Primary care at home in a large, varied county
St. Louis County surrounds the independent City of St. Louis and includes dozens of municipalities, from older inner suburbs to newer communities at the western edge. A person in one corner of the county can live a long drive from the next, and traffic on the interstates can make a routine appointment a half-day trip.
Primary care at home removes that trip. A clinician comes to the house, apartment or senior living community. Gateway’s clinicians provide the medical care, supported by scheduling, records and follow-up coordination. Our broader primary care section explains the types of care that can be arranged.
Who visits
Visiting clinicians who see patients through Gateway may be physicians, podiatrists (DPM), nurse practitioners or nurses, matched to the patient’s needs. The treating clinician makes every clinical decision.
Help by part of the county
Needs and housing look different across the county, so here is a general guide. Availability is confirmed by address and care setting, so use this as a starting point rather than a promise.
- North County. Communities such as Florissant, Ferguson and Hazelwood include many neighborhoods of single-family homes. See primary care at home in North County.
- South County. Neighborhoods such as Affton, Mehlville and Oakville have a mix of single-family homes and senior apartments. See South County and Mehlville.
- West County. Chesterfield, Ballwin, Wildwood and nearby towns include assisted living and memory care communities. See Chesterfield and West County and Ballwin.
- Central County. Clayton, University City, Kirkwood and Webster Groves sit close to major hospitals and many specialty offices. See Clayton and Central County and Kirkwood.
The full list of St. Louis County town pages appears at the bottom of this page. You can also read the St. Louis County overview.
What a primary care house call can include
The treating clinician decides what each visit covers. In general it can include a review of your health history, an exam, a medication review, follow-up for long-term conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure, orders for lab work or equipment, referrals to specialists, and a conversation about your wishes for future care.
The page on house calls in St. Louis describes how visits work in more detail. Not every test can be done in a living room. When you need a hospital or office visit, the clinician will say so and Gateway can help with scheduling and transportation arrangements.
Working with the doctors you already have
Many St. Louis County residents already have a physician, a cardiologist or a kidney specialist they trust. A house call does not have to replace those relationships.
With your permission, notes and questions go to your current doctors, and the clinicians can agree on who handles refills, forms and test results. Ask early. A clear answer at the start prevents duplicate orders and missed follow-up. If you do not have a primary care clinician at all, say so when you call.
Home, senior living and facility visits
Partner clinicians see people in several settings across the county:
- Private houses and apartments
- Assisted living and memory care communities
- Skilled nursing facilities and rehabilitation centers
Visits in a community are arranged with the community as well as the resident. Facility staff, family members and the visiting clinician can all be part of the plan.
Coverage and cost questions
You can ask about Medicare, Medicare Advantage, Medicaid and commercial plans. Whether a home visit is a benefit, and what you might owe, depends on the treating provider, your plan and the care needed. Our page on Medicare and primary care at home lists questions to ask.
How to start
Call 314-325-0126 with the patient’s ZIP code, or send a request for care with a name and phone number only. Please keep medical details for the phone call. We ask about the care setting, confirm availability for the address and explain the next step. Family members and caregivers can call for someone else, and no referral is needed to start.
House calls are planned care, not emergency care. For chest pain, trouble breathing, signs of a stroke or heavy bleeding, call 911.
Common questions
Does Gateway make house calls in all of St. Louis County?
Gateway coordinates care across Greater St. Louis, including St. Louis County, but availability is confirmed by address and care setting. Call 314-325-0126 with the ZIP code and we will tell you what we can arrange.
Is the City of St. Louis part of St. Louis County?
No. The city is independent of the county. Gateway serves both, and the city has its own pages in our service area section. If you are unsure which applies, give us your address.
Can I keep my current doctor?
Yes. You can ask for a house call clinician to work alongside the physician you already see. With your permission, visit notes go to your doctor’s office, and the clinicians agree on who handles what.
Can a house call be arranged in assisted living?
Yes, you can ask. Many county communities have assisted living and memory care residents who find clinic trips hard. We arrange visits with the community and the resident, and the treating clinician works alongside the facility’s nursing staff.
What should I have ready for the first call?
Have the patient’s ZIP code, insurance cards, a list of current medications and the names of current doctors. A short list of questions helps too. You do not need to have every detail; we can sort out missing items together.