Question 1

What is a house call doctor?

Accepted Answer

A house call doctor — also called a home-based primary care provider — is a licensed physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant who travels to a patient's home to deliver primary care services. Five Star House Calls providers conduct full medical evaluations, diagnose conditions, prescribe medications, manage chronic diseases, and coordinate specialist care, all without the patient leaving home.

Question 2

Does Medicare cover house calls?

Accepted Answer

Yes. House call visits by a qualified provider are covered under Medicare Part B as Evaluation and Management (E/M) services. Under Original Medicare, no referral or special enrollment is typically required. Out-of-pocket costs vary. Patients may be responsible for deductibles and coinsurance, although many with supplemental coverage pay little to no out-of-pocket costs. Patients with Medicare Advantage plans should confirm coverage, network participation, and any cost-sharing requirements with their plan.

Question 3

Who qualifies for house call medical visits?

Accepted Answer

Patients who are homebound — meaning leaving home requires considerable effort due to illness, injury, or disability — typically qualify for home-based primary care. Common qualifying conditions include advanced age with mobility limitations, heart failure, COPD, dementia, stroke recovery, and post-surgical recovery. Five Star House Calls serves patients in Northern Virginia, Fredericksburg, and Winchester, VA.

Question 4

Do I need a referral to start house call services?

Accepted Answer

No referral is required to begin services with Five Star House Calls. Patients, family members, or caregivers can call 703-436-0150 directly, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Our Intake Nurse Navigator will verify your Medicare coverage and schedule your first visit.

Question 5

What services does Five Star House Calls provide?

Accepted Answer

Five Star House Calls provides comprehensive home-based primary care including: medical house calls, chronic care management, transitional care management (post-hospital and post-SNF), advance care planning, principal illness navigation, remote patient monitoring, advanced wound care, palliative care, and innovative CMS programs such as GUIDE. All services are delivered in the patient's home by a qualified provider.

Question 6

What areas does Five Star House Calls serve?

Accepted Answer

Five Star House Calls serves patients across three regions of Virginia: Northern Virginia (Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax, Fauquier, Loudoun, Prince William counties) from our Chantilly office; the Shenandoah Valley (Clarke, Frederick, Page, Shenandoah, Warren, Winchester) from our Winchester office; and the Fredericksburg region (Culpeper, Fredericksburg, Greene, King George, Madison, Orange, Rappahannock, Spotsylvania, Stafford) from our Fredericksburg office.

Question 7

How do I schedule a house call visit?

Accepted Answer

To schedule a house call, call Five Star House Calls at 703-436-0150. Our Intake Nurse Navigator is available 24/7 and will answer your call directly — no voicemail, no call center. You can also submit a request online through our Contact page. We will verify your insurance coverage and schedule a visit at a time that works for you.

Question 8

What is Chronic Care Management (CCM)?

Accepted Answer

Chronic Care Management (CCM) is a Medicare-covered service for patients with two or more chronic conditions. Five Star House Calls provides monthly clinical check-ins, medication monitoring, care plan updates, and 24/7 clinical access between visits. CCM helps prevent hospitalizations and ER visits by proactively managing ongoing health conditions.

Question 9

What is Transitional Care Management (TCM)?

Accepted Answer

Transitional Care Management (TCM) is a Medicare-covered service that bridges the gap between a hospital or skilled nursing facility (SNF) discharge and return to home. Five Star House Calls conducts a follow-up visit within 7 days of discharge to review medications, update the care plan, and prevent readmission. TCM is available for patients discharged from hospitals, SNFs, and rehabilitation facilities.

Question 10

What is the GUIDE program?

Accepted Answer

GUIDE (Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience) is a CMS Innovation Center program that provides comprehensive support for patients with dementia and their caregivers. Five Star House Calls participates in GUIDE to deliver care coordination, caregiver respite, and dementia-specific care management directly in the home.

Question 11

Can Five Star House Calls order home health services like physical therapy or nursing?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Five Star House Calls providers can order and supervise home health care services including physical therapy (PT), occupational therapy (OT), speech therapy, and skilled nursing. As part of the Five Star family of companies, which includes Five Star Home Health Care, we provide fully integrated care coordination across medical and therapy services.

Question 12

What is the difference between house calls and home health care?

Accepted Answer

House calls refer to primary care visits by a physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant who diagnoses, treats, and manages medical conditions in the home. Home health care refers to skilled nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and personal care aide services. Five Star House Calls provides house call (primary care) services and can order and coordinate home health care services through our sister company, Five Star Home Health Care.

Question 13

What insurances does Five Star House Calls accept?

Accepted Answer

Five Star House Calls accepts Medicare Part B, most Medicare Advantage plans, and select commercial insurances. Coverage details vary by plan. Our Intake Nurse Navigator will verify your specific coverage at no cost before your first visit. Call 703-436-0150 to confirm your insurance is accepted.

Question 14

Is there a cost for a house call visit?

Accepted Answer

Out-of-pocket costs vary depending on your specific Medicare coverage. Patients with a Medicare supplement (Medigap) plan often have little to no out-of-pocket cost, while those with Original Medicare may be responsible for deductibles and coinsurance. Patients with Medicare Advantage plans may have a copay or other cost-sharing depending on their plan. Our team will help explain your expected costs before your first visit.

Question 15

What should I expect during my first house call visit?

Accepted Answer

During your first house call, a Five Star House Calls provider will conduct a comprehensive medical evaluation in your home. This includes a full health history review, physical examination, medication reconciliation, and assessment of your home environment and safety. The provider will develop a personalized care plan and schedule follow-up visits. Family members and caregivers are welcome to participate.

Question 16

Can family members or caregivers be present during a house call?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Family members and caregivers are encouraged to be present during house call visits. Five Star House Calls providers work closely with family caregivers to provide education, guidance, and coordination. Supporting the caregiver is an important part of our care model.

Question 17

Does Five Star House Calls provide after-hours or emergency care?

Accepted Answer

Five Star House Calls provides 24/7 live phone access at 703-436-0150. A real nurse answers every call — no voicemail, no automated system. For urgent medical concerns, our clinical team can provide guidance and, when appropriate, arrange an urgent home visit. For life-threatening emergencies, patients should call 911.

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