You could call Dr. Sarah Babineau a modern-day Marcus Welby.

Every Monday and Thursday, Babineau jumps into her blue Honda CR-V and heads to her patients' homes throughout King County. With her stylish purple-and-red doctor's bag that looks more like a sports tote, Babineau is able to bring care to those who are unable or unwilling to leave their homes to visit their doctors in a clinic.

Babineau works with Providence ElderPlace, a program that provides health care and social services for older adults. ElderPlace operates a center in the Rainier Valley, where most participants are brought for services that range from general health check-ups to physical therapy, nutritional counseling and social activities.

But for those patients who are unable or simply choose not to attend the center, Babineau will come to them - just as Dr. Welby did when he made house calls in the early 1970s TV show. Most live in retirement communities, adult family homes, or at home.

John Devine, 83, is one of Babineau's home-care patients. He is more than comfortable in his studio apartment at the El Dorado West assisted-living facility in Burien; he has no interest in going to the ElderPlace center to receive care or participate in activities.

"I told them I specialize in un-activities," said Devine in a charming Scottish brogue reminiscent of his native country. The retired professor of English literature and language would rather receive his care in the comfort of home.

And who can blame him? On one recent visit, Devine relaxed in his recliner while Babineau checked his blood pressure, heart rate and breathing. His check-ups consist of engaging conversations with Babineau and end with a shared cup of coffee and a visit in the facility's library.

"She's just a love," Devine said of Babineau. "It's lovely just having her here."

Babineau is among an increasing number of doctors in the Puget Sound region and throughout the United States who are returning to the old-fashioned house call, primarily for Medicare patients.

Nationally, doctors made more than 2 million house calls to Medicare patients in 2006, according to federal statistics cited by the American Academy of Home Care Physicians. That's up from 1.5 million visits in 2000, the academy reports.

The majority of patients receiving home medical visits are on Medicare, said Constance F. Row, executive director of the American Academy of Home Care Physicians.

That's because "most private insurance does not cover home visits," she explained. Some states, including Washington, also allow Medicaid to cover certain home visits.

The home visits made by Babineau are included in the services ElderPlace provides. ElderPlace's model of care is known as PACE - "Program of All Inclusive Care for the Elderly." Membership is open to those ages 55 and older who need help with daily living activities. Participants also must be eligible for Medicare, Medicaid, or have the ability to pay privately.

In an age of assembly-line medicine that limits visits to mere minutes, Babineau's home visits often take a half-hour or more.

"I'm really able to spend the time to get an overall picture of participants' health - not only physical, but emotional, mental, and social as well," she said. "I think I can get a more holistic view of a person by seeing them in their environment, surrounded by pictures of family or mementos gathered over the years, as well as getting to know the caregivers who provide so much care for them."

Charles Plunkett, president and founder of The Home Doctor, agrees.

His firm, based in Lakewood near Tacoma, provides home visits for more than 500 homes primarily in King, Pierce and Snohomish counties.

The practitioners "are generally able to spend more time, but what's also just as important ... is that they get to see (patients) in their environment and talk with their caregiver," Plunkett said. That enables the doctors to survey the patients' homes and recommend changes that will keep them healthier.

For many of Babineau's patients, a visit to the doctor's office would take a serious toll on their physical and mental well-being.

"For most of the people I see, making the journey into the clinic is too much for them to take," she said, adding, "I'm glad to be able to provide the service of seeing them in their home and therefore promoting their comfort."