Role of House Calls in the Care of Patients With Pulmonary Disease.
Chest
; 157(5): 1250-1255, 2020 05.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-31785253
ABSTRACT
As the population ages, and more patients with chronic pulmonary diseases become frail and functionally impaired, the prevalence of homebound patients grows. Homebound patients have higher disease burden, inpatient utilization rates, and mortality than nonhomebound patients. Vulnerable homebound patients with pulmonary disease benefit from pulmonary expertise to evaluate and optimize their complex medication regimens; evaluate equipment such as nebulizers, home oxygen, ventilators, and suction machines; and coordinate services. We review the need and benefits of house calls for these patients, and illustrate these needs with cases. We also explore the logistics of making house calls part of pulmonary practice, including supplies needed, safety in the home, and reimbursement. Reimbursement has grown for house calls, and we review how to bill for visits, advance care planning, and care management that is often required when caring for patients with advanced illness. In addition, house calls can often be beneficial for patients who may be identified as high risk and are part of value-based agreements with payers.
Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Homebound Persons
/
House Calls
/
Lung Diseases
Type of study:
Prognostic_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
Limits:
Humans
Language:
En
Journal:
Chest
Year:
2020
Document type:
Article