Start with who is coming

Visiting clinicians who see patients through Gateway may be physicians, podiatrists (DPM), nurse practitioners or nurses, matched to the patient’s needs. They are different roles, so it helps to know which one will visit and why.

Ask these when the visit is scheduled:

  • Who is coming, and what is their role?
  • Which practice do they work with?
  • Is this visit for primary care, a wound, or both?
  • Will the same clinician come each time?

A nurse practitioner is not a physician, and that is fine. What matters is that the person fits the care you need. The treating clinician makes every clinical decision.

Questions about the visit

Once you know who is coming, ask what to expect. Our guide to what to expect from a house call describes a typical visit in more depth.

  1. About how long will the visit take?
  2. What will you want to look at, such as medications, a wound or a long-term condition?
  3. Should a family member or caregiver be present?
  4. Is there anything I should not do beforehand, such as removing a dressing?
  5. Can a family member who lives far away join by phone?
  6. How do I reach the practice with questions between visits?

Wait for the practice to confirm timing before you plan your day around it. Gateway confirms visit availability by address and care setting, and the clinician sets the visit schedule.

Questions about cost and insurance

Ask before the first visit, not after.

  • Is the practice enrolled in Medicare, and does it participate with my plan?
  • Does my plan require a referral or prior authorization for visits at home?
  • What might I owe, such as a deductible, copay or coinsurance?
  • Who do I call with a billing question?

Gateway cannot tell you what a plan will pay. Our page on Medicare and primary care at home goes deeper for people with Medicare, and for wounds there is a guide to insurance and cost questions for wound care.

Questions about your other doctors

You can keep the doctors you trust. Ask the house call practice:

  • Will you send notes to my regular physician?
  • Who will handle refills and forms?
  • Who orders lab work, and who gets the results?
  • If a specialist visit is needed, who arranges it, and how do I get there?

If two offices both think the other is in charge, orders get missed or duplicated. Settle it early.

What to have ready

Gather these in one place before the visit:

  • Insurance cards and a photo ID
  • Every medication, in the original bottles, including over-the-counter products and supplements
  • Recent hospital discharge papers, test results or specialist letters
  • The names and phone numbers of current doctors and the pharmacy
  • A short written list of your top three concerns
  • A clear, well-lit spot where you can sit or lie comfortably

For a wound visit, see getting ready for a home wound care visit. A good medication list also helps every visit; see keeping an up-to-date medication list.

Questions to ask at the end of the visit

Before the clinician leaves, ask:

  1. What did you find today, in plain words?
  2. What are the next steps, and who is responsible for each?
  3. Did anything change in my care? Please write it down.
  4. What changes should I report, and whom do I call?
  5. When is the next visit likely, and what will it involve?

Repeat the plan back in your own words. If you misunderstood something, it is easier to fix then.

When to call for help

House calls are planned care, and Gateway is not an emergency service. Call 911 for chest pain or pressure, trouble breathing, signs of a stroke, severe bleeding that will not stop or sudden confusion. For other worries, such as a new fever or a change in a wound, call the treating clinician’s office and say what changed.

How to set up a visit

Call 314-325-0126 or send a request for care. The form takes only a name and phone number, so please leave out medical details. A family member or caregiver can call for you. Our page on in-home primary care explains the next steps.

Common questions

Is it rude to ask who will be visiting?

No. It is a reasonable question, and a good practice expects it. Knowing whether a physician, podiatrist, nurse practitioner or nurse is coming helps you prepare and tells your family what to expect.

Should someone be home with me?

Many people prefer it, and the clinician may want to speak with the person who helps each day. If no one can be there, ask whether a family member can join by phone, and tell the practice who has your permission to receive information.

Can I ask the clinician to write things down?

Yes. Ask for the plan, medication changes and follow-up in writing or in the patient portal if the practice has one. Keep it in a folder with your medication list.

What if I do not understand something the clinician says?

Say so and ask for a simpler explanation. The clinician wants you to understand the plan. If a question comes up later, call the practice rather than guess, and do not change a medication without talking to the treating clinician.

What if I want to cancel or change the visit?

Call as soon as you know and tell the practice or Gateway, so the visit can be moved and the clinician’s time is not wasted. Before the first visit, ask what the practice’s rules are for rescheduling and whether any fees apply.

Related pages

General information to help you talk with your own clinician. It is not medical advice, and the treating clinician makes every clinical decision. For a medical emergency, call 911.

Updated October 2026