How a HouseCalls visit changed – and likely saved – one man’s life
HouseCalls offers in-home care to eligible UnitedHealthcare Medicare members.
Last year, Roy Gault got a knock on the door — and it probably saved his life.
Gault, who is in his late 70s, was feeling fine when nurse practitioner Diana Dombrowski showed up at his home for a HouseCalls visit.
Gault was hesitant, and a bit skeptical about the benefit of the visit. He wasn’t on any medications. He was in good health and stayed active with activities like golf. He had retired from a successful career in advertising but kept his mind active with some occasional consulting work.
Mentally and physically, Gault felt sharp, and the last thing he thought he needed was an in-home health and wellness visit. But little did he know, he was on the brink of having a stroke or heart attack.
A life-changing – or lifesaving – health check
For UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage members like Gault, HouseCalls is a yearly, in-home health and wellness clinical service — a checkup that comes as a plan benefit, at no cost. The visit helps members stay on top of their health and wellbeing between doctor appointments.
During the visit, a licensed physician or nurse practitioner will review an individual’s medical history, answer questions, perform a physical exam and offer a health screening. These visits also give HouseCalls health care professionals the opportunity to assess the social, emotional and environmental needs of a member that usually cannot be assessed in a clinic setting.
On a typical day, Dombrowski, who is based in Colorado, may drive 20 to 130 miles from her home, visiting individuals in Fremont and Pueblo counties. She usually spends around 45 minutes to an hour with each person, taking the time to discuss concerns and answer questions.
“Having that time is so unique and important,” said Dombrowski. “We have the time to help people feel comfortable opening up. And we have the time for that coaching, advocacy and wellness education.”
“We typically call 24 to 48 hours before a scheduled visit, as a reminder and to walk through what members can expect,” said Dombrowski. “When I called Mr. Gault, I couldn’t get ahold of him. But our policy is that we still show up, as you never know why someone might not be answering the phone.”
In this case, the “better safe, than sorry” approach proved to be lifechanging — and very likely lifesaving.
Why prevention matters
For Gault, the visit started quite routinely. Dombrowski explained the purpose of the HouseCalls program and its benefits.
Next, she asked about his health history and Gault mentioned he hadn’t seen his primary care provider in five years, and that he had high blood pressure and prostate cancer in the past.
On the surface, Gault appeared to be quite healthy. “He wasn’t exhibiting any concerning physiological symptoms,” Dombrowski said. However, that quickly changed.
During the exam, although Gault wasn’t feeling dizzy or lightheaded, his pulse registered very low. Then, she took his blood pressure and it was very high.
“Combined with his pulse rate reading that was concerningly low, right there, I stopped the visit. I told him, ‘We need to get you to urgent care or the ER right now,’” she said.
“He was incredibly close —whether it would have been that day, week or month — to having a very a dire health event like a stroke or heart attack. I don’t think I’ve ever seen someone who was looking and acting so normal, with numbers like that,” Dombrowski recalled. “You can feel well and be fully functional, but there are things happening beneath the surface that can put you at such
high-risk for a major event that can change the rest of your life.”
Dombrowski moved into action. She called urgent care first and reported what was going on. The triage nurse recommended heading straight to the emergency room. So then, Dombrowski called the ER to give them the background on Gault’s situation.
Empowering positive outcomes
On Dombrowski’s advice, Gault got in the car with a friend who drove him to the ER. “When we got there, the hospital staff were waiting for me because Diana had called them and explained the urgency of the circumstances,” he said. “Immediately, I was admitted and worked on.”
Gault had, indeed, been dangerously close to a major stroke or heart attack and stayed in the intensive care unit for three days. “They ran a variety of tests, got me on a medication regimen to slowly get my blood pressure and heart rate back where they needed to be.” Hypertension is a condition which can go unnoticed, making homebased monitoring all the more critical, explained Dombrowski.
When she called to check in a week later, Gault explained he was now seeing a cardiologist and set up with a primary care provider. “It felt so good to know that he had that continuity of care in place,” she said.
Speaking about his experiences with Dombrowski, Gault said, “She’s not
there to just check a box or run a few tests. She explains things along the way and follows up.”
Said Dombrowski, “I know without a doubt that any one of my colleagues would have done the exact same thing – and they do. It’s the framework of the program that enabled this to happen.”
“I have encouraged so many people I know — my family, my circle of friends — about the importance of this preventive care,” said Gault. “What you see in the mirror might not be what’s going on. It’s your life, you need to preserve it. I’m just such an advocate for the HouseCalls program. It literally saved my life, that one visit from her — she was like an angel — and it’s free with your plan.”
To learn more about UnitedHealthcare’s HouseCalls program and find plans that offer this vital service, visit UHCMedicareHealthPlans.com.
Plans are insured or covered by a Medicare Advantage organization with a Medicare contract and/or a Medicare-approved Part D sponsor. Enrollment in the plan depends on the plan’s contract renewal with Medicare. For Dual Special Needs Plans: A Medicare Advantage organization with a Medicare contract and a contract with the State Medicaid Program.
Benefits, features and/or devices vary by plan/area. Limitations and exclusions apply. HouseCalls may not be available in all areas.