Frequently Asked Questions
Click on a question below to see the answer concerning our Primary Care program. You can also call our intake line at 971-202-5500 if you have a question.
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Q: Who is eligible to receive an in home medical care visit from Housecall Providers?
A: Housecall Providers serves chronically ill and homebound adults living in the greater Portland area. Our patient population includes medically fragile elders, individuals with multiple complex chronic health conditions, and people with physical or cognitive disabilities. Additionally, the patient must NOT be in need of an emergency first visit, and the patient (or family, if appropriate) must agree to accept our services.
Q: How do I get started as a new patient?
A:
- Give our Intake Department a call at (971) 202-5566.
- Our intake coordinators will gather basic information and conduct a brief pre-screening with you over the phone to confirm that you live within our service area, that we are a good fit for your medical needs, and that we accept your insurance.
- Once confirmed, our coordinator will send you a new patient application (the application form is also located on the primary care page) to complete and return to our offices.
- The intake staff will also give you a rough estimate of how long it will be once we receive an application before we can offer a primary appointment. (This is based on the applicant’s address, as each of our providers covers a different region and each region has a different waitlist.)
Q: How long will it take to schedule my first in home medical care visit?
A: Our intake team can give you an estimate as to how long your wait might be, but because things change constantly, it can be difficult to make accurate predictions. We encourage you to begin the registration process early- before a crisis hits, as we are not able to make urgent visits to new patients.
Q: What types of services do you offer?
A: Housecall Providers seamlessly integrates primary care, advanced illness care and hospice services into one unique program, so we can provide the best possible care and support throughout the entire lifespan of our patients. Many of the medical services you’d find in a traditional office-based medical clinic can be performed in the home by our specially trained clinicians or partners in care. Some of these services include: physical examinations, medication prescription and management, diagnostic testing (such as x-rays, and ultrasounds), lab testing, immunizations, wound care, wart/skin tag removal, chronic disease evaluation and management, pulse oximetry, and many more. Our care coordinators work with patients and their insurance companies to schedule appointments, coordinate with specialists, and order durable medical equipment.
Q: What do you consider to be “home?” Where can a Housecall Providers primary care clinician see me?
A: Wherever you live! We visit patients living in private homes, adult care homes, assisted living and residential care facilities. Call our office if you have a question or need further clarification. Geographic areas we currently serve in the Portland Metro Area: Eastern boundary: Gresham/Troutdale Western boundary: Forest Grove Northern boundary: North Portland/St. Johns Southern boundary: Tualatin, Wilsonville, Oregon City. (Please visit our service area map located on the primary care page.)
Q: What types of insurance does Housecall Providers accept?
A: See the “insurances we accept” link,
Q: Can I use a secondary insurance policy to cover what my primary insurance does not cover?
A: Yes, Housecall Providers will automatically bill your secondary insurance for any charges that are not covered by a patient’s primary insurance.
Q: Will my provider visits be scheduled regularly or on an as-needed basis?
A: On average, patients are visited about every six weeks to help manage their chronic conditions. Patients may be seen more or less frequently based on their individual needs.
Q: What if I need a visit after hours, on the weekend, or on a holiday?
A: We do not routinely make after-hours or weekend visits, but a clinician is available by phone 24×7. Clinicians take turns managing weekend phone calls so our patients, their caregivers or family members always have access to a Housecall Providers clinician.
Q: Will my Housecall Providers clinician be my primary care provider?
A: Yes. When you apply to be a Housecall Providers patient we ask that you sign a release stating that your provider will take over as your primary care practitioner.
Q: How do I contact my primary care provider if I have a medical question?
A: Because our clinicians spend all day out in the field seeing patients, the best way to contact them with a medical question is to call our office at (971) 202-5500, and ask to speak to your clinician’s care coordinator. Our care coordinators are in contact with the primary care provider throughout the day, and will be able to make sure they receive your message.
Q: What if I need more than a primary care house call?
A: We have developed a multidisciplinary care model to meet the holistic physical, behavioral, emotional and spiritual needs of our patients and their families and caregivers. Our primary care team is comprised of not only providers (MDs, NPs and PAs) and their care coordinators but registered nurses, social workers, and a spiritual counselor who are here to help you navigate your chronic conditions.
Q: How will I know when hospice care is appropriate?
A: Hospice care focuses on comfort and quality of life rather than curative treatments and is designed to provide support to you and your loved ones during the transition from life to death. If you think hospice might be right for you or would like to learn more, please call our hospice intake team at (971) 202- 5501. You do not have to be a primary care patient to receive hospice services at Housecall Providers.
