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Health Equity

At Fidelis Care, we believe everyone should have the opportunity to live a healthy life. It’s our mission to ensure New Yorkers have access to high-quality healthcare, so they can get the care they need when they need it.

But many other factors contribute to an individual’s health and wellness beyond access to healthcare. Socioeconomic conditions can influence health risks and outcomes. Poverty, food insecurity, housing instability, education, employment, access to transportation and other circumstances contribute to health disparities among underserved and vulnerable populations.

Fidelis Care is committed to removing those barriers to health to improve access, quality, and affordability. It is an ongoing process that requires working together with our members, providers, and community-based organizations to support fair and just opportunities to equal access to healthcare.

Learn more about our different approaches to improve health equity:


Key partnerships

Wellness commitment to Buffalo Urban League

To nurture social entrepreneurship, facilitate wellness, and strengthen organizations focused on Black, Indigenous and People of Color in Buffalo’s East Side, Fidelis Care and the Centene Foundation donated $1.1 million to the Buffalo Urban League (BUL) to help establish its new headquarters and develop a Wellness and Entrepreneurial Center.

In addition, Fidelis Care partners with BUL through community programs and at events held in the city focused on health, family support and stabilization services, foster care, adoption, education, job training, employment, scholarships, and more.

Buffalo-Urban-League

Mental health alliance with The Jed Foundation

As part of our behavioral health efforts, Fidelis Care and the Centene Foundation awarded $1.1 million to The Jed Foundation (JED) to protect the mental health of New York State’s youth.

Through the funding, JED will expand its current services, providing at least five youth-serving community-based organizations (CBOs) with consultation or strategic planning services, including expert guidance, educational workshops, and training programs, equipping young people with life skills and connecting them to mental healthcare when they are in distress.

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More Health Equity News


Fidelis Care Authorization Grids Effective January 1, 2026
11/26/2025 • Posted by Provider Relations in Provider News

The following sections of the Fidelis Care authorization grids have been updated effective January 1, 2026.

           

The following has been added to the Medicaid Authorization Grid and requires prior authorization:

IV.       Behavioral Health - Outpatient Services

               R. Family Psychotherapy

Covered; Authorization Required for CPT Codes 90847

Starting January 1, 2026, Fidelis Care will require notification and concurrent review for Group Psychoeducation (Mental Health) services for any requests beyond the initial 30 visits per calendar year.  Note: Substance Use Disorder (SUD) group/family therapy do not require authorization.

Requests for members can be made by email qhcmbh@fideliscare.org, fax (833-561-0098) or by calling 1-888-FIDELIS (1-888-343-3547) and following the prompts for Behavioral Health, or dialing extension 16072.

S. Group Psychotherapy

Covered; Authorization Required for CPT Codes 90853

Starting January 1, 2026, Fidelis Care will require notification and concurrent review for Group Psychoeducation (Mental Health) services for any requests beyond the initial 30 visits per calendar year.  Note: Substance Use Disorder (SUD) group/family therapy do not require authorization.

Note: Fidelis Care follows OMH and OASAS best practices and clinical criteria guidelines, such as LOCUS/CALOCUS for Mental Health Services and LOCADTR for Substance Use Disorder Services.  

 

The following has been updated in the Medicare Authorization Grid and requires prior authorization:

II.  Outpatient surgery: The following services require prior authorization  

      D.  Services for the following codes require preauthorization if performed in freestanding ambulatory surgery centers (bill type 0831): 20610 

 

Visit:  Authorization Grids