News & Blogs | Fetter Health Care Network


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News & Blogs

Stay up to date on the latest news from Fetter Health Care Network by signing up for our newsletter and viewing updates from our team below.

News & Blogs

Stay up to date on the latest news from Fetter Health Care Network by signing up for our newsletter and viewing updates from our team below.

Want to stay informed about what’s going on with
Fetter Health Care Network?

Sign up for our quarterly e-newsletter, which features updates on our centers, services and providers. 


By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive marketing emails from: . You can revoke your consent to receive emails at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe® link, found at the bottom of every email. Emails are serviced by Constant Contact

Want to stay informed about what’s going on with
Fetter Health Care Network?

Sign up for our quarterly e-newsletter, which features updates on our centers, services and providers. 


By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive marketing emails from: . You can revoke your consent to receive emails at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe® link, found at the bottom of every email. Emails are serviced by Constant Contact

Latest News

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.


October 25, 2021

The Whys and Hows of Proper Dental Care

When considering your overall well-being, proper dental health and oral hygiene practices are more important than you may realize.

The mouth serves as the window to your overall health, and the condition it is in can give you and your health care provider key clues into your current state of wellness.

Bacteria and Poor Oral Hygiene

Like many parts of the body, the mouth is full of bacteria that are generally harmless to most thanks to proper dental hygiene practice (like daily brushing and flossing) and the body’s natural defenses.

But without proper care and attention, these bacteria can build up, leading to various oral issues. These can include:

  • Cavities
  • Cracked teeth
  • Receding gums
  • Gum disease
  • Oral Cancer

How does oral health affect overall health?

As the direct point of entry to the respiratory and digestive tracts, the mouth serves as the body’s gatekeeper. Issues that begin here, if left untreated, can also start to cause problems in other parts of the body.

In their research, the Mayo Clinic, a nonprofit American academic medical center, links the development of several non-oral health conditions to issues stemming from and related to poor dental care, including:

  • A bacterial infection of the heart chambers and valves
  • Heart disease, clogged arteries and stroke
  • Pregnancy complications
  • Pneumonia

This integral role that the mouth plays is why proper dental care is key to keeping the body well. It is also why Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC) like Fetter Health Care Network place such importance on dental care.

How you can practice proper dental care?

While the issues that can arise from poor dental and oral health can become severe, the steps and practices to avoid these outcomes are often quite simple:

Floss daily to clean between teeth. Though unfortunately overlooked by many, flossing is a crucial step in the dental care process. Flossing allows you to hit those hard-to-reach spots that you may not be able to with a toothbrush.

Add mouthwash to your dental care routine. Fluoride-rich mouthwash can help to strengthen your teeth and remove any excess particles that may still be leftover after brushing and flossing.

Brush your teeth twice a day. Proper and consistent brushing is essential to any good dental care routine. While brushing in the morning is a great way to freshen your breath for the day, nightly brushing is just as important as it allows you to remove any bacteria or acids present from meals throughout the day.

The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends brushing for at least two minutes per session, along with the use of fluoride toothpaste. You may consider using a power toothbrush as well if you find yourself with increased plaque build-up.

While anyone can adopt this step, the ADA especially recommends this for those with an increased risk of gum disease.

Limit your intake of sugary beverages and snacks. Everyone loves a sweet treat every now and then, and that’s ok! However, it is possible to have too much of a good thing.

Drinks and snacks high in sugar, like soda and candy, can cause cavities and tooth decay. Limiting your consumption of these sugary treats can be an excellent way to help both your dental and overall health.

Schedule regular appointments with your dentist. While a daily dental routine is essential for overall oral hygiene, paying regular visits to a trained dental specialist is the best way to ensure there are no missed complications.

Fetter is here for you!

If you are located in the Lowcountry and are experiencing any dental issues, reach out to Fetter Health Care Network today to schedule your next visit.

Appointments are available with both our in-house team at Charleston Family Health Center and our mobile dental unit.

For additional tips on how you can reduce the risk of cavities, gum disease, and other oral issues, we recommend checking out the ADA’s Home Oral Care Guide.

Dental Health Services at Fetter Health Care Network

Fetter Health Care Network offers a wide variety of dental and oral health services and affordable payment options. Learn more by contacting our team or scheduling an appointment today.


Fetter Health Care provides a “Good Faith Estimate” for health care upon request to the uninsured and those choosing to not use insurance. To learn more, visit our Billing & Insurance page. 

Fetter Health Care Network is a Health Center Program grantee under 42 U.S.C. 254b, and a deemed Public Health Service employee under 42 U.S.C. 233(g)-(n). This health center receives HHS funding and has federal Public Health Service (PHS) deemed status with respect to certain health-related claims, including medical malpractice claims, for itself and its covered individuals.

 

51 Nassau Street Charleston, SC 29403 Phone 843-722-4112

© Copyright Fetter Health Care Network | 2024

51 Nassau Street Charleston, SC 29403 Phone 843-722-4112

Fetter Health Care provides a “Good Faith Estimate” for health care upon request to the uninsured and those choosing to not use insurance. To learn more, visit our Billing & Insurance page.

Fetter Health Care Network is a Health Center Program grantee under 42 U.S.C. 254b, and a deemed Public Health Service employee under 42 U.S.C. 233(g)-(n). This health center receives HHS funding and has federal Public Health Service (PHS) deemed status with respect to certain health-related claims, including medical malpractice claims, for itself and its covered individuals.

© Copyright Fetter Health Care Network | 2024

Patient Portal Notice

We are currently experiencing technical difficulties with our patient portal. At this time, patients are unable to schedule appointments online. We are sorry for the inconvenience and appreciate your understanding, as our staff is working to resolve the issue. Please call 843-722-4112 or call the location nearest you to schedule your appointment.