures. The clinician will explain, and Gateway helps arrange the outside appointment and transportation.
How to arrange a house call
- Call 314-325-0126. Give the patient’s ZIP code and tell us whether they live in a private home or a community.
- We confirm availability. Visits are confirmed by location and care setting.
- We gather information. This may include recent records, a medication list and the name of the current physician.
- A visit is scheduled. We tell you what to have ready.
- We follow up. Gateway coordinates supplies, referrals and updates to the other clinicians involved.
Family members and caregivers can call for someone else, and no referral is required to start. You can also use the request care form to leave a name and phone number. Please keep medical details for the phone call.
What to have ready
A calm, prepared visit is more useful for everyone. Gather:
- A current medication list, including supplements and over-the-counter products
- Insurance cards
- Recent hospital or specialist papers
- A short list of questions and concerns
- A place with good light where the patient can sit or lie comfortably
If a family member is not able to be present, ask whether they can join the visit by phone.
Coverage and cost questions
You can ask about Medicare, Medicare Advantage, Medicaid and commercial plans. Whether a house call is a covered benefit depends on the treating provider, your plan and the care you need. Gateway cannot tell you in advance what a plan will pay.
Useful questions before the first visit: Which practice will see me, and does it participate with my plan? Does the plan have rules about homebound status? Who do I call with a billing question?
When to call for help
House calls are for planned care, not emergencies. For a medical emergency, call 911. That includes chest pain, trouble breathing, sudden confusion, a fall with serious injury or bleeding that will not stop. For other concerns between visits, call the treating clinician’s office.
Common questions
Who is eligible for a house call?
Gateway can talk with any adult who has trouble getting to a clinic. Eligibility rules for coverage are a separate matter and vary by plan and provider. Call 314-325-0126 with the ZIP code and care setting, and we will tell you what we can confirm.
Do house calls replace my regular primary care clinician?
Not unless you decide to change. Some people keep their current clinician and add house calls for wound care. Others have no primary care clinician who can see them at home. With your permission, Gateway keeps your existing clinician informed of what the partner clinician finds.
Can a house call handle an urgent problem?
House calls are scheduled care and Gateway is not an emergency service. For an emergency, call 911. For a concern that is not an emergency but worries you, call the treating clinician’s office or ask us what can be arranged. We do not promise timing.
Do you make house calls in assisted living?
Yes, you can ask. Visits in assisted living, memory care and other communities are arranged with the community as well as the resident. See primary care in assisted living for more.
Are house calls available everywhere in Greater St. Louis?
Availability depends on the address and care setting. Gateway coordinates care across Greater St. Louis and the Metro East, but we confirm each location individually. Call 314-325-0126 with the ZIP code and tell us whether the patient lives at home or in a community, and we will explain what we can arrange.