January 18, 2022

Fetter Health Care Network selected to participate in COVID-19 therapeutics program

Fetter Health Care Network (Fetter) has been selected by the federal government to participate in the COVID-19 Therapeutics Program, providing the opportunity to administer oral antiviral medication for patients experiencing mild to moderate COVID-19 illness, following the issuance of Emergency Use Authorization from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). In partnership with the Health Resources and Services Administration and the Department of Health and Human Services, Fetter will launch this effort on Wednesday, Jan. 19 at several of its sites throughout the Lowcountry. 

“Our top priority at this time is to ensure underserved communities affected by COVID-19 have easy access to FDA-authorized or approved COVID-19 oral antiviral pills,” said Aretha Powers, DHA, CEO of Fetter. “Throughout the pandemic, our team has intentionally focused on caring for individuals and communities who have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic, including those experiencing homelessness, migratory agricultural workers, public housing residents, minority communities, rural residents, elderly and those with limited English proficiency. As we step into this next phase of serving our communities, this mission will remain.”

Fetter will adhere to the FDA’s eligibility recommendations when assessing whether patients medically qualify to receive COVID-19 antiviral medication. Fetter will conduct a rapid antigen test on symptomatic patients and a medical provider will determine proper treatment based on various criteria including age, vaccination status and past medical history. Fetter will also uphold its standards to ensure no patient is denied service due to an individual’s inability to pay and will continue its commitment to providing care for patients who are uninsured, underinsured, insured and those who have Medicaid and Medicare. 

In an effort to increase access to treatment, Fetter will offer free COVID-19 testing and antivirals to individuals who qualify at locations throughout Charleston, Berkeley, Dorchester and Colleton Counties based on the following schedule: 

Charleston Family Health Center  | 51 Nassau Street, Charleston, SC 29403 | Monday – Friday | 8 – 11 a.m.

Enterprise Pediatrics Health Center  | 2047 Cornstock Ave. Charleston, SC 29405 | Monday – Thursday | 8 – 11 a.m.

Thaddeus J. Bell, MD Family Health Center | 130 Varnfield Dr. Summerville, SC 29483 | Monday, Wednesday, Friday | 8 – 11 a.m.

Elijah Wright Family Health Center | 1681 Old Hwy. 6, Cross, SC 29436 | Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday | 8 – 11 a.m.

Walterboro Family Health Center | 302 Medical Park Drive #111, Walterboro, SC 29488 | Wednesday, Thursday, Friday | 8 – 11 a.m.

Johns Island Family Health Center | 3627 Maybank Hwy., Johns Islands SC 29455 | Tuesday & Wednesday | 8 – 11 a.m.

Hollywood Family Health Center | 5225 Highway165, Hollywood, SC 29449 | Thursday & Friday | 8 – 11 a.m.

About Fetter Health Care Network

For more information on the COVID-19 Therapeutics program, visit the website of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. To learn more about Fetter, its range of services, COVID-19 vaccination clinics and more, visit FetterHealthCare.org.

Fetter Health Care Network is a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) chartered as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in the State of South Carolina in 1975. Fetter provides comprehensive services for insured, uninsured and underserved residents in Berkeley, Charleston, Colleton and Dorchester Counties. Today, Fetter Health Care Network has 27 different sites which includes mobile units, medical laboratories and pharmacies.

January 11, 2022

How does case management affect my health care?

At Fetter Health Care Network, we know that the individual needs of our patients are as unique as they are and we have created a diverse portfolio of services to meet the needs of the individuals we serve here in the Lowcountry. However, there may be times when personal factors impact your health or your ability to seek treatment.   

We understand that the factors surrounding our patients’ lives are never one and the same. Fetter’s Case Management Services were created with this problem in mind. The needs of our patients are as unique as they are, and Fetter is working to get them the care and services they need. 

Case Management Services makes health care simple.

Together with our case management team, Fetter strives to remove the social, physical and economic barriers to receiving affordable, comprehensive health care. Our case management team can assist patients with:

Scheduling Patient Visits

Regular health care visits are essential to living a happy and healthy life. Aside from annual wellness visits, patients should see their providers for regular screenings (blood pressure, breast cancer and more). Fetter makes the scheduling process simple. Working with our patients, a member of our case management team can assist in scheduling appointments for various services if the individual is unable to do so themselves.

Case management teams provide value to our customers by helping them coordinate provider care. By working with patients to uncover their needs and barriers to health care, case managers educate patients and ensure they navigate care services in a way that is most effective for their care and efficient for the entire health care system.

Help with Health Insurance 

Case management team members are available to assist patients with medical insurance or those interested in getting a plan. Those without health insurance coverage are still able to be treated at all Fetter Health Care Network locations.

More often than not, the medical insurance landscape can seem overwhelming to the average person, but Fetter’s case management staff is specially trained to operate in this field. Knowledgeable team members can help patients sign up for health coverage and assist in applying it to future appointments.

