Mobile nurses help fill healthcare gap

TAMPA (FOX 13) - Nurse practitioner Lindsey Cronk is heading in for another day at the office. However, today her office is Peggy Philio's home.

Lindsey makes house calls to people who cannot go to a doctor's office or health care facility – people like Philio, who is legally blind.  "It's a godsend, to not have to go out and trip over people and try to make your way around a place you don't know," she said. 

Cronk has worked in medical facilities before and says creating her own mobile business was an easy decision. "A lot of my patients had a hard time getting to the office, getting transportation, and waiting in the office.”

Aging baby boomers are increasing the demand for elder care. Cronk has more than 150 patients in the Tampa Bay area. "Some days I'll try to do more, but average I'll see five patients a day.”

The Association of American Medical Colleges estimates a shortfall of 105,000 primary care physicians by 2030. A lack of doctors means Cronk and other nurse practitioners will need to meet the growing need for care. 

However, not all of her patients are elderly. Keith Friedman lost both his legs to a MRSA infection. "I do drive, but getting in and out of the vehicle is difficult," he said. "She doesn't come in for 10 minutes and then leave. If she needs to be here for a half hour, she's here for a half hour."

Insurance is accepted the same way it would be in an office for a variety of services. The only difference is the patient has to have a specific need that meets medical necessity for having someone come to the home.

Cronk is so busy she is in the process of hiring a second nurse practitioner. 

LINK: For more information on her business, go to https://www.mobilemedicalcarefl.com/team-members/lindsey-cronk-arnp/