The Fidelis Care Blog

Asthma and allergies can worsen with the warmer weather. Weeds, trees, grass, and other plants begin to bloom. They spread pollen and other allergens. Allergies are one of the most common chronic diseases. They are caused by the immune system’s reaction to allergens. Allergy symptoms happen when a person with an allergy comes into contact with the allergen. This can happen by touching, eating, or breathing in an allergen.

Today is National Fentanyl Awareness Day. This is a day to understand and protect our communities from the deadly threat of illegal fentanyl and counterfeit prescription pills. Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is stronger than morphine and heroin. It is used to medically manage severe pain, often after surgery or for some cancer patients. Illegal fentanyl causes overdose deaths. It is often mixed with other drugs, making them more potent and dangerous. It’s important to know how to prevent an overdose, recognize signs of an overdose, and what life-saving measures are available.

Fidelis Care and nonprofit maternal health organization Mom Starts Here recently partnered to open a Baby Item Network supplies closet at the Fidelis Care Utica Community Office. It’s free to all Medicaid recipients.

Fidelis Care opened its 2025 Veggies to Go produce giveaway season by distributing more than 150 bags of fresh fruits and vegetables at events hosted by Genesee ACE Employment in Batavia on March 15 and the Watertown YMCA on March 26. Veggies to Go addresses nutrition and food insecurity in urban and rural communities across New York State.

Measles cases are on the rise in the United States and Canada. Getting vaccinated for measles and other infectious diseases is the best protection. The measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine protects against measles, mumps, and rubella. Children should get two doses of the MMR vaccine, starting with the first dose at 12 to 15 months of age and the second dose at 4 through 6 years of age. If traveling, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends infants 6–11 months old receive an early dose of the MMR vaccine. The child will still need to get the two regular doses to be fully protected.

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

Fidelis Care celebrated the grand reopening of its newly renovated Flushing Community Office with a ribbon cutting ceremony featuring local leaders and community partners. The office is fully staffed with culturally sensitive, multilingual representatives who can help answer questions about enrolling, renewing, or understanding plan benefits.

Fidelis Care will host two Provider Office Hours in December 2025. During the webinars, Fidelis Care staff will be available to share information, provide an overview of provider resources, and answer your questions.

Access to quality care is important to eliminate health disparities and increase the quality and years of healthy life for all New Yorkers. The NYSDOH requires that certain Access and Availability Standards be met by PCPs, OB/GYNs, specialists, and behavioral health providers where applicable.

Fidelis Care has been made aware of an issue affecting providers who are unable to obtain authorizations through the Evolent/RadMD portal due to their NPI or TIN not appearing in the system.