Fetter Health Care Network currently accepts Medicaid, Medicare and most other commercial and private insurances. Patients can view Fetter’s full list of accepted providers on our website. 

Sliding Scale Fees

At Fetter, our team is committed to providing all patients with reliable and affordable health care services, regardless of their ability to pay. Through our sliding fee scale, we are able to offer excellent patient care for medical, dental, and pharmaceutical services, even to those who aren’t able to afford medical expenses

A case management specialist can assist patients in the explanation and navigation of these special payment terms. Sliding scale fee eligibility is figured yearly and can be determined by connecting with a financial eligibility specialist. 

To learn more about case management and other Fetter patient services or schedule your next wellness visit, visit us online at FetterHealthCare.org or call us at 843-722-4112.

January 5, 2022

Kicking Off Fitness in the New Year | 2022

Regular physical fitness is one of the best things you can do for your overall health. Of all the new year resolutions to adopt, committing to an exercise routine is the one your body will thank you for most.

While creating a routine is easy, sticking with your program can be another story entirely. From how to plan your routine to the benefits it will bring you, we’ve compiled a list of tips to help you make this year your most active (and healthiest) year yet!

The Benefits of Regular Exercise

Physical activity is the tried and true method for reaching your health goals. Regular exercise is good for your body. Aside from helping you achieve and maintain weight loss, it can also reduce your risk of chronic diseases like diabetes, high blood pressure and cholesterol and more.

You will also find regular activity is good for your mind. Studies show people who frequently exercise are more likely to have more positive moods and better mental health, along with better sleep.

The effects of exercise can be similar to physical and mental therapy. As with all forms of therapy, it is important to gather a baseline for yourself before beginning so that you can track your progress.

How do I start an exercise routine?

Evaluate your baseline fitness.

Your baseline is the starting point you will use to compare track your progress. Taking stock is important for any plan. Begin by evaluating your fitness level before you even begin. Developing a baseline for your starting fitness will help you develop personal goals for your program.

While assessing yourself, you may want to consider the following:

• Your pulse rate before (and after) walking one mile
• The time it takes to cover that distance
• Your maximum for exercises like push-ups, sit-ups, etc
• Your starting weight
• How much you are able to lift

Developing a baseline is also important for your safety. Knowing these starting points will allow you to prepare a routine that will push your body just enough to benefit without harming itself.

Take time to develop the details of your routine.

While you may be eager to jump right in, routines that art started without a plan often fall through. Creating a structured plan for an exercise routine requires some extra work up front but will make it much easier to stick with it in the long run.

Assessing your fitness goals is the first step in creating your plan. Are you looking to lose weight? Do you want to gain muscle? Is maintaining your current fitness important? From aerobics to weight training and more, the types of exercise you should adopt will vary based on what you hope to achieve. Knowing what your desired end results look like will help you tailor a plan to meet them.

Your time is important to the success of your plan as well. Even the most detailed routine is doomed for failure if there is no time to practice it. Always consult your schedule when mapping your routine to work exercises into your day.

Start your routine…

Once you have your routine mapped and the necessary equipment, you’re ready to begin! Don’t rush into things right as you begin. It is important to start slow and steady when beginning a new exercise routine. This will allow you to see how your body takes to physical activity. 

Beginning slowly will give you the freedom to make adjustments. Do not be ashamed to dial things back if you are feeling overexerted, but also feel free to go a bit harder if you do not feel the routine has pushed you enough. 

While exercise is a great way to get in shape, it can also cause injury if you push yourself too hard. Listening to your body can reduce the risk of injury. It is the best way to ensure regular exercise remains a safe and beneficial experience.

Also, remember exercise does not need to be all at once. Feel free to sprinkle pieces from your routine into your free time throughout the day.  Any exercise is better than none at all. The average adult should be doing about 150 minutes of moderate exercise or 75 minutes of intensity for general wellness per week. Those looking to make and maintain weight loss should aim for 300 minutes per week.

And stick with it!

You’ve started your routine; now begins the hard part. To keep committed to your exercise routine, it’s important to keep engaged and stay focused on the goal. 

Finding a fitness buddy to join you on your fitness journey is one way to stay on track. This can be a family member, a friend or anyone else that can encourage you to keep moving forward. Having someone join you can make exercises more enjoyable and can provide you with more motivation than a solo workout.

Also, make your routine regular. While spreading workouts out is acceptable when needed, selecting a specific, consistent time for them can be a great help if you struggle with committing. Creating a special “exercise time” will be useful in making regular exercise a habit.

While you’ve made your routine, leave room open for experimentation. Try to keep in mind any activities you enjoy that might not be part of your everyday exercise and substitute them when you need a recharge. Hiking, swimming, surfing and more are great ways to add a little extra excitement and variety when your normal routine starts to feel stale.

And while exercise is a great way to get healthy, regular wellness visits to your health care provider are essential for health upkeep and illness prevention. Fetter Health Care Network is committed to the wellbeing of all our patients throughout the Lowcountry and South Carolina. Contact us today to schedule your next Fetter wellness visit.

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