Frequently Asked Questions

You can schedule a wound care visit by calling our care coordinator at (314) 804-8364 Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM, or by submitting our online referral form at any time. Healthcare providers, patients, and family members can all initiate a referral. Once we receive your request, our care coordinator verifies insurance, confirms the patient's location, and schedules the first visit. We respond to all referrals within 24 to 48 hours.

A physician referral is helpful but not always required to get started. Patients and family members can contact us directly, and we will work with the patient's physician to obtain any necessary orders for wound care. Some insurance plans do require a physician's order, and our care coordinator will help navigate that process. If you are unsure, just give us a call at (314) 804-8364 and we will guide you through the steps.

We treat a comprehensive range of chronic and complex wounds including diabetic foot ulcers, venous leg ulcers, pressure ulcers (bedsores), arterial ulcers, surgical wound complications, traumatic wounds, burns, skin graft management, and post-amputation wound care. If you have a wound that is not healing, we can help. Visit our conditions page to learn more about each wound type.

Yes. Gateway Wound Care accepts Medicare, Medicaid, Medicare Advantage, and most commercial insurance plans. We handle all insurance verification, authorization, and billing. Patients and families do not need to worry about insurance paperwork. Wound care is covered when it is medically necessary and properly documented. If you have questions about your specific coverage, call us at (314) 804-8364 and our team will check for you.

Gateway Wound Care accepts Medicare, Medicaid, Medicare Advantage, and most commercial insurance plans. We handle all insurance verification and billing so patients and families do not have to worry about costs. Wound care is typically covered when it is medically necessary and properly documented. Our care coordinators can check your specific coverage and answer any questions about billing. Call us at (314) 804-8364 to discuss your insurance and costs.

Mobile wound care means that a board-certified wound care specialist travels to your home, nursing facility, or assisted living community to provide professional wound assessment and treatment. You do not need to travel to a hospital or clinic. Our specialist brings all necessary equipment, supplies, and dressings. We provide the same quality of care you would receive at a wound care center, delivered in the comfort of your own environment. We serve the entire St. Louis metropolitan area.

During your first visit, our specialist will evaluate your wound in detail, measuring its size, depth, and tissue characteristics. They will review your medical history and current medications, assess factors that affect healing such as circulation, nutrition, mobility, and sensation, and photograph the wound for documentation and progress tracking. Based on this assessment, they will develop a personalized treatment plan, explain it to you and your family, answer your questions, and schedule follow-up visits. The first visit typically takes 45 to 60 minutes. Please have your medication list, insurance card, and any recent lab results available.

Visit frequency depends on the wound type, severity, and how it responds to treatment. Most patients receive visits one to three times per week. Your specialist will determine the appropriate visit schedule based on your wound's needs and adjust the frequency as healing progresses. Some wounds may initially need more frequent visits that taper as healing improves.

Absolutely. We encourage family members and caregivers to be present during wound care visits. This is a valuable opportunity to learn about the wound, understand the treatment plan, ask questions, and learn wound care techniques for between visits. Educated, engaged caregivers are an important part of successful wound healing, and we are happy to include them in every step of the process.

If you notice increasing redness, swelling, or warmth around the wound, a foul smell, cloudy or increasing drainage, or a fever, contact us right away at (314) 804-8364. If symptoms are severe, such as high fever, chills, or rapidly spreading redness, go to your nearest emergency room. Between scheduled visits, our team is available to address urgent concerns and can often arrange an earlier visit if needed. Prompt attention to signs of infection is critical for preventing serious complications.

Healing time varies significantly depending on wound type, size, depth, underlying health conditions, nutrition, and patient adherence to the treatment plan. Some wounds heal in a matter of weeks, while others, particularly large or chronic wounds, may take several months. Your specialist will provide realistic healing expectations during your first visit and keep you updated on progress throughout treatment. Factors you can control, such as nutrition, blood sugar management, staying off a wounded foot, and following wound care instructions, have a major impact on healing speed.

We serve the entire greater St. Louis metropolitan area, including more than 30 communities such as St. Louis City, Clayton, Kirkwood, Webster Groves, Chesterfield, Ladue, Florissant, St. Charles, O'Fallon, Wentzville, St. Peters, Ballwin, and many more. We visit patients in private homes, skilled nursing facilities, assisted living communities, group homes, and memory care units. Visit our service area page for a complete list. If you are not sure whether we cover your location, call us at (314) 804-8364.

Mobile wound care eliminates the burden of traveling to a clinic or hospital, which is especially important for patients with limited mobility, chronic pain, or complex health conditions that make transportation difficult. You receive specialist-level wound care in the comfort and safety of your own home or facility, without waiting rooms or disruption to your day. Mobile wound care also allows your specialist to see your living environment and tailor recommendations accordingly. Many patients find that healing at home leads to better outcomes, less stress, and greater overall satisfaction with their care.

Home health nursing provides general medical care and support services in the home, such as medication administration, vital sign monitoring, and general health maintenance. Mobile wound care is specialized clinical expertise focused specifically on expert wound assessment, treatment with advanced techniques like debridement and compression therapy, and management of complex wounds. Many patients benefit from both: home health nurses provide general nursing care and support, while our wound care specialists provide the specialized expertise that chronic and complex wounds require. We work collaboratively with home health agencies to provide comprehensive care.

Yes, that is exactly what we do. Most wounds can be effectively cared for at home with professional wound care from our board-certified specialists. In fact, research shows that patients who receive wound care at home often experience better healing outcomes and greater satisfaction than those who must travel to clinics. We bring specialist-level wound care directly to your home, skilled nursing facility, or assisted living community, eliminating travel barriers and supporting faster, more comfortable healing in the place you feel most comfortable.

Yes. We regularly provide wound care to residents in skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), assisted living communities (ALFs), group homes, and memory care units throughout the St. Louis area. We work collaboratively with facility nursing staff and management to provide expert wound care while respecting the facility's operations and schedules. For facilities with multiple residents needing wound care, we can establish regular visiting schedules. Facility Directors of Nursing can learn more about partnering with us.