Fidelis Care believes that quality, affordable healthcare should be accessible to all, regardless of where you live. National Rural Health Day is an important opportunity to raise awareness and recognize the unique challenges that rural residents face in accessing healthcare. By celebrating this day, we highlight our commitment to improving healthcare access and outcomes and providing support to rural healthcare providers and their patients.
Fidelis Care partners with many healthcare providers in rural areas, to ensure that residents have access to quality care closer to home. Rural communities face unique challenges because of limited access to major grocery stores, safe and affordable housing, transportation, and other resources.
“Fidelis Care has representatives in every community we serve to help eliminate the barriers some rural residents may face in enrolling in health coverage,” said Jennifer Lyons, Fidelis Care Director, Sales and Marketing. “We have established strong partnerships with various organizations, local food banks, schools, churches, and health care providers across the state.”
In recognition of National Rural Health Day, Fidelis Care highlights two of our many partners that serve remote communities across New York State: Oak Orchard Health and Nathan Littauer Hospital and Nursing Home and Primary and Specialty Care Centers.
Oak Orchard Health started 50 years ago with a single office focused on serving agricultural workers and has grown to now serve more than 30,000 patients from diverse backgrounds at 11 locations in Genesee, Monroe, Orleans, Steuben, and Wyoming counties.
“At Oak Orchard Health, we serve everyone no matter their income or health insurance status,” said Oak Orchard Health CEO Karen Kinter. “If they do not have health insurance, we connect them to one of our facilitated enrollers, including Fidelis Care. We also assist them in applying for these programs and aim to eliminate any barriers.”
If patients are unable to get to a health center, Oak Orchard Health has several options including free transportation to an Oak Orchard location, to their pharmacy, or to appointments for specialists. Telehealth services are also available, as well as a state-of-the-art Mobile Medical Unit that travels to rural areas to serve patients. The unit visits libraries, community centers, and farms. A Mobile Dental Unit also serves children in rural areas, visiting schools to provide dental cleanings, exams, and X-rays.
“Another important service is our interpretation services,” said Estela Sanchez Cacique, Oak Orchard Health Patient Engagement Services Manager. “Imagine going to see your doctor and they do not understand you. Interpretation services are vital to our patients. Fidelis Care is also a great partner because they have bilingual facilitated enrollers for our Spanish-speaking patients.”
Nathan Littauer Hospital and Nursing Home is a full-service acute care hospital with a skilled nursing home in Gloversville, Fulton County. Over the years, Littauer has expanded its rural health services to feature 11 Primary and Specialty Care Centers in Fulton, Hamilton, Herkimer, and Montgomery counties.
“The thing that I believe most people don’t understand about rural communities is how difficult it is for people to access the healthcare that they need,” said Haley Wilcox, Nathan Littauer Family Nurse Practitioner. “If someone is ill and needs care, transportation is one of the biggest barriers. When we work with these patients, we really must take these things into consideration.”
Along with centers in remote areas closer to where people need care, Littauer brings in specialists from larger hospital systems and has a program where couriers deliver prescriptions to satellite sites, giving patients easier access to medication. The Nathan Littauer “Quick N Sick” program offers urgent and primary care services from trusted providers on weekends, providing extra flexibility.
“Working in a rural community is extremely rewarding because of the difference you make in people’s lives,” Wilcox said. “Littauer feels like a true family practice. Here, I see every day the work that we do and watch people become healthier.”
Saying “Thank You” to Rural Healthcare Providers
Fidelis Care’s celebration of National Rural Health Day is an opportunity to recognize the work of rural healthcare providers and our shared goal of improving the health and lives of rural residents. We express our sincere gratitude to these dedicated professionals who work to ensure the health and well-being of rural communities. Their commitment to providing quality care is truly commendable.