Do doctors do house visits anymore? The surprising return of the modern house call

September 30, 2025 •

4 min read

In the 1930s, an estimated 40% of all patient encounters occurred in the comfort of their homes, but by the 1980s, that figure had plummeted to less than 1%. Today, for those asking, do doctors do house visits anymore?, the answer is a surprising yes, as a modern version of the practice makes a significant comeback.

Quick Summary

The traditional doctor's house call has resurfaced through modern healthcare models like concierge medicine, mobile services, and home-based programs, offering personalized care for various patient needs. While not as common as in the past, technology and changing demographics are fueling a return to in-home visits for convenience, comfort, and specialized care.

Key Points

House Calls Are Back: After nearly disappearing, doctor house calls have made a modern resurgence through new healthcare models.
Multiple Service Models Exist: Modern house calls are offered via concierge medicine, specialized home-based programs, and on-demand mobile services.
Benefits Include Convenience and Safety: Home visits offer unparalleled comfort, personalization, and reduce infection risk, especially for vulnerable patients.
Chronic Condition Management is Key: For elderly and homebound individuals, regular in-home care is proven to better manage chronic diseases and reduce hospitalizations.
Find a Provider with Specific Resources: Finding a modern house call provider involves checking with your PCP, searching online directories, and verifying insurance coverage.
Insurance Coverage Varies: While concierge services are often out-of-pocket, some programs, particularly for homebound patients, may be covered by Medicare or other specific insurance plans.

The historical decline and modern revival of house calls

For decades, the image of a doctor with a black bag arriving at a patient's doorstep was a thing of the past. The decline of the house call began in the mid-20th century, largely due to shifts in the healthcare system. Economic factors, driven by new insurance models, encouraged doctors to see more patients in less time at their offices. Furthermore, the advent of advanced medical equipment, like X-ray and lab testing machines, centralized diagnostics and treatments in hospitals and clinics, making it impractical for doctors to carry everything they needed.

However, in recent years, the pendulum has begun to swing back. Several factors have converged to fuel a modern revival of the house call, now often called "home-based care". An aging population with increasing numbers of homebound or chronically ill individuals has created a growing demand for services delivered directly to the home. Simultaneously, advances in portable medical technology and telemedicine have made it more feasible for providers to offer comprehensive care outside a traditional office setting.

Who offers house calls today?

Today, the landscape of in-home medical care is more diverse than ever, with several models catering to different needs:

Concierge and Direct Primary Care (DPC): These models often operate on a membership or subscription basis, allowing doctors to bypass complex insurance billing and offer more personalized, extended appointments, including home visits. This provides flexibility and a stronger doctor-patient relationship.
Home-Based Primary Care Programs: Designed for elderly or chronically ill patients who are homebound, these programs are often covered by Medicare. Licensed professionals, including physicians and nurse practitioners, provide ongoing management of conditions in the home to help prevent hospitalizations.
On-Demand Mobile Medical Services: App-based services offer urgent but non-emergency care directly to the patient's home, office, or hotel room. These can be used for acute illnesses like the flu, infections, or minor injuries.
Insurance Provider Programs: Some insurance plans, like certain UnitedHealthcare plans, offer no-cost, yearly in-home wellness visits to members through a program like HouseCalls. These visits are preventative and provide an opportunity for comprehensive health reviews.

The benefits of modern doctor house calls

The resurgence of house calls is driven by clear benefits for patients, particularly those with mobility issues, chronic conditions, or who prefer a more personalized healthcare experience.

Enhanced Convenience and Comfort: House calls eliminate the need for travel, sitting in a germ-filled waiting room, and taking time off work. Patients can receive care in their most comfortable environment.
Personalized, Comprehensive Care: Being in the patient's home allows providers to gain a better understanding of their living situation and lifestyle, offering insights not possible in a clinic. This can lead to more accurate diagnoses and tailored treatment plans.
Reduced Exposure to Illness: For immunocompromised or elderly patients, avoiding a trip to a busy clinic significantly reduces the risk of exposure to contagious illnesses.
Improved Management of Chronic Conditions: Regular home visits can help in better monitoring and managing chronic diseases like diabetes and heart failure, which has been shown to reduce hospital admissions and emergency room visits.

