Desert On Call Medical Group - URGENT CARE / AFTER HOURS: FAQs

When is it appropriate to request a housecall?
How quickly can a doctor be here?
Do housecalls have to be pre-scheduled?
What are the fees for a housecall?
What is the difference between your housecall service
and the emergency room?
Does On Call cover my neighborhood?
Can you do lab tests and blood work from my home?
Do the doctors carry medication?
Will you follow up with my primary physician?
Can you admit patients to a hospital if needed?
Can you make referrals to specialists if needed?

How will I pay for my care?
Do you take insurance?
How do I get reimbursed?

When is it appropriate to request a housecall?
A housecall is an appropriate option whenever medical assistance is required that is not life-threatening* or you are not able to reach your primary care physician. On Call’s doctors are always available to help. We commonly provide housecalls to patients who are too sick to get out of bed, as well as those who appreciate the convenience of waiting at home.

*If you think the problem is a true emergency, call 911 immediately.

How quickly can a doctor be here?
Very quickly. If you request an ‘urgent’ housecall, a physician can usually be there within one hour. If the housecall is not ‘urgent’, you can schedule the appointment at your convenience.

Do housecalls have to be pre-scheduled?
No. Our physicians are available 24 hours a day, whenever medical assistance is required. Simply call 760-776-0900 to schedule a housecall, or click here to request a non-urgent appointment online.

What are the fees for a housecall?
Housecalls, like office visits, are based on the medical complexity of the visit, as well as time spent. A basic, pre-scheduled daytime housecall for an established patient starts at $195; for a new patient, the fee starts at $260. Fees may increase if medication is dispensed during the visit, or if it is after hours or the weekend.
See fee schedule.

What is the difference between your housecall service and the emergency room?
Say you or your child feels ill in the middle of the night, and you feel a doctor is needed right away. Here is a sample breakdown between a housecall from On Call and a visit to the emergency room.

	On Call	ER
Avg. Price of Visit	$260.00	$150 co-pay (+deductible)
Avg. Time with the doctor	As long as you need	5-7 minutes
Avg. Wait Time	1 hour (for 'urgent' visit)	5 hours
Location	Your home or office	A crowded waiting room
Convenience Factor #1	On-site treatment	Travel & wait in pharmacy
Convenience Factor #2	Always available for questions	Can not contact ER doc
Convenience Factor #3	Stay in bed until well	A whole day getting care

Does On Call cover my neighborhood?
On Call physicians cover the area represented on our Area of Service. Please call 760-776-0900 with questions about specific areas.

Can you do lab tests and blood work from my home?
Yes. On Call physicians carry comprehensive medical kits and are able to carry out lab tests at the location of the housecall. Most results are available within 1-3 days, or the same day if tests are ordered STAT.

Do the doctors carry medication?
Yes. The physicians carry a small amount of pharmaceuticals to cover many common diagnoses (flu, bronchitis, food poisoning, severe headache, etc.) A day or two worth of these can be given to the patient until a complete prescription can be filled.

Will you follow up with my primary physician?
Yes. Upon your request, the On Call physician will follow up with your primary care physician and communicate the nature of the diagnosis and the course of action taken.

Can you admit patients to a hospital if needed?
Yes, On Call partners with Eisenhower Medical Center to ensure the service you need. Please inquire if you have a particular hospital you prefer. If you should need hospitalization, we can maintain contact with your hospital team and provide seamless follow up.

Can you make referrals to specialists if needed?
Yes, we can arrange consultations with top specialists in all fields necessary.

How will I pay for my care?
Desert On Call Medical Group is a fee for service medical practice. This means that all of our patients pay us at the time of service. Payment can be made by credit card; we accept all major credit cards. Depending on their insurance plans, many of our patients then submit their claims to insurance companies for reimbursement. We will supply you with all the necessary billing codes and paperwork for you to send to your insurance company.

We strive to have all aspects of our practice, including our professional fees, reflect our ethical and rational approach to your care. Our charges are based on the time we spend with you, the complexity of your condition, extended travel time (if applicable), and any materials or equipment we use.

Do you take insurance?
Our philosophy focuses care around the patients’ needs, rather than around insurance company policies. In order for our practice to provide unhurried, quality care, we ask that our patients pay for services at the time of the visit. When applicable, we supply all necessary billing codes and paperwork, and are happy to help if further problems arise.

How do I get reimbursed?
Desert On Call Medical Group provides all patients with a medical bill (known as a ‘superbill’) with the necessary codes for insurance carriers to process a claim; specifically the CPT and ICD-9 codes. We also provide a letter that the patient may send in with the superbill. Not all insurance companies or plans will reimburse for our services. Please call your insurance company, our office, or speak with the doctor to find out if your plan will reimburse for our services.

We welcome your comments and feedback.