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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.

Fidelis-JED-Social


More Health Equity News


Fidelis Care and Summerwood Pediatrics Partner to Educate About Health Insurance Renewal Changes
9/6/2023 • Posted by Fidelis Care in In The Community, Renewal

Fidelisaurus with Dr. Dracker
Fidelis Care and health care provider Summerwood Pediatrics recently partnered to inform and educate the public about a major change in the health insurance renewal process.  

At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal government provided New York State with additional federal funding to keep individuals covered under Medicaid, Child Health Plus, Essential Plan, and Managed Long Term Care. Those individuals now need to act to keep their health insurance.

About nine million New Yorkers with Medicaid, Child Health Plus, Essential Plan, and Managed Long Term Care coverage, including nearly 4,500 Summerwood Pediatrics patients and two million Fidelis Care members, may be impacted by the change.

To raise awareness and encourage members and patients to act, Fidelis Care and Summerwood Pediatrics held a special renewal information event at Summerwood’s Liverpool location. Megan Woodward, Fidelis Care Vice President of Retention, and Dr. Robert Dracker, Summerwood Pediatrics Medical Director, spoke about the importance of people maintaining their health coverage.

Woodward said, “The renewal rules have changed for Medicaid Managed Care, Child Health Plus, and the Essential Plan. If you don’t act when your time comes to renew, you risk losing your health insurance. The most important action you can take right now is to make sure that New York State has your updated contact information. When your renewal notice arrives in the mail, do not hesitate to respond. If you have questions or need help with the process, we have people ready to assist. Call us, visit us online, or check out a Fidelis Care community-based office or StreetSide RV visit in your area.”

Fidelis Care representatives were also at the Summerwood Pediatrics event to assist individuals with their health coverage questions. Those interested in learning more about health insurance renewals can visit the Fidelis Care website at fideliscare.org/renew or call 1-866-435-9521 (TTY: 711) Monday-Friday 8:30 AM to 6 PM.