Mercer Island doctor brings back house calls2003-12-29
by DeAnn Rossetti
Mercer Island Reporter Staff
Maybe your son has just dumped his skateboard, opening a deep gash on his arm. Or maybe you've recently had surgery and you need your stitches removed, but you're bed-bound and it takes a lot of effort to get to the doctor's office. Who you gonna call? Mercer Island residents can call Dr. David Naibert, who is bringing back an old style of medicine with a house-calls-only practice here. Naibert is available to fix bumps, scratches and nearly anything else with an amazing array of portable medical equipment in four black bags he keeps in his big red truck seven days a week. ``I have my treatment bag, my diagnostic bag, my medical records bag and my secret bag,'' he says. ``I have four different volumes of current medical reference books on my laptop.'' Naibert knew as early as junior high that he wanted to be a doctor. The 1987 graduate from the University of Washington medical school was in the Army Reserves and was called up for Operation Desert Storm to work with the 50th General Hospital in Saudi Arabia in 1991. Moved to Montana After returning from Desert Storm, Naibert felt Seattle had become too crowded, so he moved to Montana, a favorite fly fishing spot for him and his father. Naibert worked for a hospital clinic, then went into private practice. But then he took on too much. He was the hospital's chief of staff, medical director of the local nursing home, a director on the hospital board, and the county health officer for the health department. In addition, Naibert worked as the company physician for a mining company and covered two hospital emergency rooms on the weekends. ``My theory (in moving to Montana) was to enjoy a higher quality of life,'' the doctor says, ``and it turned out I didn't have time to enjoy anything.'' When the stress finally got to Naibert, he began using prescription drugs and alcohol. After struggling for a while, he received treatment and is now clean and sober. ``I call it the great meltdown,''' he says. ``My life was in danger, and I realized it, and called it quits. Most doctors keep (addictions) hush-hush, but it's a big part of where I am and who I am today. I don't want any more secrets in my life.'' ``It's hard to describe how much better my life is now. My outlook and zest for living have returned.'' Became contractor Naibert didn't immediately resume his hectic life as a physician. He became a general contractor, working for Beckes Homes on Mercer Island as project manager, building high-end waterfront homes. But he found he missed the patients and interaction. ``Being able to help another human being who is suffering is a powerful motivator,'' Naibert says. ``There were things I loved and things I hated about being a doctor, and the things I hated were almost enough to make me stay away from what I believe is a calling.'' Naibert brainstormed ways to eliminate everything he disliked about being a doctor, and started Lake Washington Private Medicine, his house-call practice. ``I wanted to base my practice on good science and on wellness,'' Naibert says. ``So little of healing is about taking a medication or seeing a doctor.'' Naibert approaches the patient as a whole person with thoughts, emotions and a physical ailment. He wants to help people work toward living healthy lifestyles so they can heal faster. The key for him is time. Too many physicians spend 20 minutes or less with their patients; Naibert wants to spend as much time as the patient wants, explaining their diagnosis and prognosis in plain English. Call 911 for emergencies He doesn't deal with life-threatening emergencies, however. ``Your first response in that case should be to call 911, not me,'' he says. Apart from that, Naibert says 85 percent of what can be done in a clinic, he can do from his truck for patients in the comfort of their own homes. Naibert charges $350 per house call and requires that patients pay with cash or check. Certain procedures will cost more to cover supplies. He provides patients with receipts that shows what procedures were done so they can submit the bills to their insurance companies for reimbursement. ``I cost less than an ER visit,'' he says, ``plus you won't have to wait six hours in the waiting room.'' Naibert wants to restrict his practice to Mercer Island. ``Travel time is important,'' he says. ``I have to be close to my patients. ``I get the satisfaction of practicing medicine as it was once practiced, in the way it should be, not constrained by outside forces. I practice rural medicine, not like city doctors who will refer a patient with a hangnail to a hand surgeon.'' Naibert can be reached at 206-200-5867. His Web site is www.lwpmed.com. ``I can do most everything (patients) need, like give a kid stitches in the kitchen,'' he says. ``It's a wonderful thing when it works right.'' MORE DOCTORS MAKE HOUSE CALLS The number of doctors who make house calls is growing but will remain a distinct minority for some time to come, according to the 700-member American Academy of Home Care Physicians. Most home visits now billed by physicians are for care that is reimbursable under Medicare for the disabled, the elderly or those with chronic diseases who are home-bound. According to Medicare data, nearly 1.6 million house calls were made last year. That number is expected to grow. Home-care visits nearly always require pre-authorization or a referral from a physician for insurance companies to pay. But, medical issues regarding chronic diseases such as diabetes or osteoporosis are not dealt with well in the medical office environment and doctors know that,'' Row noted. As with any health care service, it is probably best to check with your insurance company first before scheduling a visit. -- Mercer Island Reporter Sophie Pangrazzi/Mercer Island Reporter Dr. David Naibert of Mercer Island says that apart from emergencies, 85 percent of what can be done in a clinic he can do from his truck for patients in their own homes. | 
