Frequently Asked Questions

Common Questions About VPS

Below are some frequently asked questions that may help our patients and their family members learn more about our services.

For more information, call 732-571-1000 or email us at info@visiting-physician.com.

Who is Visiting Physician Services?

Visiting Physician Services, part of the Parker Advanced Care Institute at VNA Health Group, is the largest physician-based geriatric house call practice in New Jersey. We have been making house calls to older adult and homebound patients for over 30 years. Our mission is to enable patients to stay at home as they age by providing quality in-home medical care.

Who needs a Visiting Physician?

Visiting Physician focuses on meeting the medical needs of the older adult and homebound patient. If you or a loved one experiences any of the following, you may want to consider a visiting physician:

  • Have regular difficulty getting to the doctor
  • Have multiple chronic conditions
  • Have been recently hospitalized
  • Take several medications
  • Frequently visit the emergency room

Visiting Physician would assume your medical care and become your primary care physician. However, we would coordinate care with your other medical specialists (cardiologist, pulmonologist, etc.) as appropriate.

What is VPS’ relationship with VNA Health Group?

In 2015, VPS joined forces with VNA Health Group to better serve our patients and expand the breadth of services and resources available to you and your loved ones.

What is the Parker Advanced Care Institute?

VNA Health Group and Parker Health Group have partnered to launch the Parker Advanced Care Institute at VNAHG (PACI). Each organization with over 100 years of experience in caring for the aging population have joined forces in an effort to bring additional resources and programs to more seniors in their homes. PACI addresses the healthcare needs of homebound, high risk older adults and is comprised of two main services: Visiting Physician Services (VPS), our home-based primary care practice for older adult and homebound patients whose mission is to enable patients to stay at home as they age with an improved quality of life. The other component is our Palliative Care Program which is an individualized approach to addressing physical, emotional, cultural and spiritual needs of patients and families facing a serious or life-limiting illness. PACI’s holistic, patient-centered approach includes care coordination, specialty services, advanced care planning, in-home palliative care and medical advocacy. Palliative care can be provided in the home or a facility.

What are the benefits of using a Visiting Physician Service?

House calls allow patients to remain in their homes as long as possible while improving their outcomes and quality of life. By seeing patients in their own comfortable environment, their health care experience is greatly improved. Other benefits of house calls include:

  • Reduced stress of getting to and from the doctor’s office
  • Lessens the anxiety faced by families caring for frail/sick relatives
  • Accurate evaluation of the home situation
  • Complete coordination of care
  • Better communication with family members/caregivers
  • Fewer hospital and emergency room visits
  • Peace of mind and more quality time

Where are you located and what is your service area?

Visiting Physician Services’ administrative office is located in Holmdel, New Jersey. We serve patients in Ocean, Monmouth, Middlesex, Union, Essex, eastern Somerset, Passaic and Bergen Counties. Our doctors and clinical staff work in geographic teams within each of these counties so that we can be responsive to you and the area in which you live.

What type of physicians do you have?

Our doctors are board certified in Family Practice, Internal Medicine or Gerontology all with extensive experience in adult and geriatric care. Our medical staff also includes physician assistants and nurse practitioners who are board certified and expertly trained in providing the highest level of patient care.

What services does Visiting Physician provide?

Our highly trained medical staff is comprised of board-certified physicians, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners, all with extensive experience in adult and geriatric care. With advanced technologies available right at our fingertips, we’re able to provide the most comprehensive approach to both diagnosis and treatment of minor ailments to serious, chronic conditions.

  • Physical exams
  • Medication management
  • Chronic care management
  • Transitional care management from hospital/rehab to home
  • Urinary disorders
  • Evaluations:
    • Diabetic
    • Cardiac
    • Respiratory
    • Dementia
    • Nutrition
  • Flu and pneumonia vaccinations
  • Pre-surgery clearance evaluations
  • Wound care
  • Palliative and end of life care
  • In-home Diagnostic Testing
    • Bloodwork
    • Urinalysis
    • X-rays
    • EKGs
    • Echocardiograms, Ultrasounds, Dopplers

Visiting Physician works closely with other home care and visiting specialists and can arrange for the following services if needed: podiatrists, dentists, optometrists, hearing care specialists, durable medical supplies, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, visiting nurse services and hospice care.

What conditions do you treat and manage?

Visiting Physician treats minor ailments to serious, chronic illnesses. Below is a list of the more commonly treated conditions.

  • Advancing Age/Frailty
  • Alzheimer’s and Dementia
  • Asthma
  • Balance Impairment/Gait Abnormalities
  • Bronchitis/Pneumonia
  • Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
  • Congestive Heart Failure (CHF)
  • Depression
  • Diabetes
  • Heart Conditions/Hypertension
  • Kidney Disease
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Osteoporosis
  • Multiple Sclerosis
  • Parkinson’s Disease
  • Stroke
  • Urinary Incontinence/Bladder Infections

What can I expect at a house call visit?

Your initial visit includes a physical examination, assessment of your surroundings, monitoring of your nutritional status and taking a full medical history. We also perform blood tests, EKGs and arrange for X-Rays if needed. After your first visit, we will continue to monitor your care and condition and will schedule follow-up visits as medically necessary.

Can I still see my regular physician?

While our doctors do work hand in hand with your specialists in managing your care, we do recommend that you utilize one doctor as your primary care physician. We would be happy to come out and make a house call visit, however, we would need to become your primary care doctor.

What if I have to go to the hospital?

If you need to be admitted to the hospital, VPS works closely with a team of admitting physicians/hospitalists to ensure seamless continuity of care. We stay in close contact with your admitting physician so that we can monitor your progress. Our doctors will resume care once you are discharged from the hospital.

What safety measures are being taken during an in-home visit?

We follow all safety protocols when making house calls which include wearing masks, complete hand hygiene and social distancing with family members when appropriate.

Does VPS offer Telehealth visits?

Visiting Physician Services offers patients Telehealth visits in addition to their regular in-home visits.

Telehealth allows us to care for our patients remotely by using HIPAA compliant video-conferencing tools such as a Smart phone or laptop. Telehealth visits are helpful in monitoring patients in between their in-person visits. Through Telehealth we can:

– Conduct follow up visits

– Continue to manage multiple, chronic conditions

– Provide remote post-hospitalization/rehab care

– Provide preventive care and support by connecting you to community resources

Telehealth visits are covered by Medicare just like an in-person house call. Please call our office at 732-571-1000 if you are interested in having a Telehealth visit or would like to schedule a house call visit. We are here to support you in providing the best care possible.

Can you arrange for a visiting podiatrist or medical equipment?

Yes. Visiting Physician works closely with other home care specialists including dentists, podiatrists and optometrists as well as visiting nurses and medical equipment supply companies. We can arrange for these services as the need arises.

What about medications?

We prescribe and monitor your medications making adjustments as necessary to ensure proper medication management.

Are house calls covered by insurance?

Visiting Physician accepts traditional Medicare, Horizon, Amerigroup, Aetna Medicare and WellCare. Patients or their supplemental insurance are responsible for the 20% not covered by Medicare and the annual deductible. We also accept Private Pay.

How do I schedule an appointment?

If you would like more information or want to schedule an appointment, please call us at 732-571-1000. We will complete a brief intake and will be able to schedule an appointment within a few days.

Please note that we are not an emergency/same day service. However, our clinicians are on call 24/7 to answer questions and concerns.

You may also request more information by using the following email: info@visiting-physician.com.

Contact Us

Thank you for your interest in VNA Health Group. We welcome the opportunity to answer any questions you have about our services.

Please fill out the form or call us at 800-862-3330