Care beyond the clinic: How HealthNet Albemarle supports the whole person
Tonya Tatem, HealthNet Albemarle Community Health Lead, conducts a diabetic retinal screening exam.
A ride to the doctor. Help with applying for assistance. Food when the fridge is empty. HealthNet Albemarle is more than a healthcare clinic; it’s a lifeline for people facing medical, financial and personal uncertainty.
Connecting patients to primary healthcare
Led by Executive Director Janet Jarrett, the team at HealthNet Albemarle is redefining care for the uninsured and underinsured in northeast North Carolina. HealthNet Albemarle is recognized by the NCQA as a Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH), offering a full range of services including chronic disease management, diagnostics, preventive care and an onsite pharmacy.
Thanks to a recent grant from Sentara Cares, they’re reaching more people with more resources and providing support far beyond the walls of the exam room.
Since October 2024, HealthNet Albemarle has connected 608 individuals to primary healthcare homes, also known as primary healthcare providers as part of the Sentara grant. Finding and maintaining a primary medical provider involves coordinated patient care that encompasses both preventive care and the long-term management of chronic conditions. It’s a significant shift from how many community members access healthcare.
For some who visit Healthnet Albemarle, that means receiving care at the clinic. For others, it’s about connecting them to the right provider in the community.
“For many folks, the emergency room is their medical home,” Jarrett explains. “That’s not ideal. There’s no continuity, no follow-up. We’re working to change that.”
When patients have a primary medical home, they experience important health benefits, including:
- Preventing illness through regular check-ups, screenings, immunizations, and health education
- Better management of chronic conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and asthma
- Diagnosing and treating common illnesses or injuries in a timely way
- Coordinated care with referrals to specialists when needed, and ensuring continuity across healthcare services
Another key element of the benefits of having a primary care provider is building trust between patients and their providers for a relationship that supports better health decisions and outcomes.
HealthNet Albemarle Pharmacy Tech Cheryl Russell
Support that goes beyond medicine
Janet and her team are also redefining a complete view of healthcare.
“There are so many things that contribute to health, and it goes well beyond just what’s going on with our bodies and taking the right medications,” explains Jarrett.
Proper care, says Janet, means looking at the whole picture—including the social drivers (determinants) of health like food insecurity, transportation issues, and language barriers. Other patients may need temporary help during life transitions, like losing a job or family insurance. HealthNet Albemarle steps in with resources and guidance to help get them back on stable ground.
“A lot of people don’t talk about what’s really stopping them from getting the healthcare they need,” shares Jarrett. “Like not having gas money or access to childcare. We dig deeper to find out what they truly need.”
To support patients holistically, the clinic also offers other types of assistance, such as:
- Help with applying for Medicaid and insurance
- Free first visits for patients discharged from the Emergency Department (ED)
- Free over-the-counter seasonal medication needs (like sunscreen or cold medicine)
- A small on-site food pantry
Personalized care that changes lives
The success stories drive the team. Jarrett recalls one patient returning to the ER every few weeks despite having health insurance. The team learned he couldn’t afford his medication due to high deductibles and that he would end up in the ED because he wasn’t taking the prescribed medication. This prompted the clinic to begin stocking what he needed. With the medication now accessible to the patient, he has been able to go back to work full time and has not had to return to the ED for care since.
Guiding patients through a complex system
HealthNet also helps people navigate the complicated healthcare system. They educate patients on the importance of follow-up care, redirect ED overuse and connect patients with the right type of care for long-term health management.
This proactive approach also helps patients understand when they might now qualify for Medicaid or a more affordable plan through the Health Insurance Marketplace—something that can change year to year.
“If you’re told no once, you may think that’s always going to be the answer,” says Jarrett. “We help them take another look at available health insurance and care options.”
A trusted partner in healthcare
Jarrett says the relationship with Sentara has been instrumental in their growth. “They’ve been a huge supporter of ours,” she says. “They can depend on us, and we can depend on them.”
“We’ve always looked at what the community needs—what’s missing that we can help with—and we will continue to do that,” Jarrett says. “We’re offering so much more now than just five years ago.”
A safety net that catches you
Whether connecting patients with care, supplying essential medications, or offering kindness and clarity in a confusing system, HealthNet Albemarle is living up to its name.
“We want people to know we’re part of the health safety net,” Jarrett says. “We’re going to catch you.”
