Do Doctors Who Make House-Call Still Exist?

Have you heard about home doctors? Do they still exist?

One of the many reasons why home doctors are gaining popularity is because America’s elderly population is growing at a rapid pace.

In 2018, there were 52 million people age 65 and older, according to the Census Bureau’s Vintage Population Estimates. The share of older population has grown rapidly from 12.4% in 2000 to 16.0% in 2018. Moreover, according to the data from the 2020 census, the older population is becoming more significant.

Once upon a time, most doctors prefer to make house calls and they would come directly to their patient’s home to provide them with care. However, in the past few decades, the advancement of technology, transportation and the development of hospitals have brought a decline in home doctors.
However, in the coming few years, the number of house call doctors can increase significantly due to a number of reasons.

Elderly Population Is Growing Faster

One of the biggest reasons why the popularity of home doctors might be back is because America’s elderly population is growing at a fast pace. By the time we will reach 2030, American elders who are 65 years of age or above are going to make approximately 20 percent of the total population.

Further, about a decade later, the population of the elderly in America is expected to double and consists of about 70 million people. While some people will be able to make their way to the doctor’s office, some may be homebound or confined to senior living facilities. As a result, the doctor may be expected to travel to visit the patient in his home or assisted living facility.

As seniors are living longer, they need access to medical attention at the earliest and home doctors who are equipped to provide medical care in the comfort of the patient home are the best fit.

Patients With Mobility Issues

These days’ people are often afflicted with several chronic conditions such as:

Diabetes
Lung disease
Cancer
Heart disease
And more…

While some people living with chronic pain can travel to see their doctors, others may experience limited mobility which makes it difficult for them to visit the hospital. Without doctors who make a house call, these patients condition will deteriorate which will force them to stay longer in the hospital.

This is one of the reasons why home doctors still exist.

Insurance Companies Offer Better Reimbursement on Home Doctors

While there are not many home doctors available across the country, but studies have shown a steady increase in the number. As healthcare companies are able to operate with lower overhead costs they are seeing value in this concept.

As more and more healthcare companies stand to benefit from this concept, it could make a comeback in a big way.

Get Access to a House Call Doctor Today

Utah Doctors At Home aims at bringing back the concept of “Family Doctor”. Get the highest level of customized medical services in the comfort of your home by a team of skilled physicians, nurse practitioners, and healthcare professionals.