Comparing modern house calls vs. traditional office visits


Feature	Modern House Call (e.g., Concierge, Home-Based Care)	Traditional Office Visit
Convenience	High. Provider comes to you, eliminating travel and wait times.	Low to moderate. Requires travel and waiting in a clinic or hospital setting.
Cost	Varies widely. Can be a fixed monthly fee (concierge) or covered by specific insurance programs (Medicare). Often requires out-of-pocket expenses.	Varies based on insurance plan (copays, deductibles). Often less expensive for one-off acute visits.
Scope of Care	Comprehensive exams, minor urgent care, chronic disease management, and preventative screenings. Relies on portable tech.	All-encompassing, including access to large, non-portable diagnostic equipment (MRI, X-ray) on-site.
Insurance Coverage	Coverage varies significantly. Medicare covers visits for specific homebound patients; concierge models often bypass insurance.	Generally well-covered by most insurance plans, following standard copay and deductible structures.
Patient Focus	Ideal for elderly, homebound, chronically ill, or those seeking high-touch, personalized care.	Caters to the general population for routine checkups and illness. Best for complex diagnostics requiring advanced equipment.

How to find a doctor who makes house calls

Finding a provider that offers home visits requires knowing what to look for:

Consult Your Primary Care Physician: Your existing PCP may be able to provide a referral to a practice or program that specializes in home-based care.
Search Online Directories: Organizations like the American Academy of Home Care Medicine maintain a directory of practices offering home-based care services. This can be a great place to start your search nationwide.
Check with Your Insurance Provider: If you are homebound, check with your insurance provider, especially Medicare, to understand your eligibility for specific programs that include home visits.
Research Mobile Medical Apps: For on-demand, non-emergency care, search for mobile medical apps or services in your area that bring licensed providers directly to you.

Looking ahead

While the traditional house call may never return to its 1930s prevalence, its modern revival offers a valuable, patient-centered option for specific populations. The combination of an aging demographic, the need for personalized care, and technological advancements has made the house call a viable, growing part of the healthcare landscape. It is not a replacement for emergency care or for complex procedures requiring hospital-level equipment, but for routine, chronic, and low-acuity care, the doctor is increasingly back on the road.

Conclusion

The answer to the question "Do doctors do house visits anymore?" is a definitive yes, though the delivery model has evolved significantly. Driven by patient demand, technological innovation, and an aging population, modern house calls are making healthcare more convenient, personalized, and accessible than ever before. For many, particularly the elderly and those with chronic illnesses, this revival offers a crucial and effective way to receive quality medical care in the comfort of their own homes.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, not all doctors offer house calls. The practice is most common among specialized home-based care programs, concierge practices, and certain on-demand mobile services, rather than being standard practice for all traditional physicians.

It depends on the service. Medicare may cover house calls for patients who meet the "homebound" criteria. However, concierge and on-demand services are often membership-based or require out-of-pocket payment, though some may accept certain insurance plans.

Providers can perform a wide range of services, including routine checkups, physical exams, vaccinations, blood tests, and management of chronic illnesses. The scope depends on the provider and the portable equipment they carry.

You can start by asking your primary care physician for a referral. You can also search online directories, such as the one offered by the American Academy of Home Care Medicine, for specialists in home-based medical care.

For certain patients, such as the elderly, homebound, or those with chronic conditions, house calls offer significant benefits like convenience, reduced infection risk, and more personalized care. However, traditional office visits are necessary for procedures requiring non-portable equipment.

Modern house calls are supported by advances in portable medical technology, electronic health records (EHRs), and telemedicine platforms. Portable devices allow for diagnostics like EKG and lab tests at home, while EHRs ensure continuity of care.

Some mobile medical services specialize in providing on-demand house calls for urgent but non-emergency conditions, like minor illnesses or injuries. For life-threatening emergencies, you should always call 911.