What a podiatrist house call is
A podiatrist house call is a visit by a podiatrist (DPM, doctor of podiatric medicine) to the place where the patient lives. Gateway arranges the visit and the work around it, such as scheduling, records, supplies and updates to the care team. The treating podiatrist makes every clinical decision.
Depending on the patient’s needs, visits through Gateway may be made by a physician, a podiatrist or a nurse practitioner. For feet, we look first to a podiatrist. Our page on doctor house calls in St. Louis explains how the clinician is matched to the need.
The two things a visit focuses on
Gateway arranges podiatry house calls for two purposes only:
- Diabetic foot checks. The podiatrist looks at the skin, shape and feeling of the feet, and checks for areas of pressure or early breakdown. The aim is to find a problem while it is small.
- Assessment and care of foot wounds and ulcers. If a sore or ulcer is present, the podiatrist examines it, decides on the plan and follows it over time. Which treatment to use is the treating podiatrist’s decision.
Gateway does not arrange other podiatry services through this page. If another foot problem comes up, tell the clinician, who will explain where to go.
Why feet matter with diabetes
Diabetes can change how the feet feel and how blood reaches them. A person may not notice a blister, a small cut or a spot where a shoe rubs, and a minor injury can turn into a sore that heals slowly. Because of this, regular foot checks are a common part of diabetes care.
If you want to know what a diabetic foot ulcer is and how it is described, read about diabetic foot ulcers. For the wider picture of managing the condition, see diabetes care at home.
Who this is for
A podiatrist house call may fit when:
- A person has diabetes and cannot easily travel to a podiatry office
- A foot sore has appeared, or an existing one is not changing as expected
- The patient lives in assisted living, memory care or another community and care is easier on site
- A caregiver is worn out from rides and waiting rooms
- Someone just came home from a hospital stay with a foot wound
You do not have to be bedbound. If getting out is hard, call and describe the situation.
What to report between visits
You do not need to wait for the next visit to speak up. Call the treating clinician’s office if you notice:
- A new sore, blister or break in the skin on a foot
- Increased redness, warmth or swelling
- New drainage or a bad smell from a wound
- A foot that looks darker, pale or feels cold
- New pain, or a loss of feeling that is new to the patient
- Fever or chills together with a foot problem
Call 911 for a medical emergency, including chest pain, trouble breathing, sudden confusion or bleeding that will not stop. Gateway is not an emergency service. Do not wait for a callback if the situation feels dangerous.
How to arrange a visit
- Call 314-325-0126 or leave your name and phone number on the request care form. Keep medical details for the call.
- Tell us the ZIP code and setting, such as a private home or a senior living community.
- We confirm availability. Visit availability is confirmed by location and care setting. We do not promise timing.
- We gather information, such as recent records and the patient’s current medications and clinicians.
- We schedule the visit and tell you what to have ready.
Where a wound is involved, the visit may sit alongside other care. See mobile wound care in St. Louis for how wound visits work, and ask us how a podiatrist’s visit fits with the rest of your team.
Common questions
Do I need a referral for a podiatrist house call?
Patients, family members and caregivers can call Gateway directly, with or without a referral. Hospitals, facilities and practices can also refer. Some plans have their own rules, so ask your plan, and we will help you work out what to gather.
Will a podiatrist always be the one who visits?
For foot checks and foot wounds, a podiatrist is the usual match. Depending on the patient’s needs, a visit may also be made by a physician or a nurse practitioner.
Does a visit include nail care or surgery?
No. Gateway arranges podiatry house calls only for diabetic foot checks and for the assessment and care of foot wounds and ulcers. For anything else, ask the treating podiatrist, who can tell you what is appropriate and where to go.
Who decides how a foot wound is treated?
The treating podiatrist does. Gateway arranges the visit, records and supplies, and keeps your care team informed, but we do not assess, diagnose or order treatment. Ask the podiatrist to explain the plan and what to watch for.
Does Medicare cover podiatrist house calls?
We cannot say. Participation and benefits depend on the treating provider, your plan and the care needed. You can ask about Medicare, Medicare Advantage, Medicaid and commercial plans, and we suggest asking before the first visit whether the practice participates with your plan.