Moderator ventana Posted February 19, 2013 Moderator Share Posted February 19, 2013 From the Berkshire Eagle, 2/18/2013 - pretty darn excited! It is a long road, with lots of late nights, and unpaid efforts, but it does work and it is worth it - if anyone else is thinking about doing this just do it - it is worth it! MOBILE MEDIC Physician assistant Jeff Kellogg revives house calls By John Sakata Berkshire Eagle staff PITTSFIELD Jeff Kellogg is racking up odometer miles on his two Hondas since starting Berkshire Mobile Medicine late last year. A physician assistant, he joined with Dr. Charles D’Agostino to resuscitate the making of house calls. Years ago, doctors routinely visited patients at their homes, but in recent decades, for financial reasons, that practice has become rare. With about 200 patients, Kellogg said it’s evident that there’s strong demand. Pittsfield resident David Brown is among those who see value in the “house call.” He said it’s almost “impossible” for him to get to the doctor’s office because he has a progressed form of lymphedema — localized fluid retention and tissue swelling — which causes his legs to swell and go numb. With numb feet, he had to stop driving because at one point he stopped feeling the pedals. Even walking from the parking lot to the doctor’s office was a challenge. He called other doctors to make home visits, but they turned him down and he stopped going for treatment. After a recent mild heart attack, he was again challenged to get the treatment he needed and was referred to Kellogg. Rick Gulla, a spokesman for the Massachusetts Medical Institute, said he hasn’t heard of many doctors making house calls, but doctors are aware of a possible future demand with an aging senior population. In Northampton, physician Jill Griffin has taken to riding a bicycle in a new venture called PedalMed offering “health coaching” house calls to people with chronic diseases and other health issues after 17 years working in hospital emergency rooms. Kellogg’s patient Brown is appreciative. “He’s the first doctor ever not to say, ‘Your appointment is over and I’ve got to go,’ ” Brown said. Kellogg is the majority owner of Berkshire Mobile Medical and makes all home visits. D’Agostino is a minority partner. D’Agostino owns and runs Pittsfield-based Mountain Medicine on East Street, but Kellogg said Berkshire Mobile Medicine is not an auxiliary of the medical firm. Kellogg said state law requires physician assistants or registered nurses to team with a doctor to provide medical care. He said a physician assistant has two fewer semesters of training than a doctor and is not required to fulfill a residency. He was moved to set up a mobile practice after seeing his grandmother challenged to get medical care. “Seeing her struggle was definitely a realization to me that the need was huge,” Kellogg said. He said home visits became economically feasible for medical professionals like himself after studies by the U.S. Veteran’s Administration led Medicare three years ago to slightly increase the reimbursements for house calls. He also does not have to carry the cost of a secretary or office. With eight to 12 patients a day, he is optimistic about the long-term viability of his business. His patients are predominately on Medicare. In the coming months, he said he hoped to become covered also by New England Health and GIC. “They typically have pretty major medical issues,” he said. The house visits have been revealing. Kellogg said that one patient had respiratory problems and he was able to identify the cause as second-hand smoke. “When you’re sitting in the living room and kitchen room table, it’s easier to get to know them,” he said. Kellogg diagnosed a kidney problem for his patient David Brown and arranged for home help from a visiting nurse association. “I should have been on it for some time,” Brown said about the medication for his kidney problem. To qualify for a house call visit from Berkshire Mobile Medicine, patients must either need a device to walk, be unable to drive, have either a visual impairment or memory disorder, be bedridden, be restricted to limited activity following recent surgery, or unable leave home with out a “considerable or taxing effort.” Even without the amenities of an office, Kellogg is satisfied with his work. “I feel like I’ve found my niche,” he said. “It fits. It’s what I enjoy doing. It’s where I belong.” To reach John Salata: jsakata@berkshireeagle.com or (413)496-6240. On Twitter:@jsakata John Sakata / Berkshire Eagle Staff Physician Assistant Jeff Kellogg of Lanesborough is reviving the old-fashioned practice of making house calls with his Berkshire Mobile Medicine. He routinely visits six to 12 patients a day at their homes. Information Berkshire Mobile Medicine, (413) 442-4763 or email berkshiremobilemedicine@yahoo.com. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Contrarian Posted February 19, 2013 Share Posted February 19, 2013 Great Job ...!!!! :=D: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
physasst Posted February 19, 2013 Share Posted February 19, 2013 Congrats man...that is awesome!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator EMEDPA Posted February 19, 2013 Moderator Share Posted February 19, 2013 way to go Jeff! hope you also cross posted this at clinician1. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PA4me2010! Posted February 19, 2013 Share Posted February 19, 2013 You are my inspiration for today. I have been dreaming about doing this one day and now see that is it possible. I have a few years (actually many) to get my feet wet with real medicine first, then I would love to venture out and make my dream a reality. Since I was a little girl, I've dreamed of bringing this back to our communities. I believe this attests to what medicine is really about. Thank you for a wonderful representation of what our profession can do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmj11 Posted February 19, 2013 Share Posted February 19, 2013 I hope have great success. There is something liberating about being your own boss, and I would suspect practicing "outside the office" is liberating as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Paula Posted February 20, 2013 Share Posted February 20, 2013 Congrats, Jeff. Now we know what you look like! :smile: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lksimms Posted March 6, 2013 Share Posted March 6, 2013 I am veryinterested and hoping I can do something similar in KY. Any advice or mentors greatly appreciated as I am actively researching this right now and would like to approach prospective SPs in the next 1-2 months. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cinntsp Posted March 6, 2013 Share Posted March 6, 2013 Very cool and congrats to you. Having my own practice down the line is on my list of goals so it's great to see your success taking place. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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