The Fidelis Care Blog 

Every year, during the first week of October, we celebrate National Primary Care Week. It’s a time to say “thank you” to the doctors, physician assistants, nurses, and healthcare teams that help keep us healthy every day

Mental Illness Awareness Week is a time to learn how mental health affects every part of our lives, including our physical health. People living with serious mental illness often face big challenges when it comes to staying healthy. Many don’t get regular checkups or see a doctor when they need to. This can lead to health problems that go unnoticed and untreated.

Substance use disorder (SUD) affects many people. It can happen in any family, workplace, or neighborhood. At Fidelis Care, we believe alcohol or drug addiction is not a personal failure. We also know that people need help, not judgment. Why Prevention Matters Addiction often starts quietly. It can begin with stress, trauma, or mental health problems that aren’t treated. That’s why we focus on stopping addiction before it starts. We look for warning signs early. We help people get care that respects their culture and background. We also build support systems with family, friends, and the community

October is Health Literacy Month. It’s a great time to learn how to understand and use health information. Being health literate means you can find, understand, and use information to make good decisions about your health. It can help you: • Read medication labels • Pick a health plan • Ask your doctor questions

Hispanic Heritage Month is a time of reflection, celebration, and unity. For me, it is deeply personal, a reminder of the strength, resilience, and cultural pride that defines our community. It is also a call to action to honor our heritage not only with words, but through efforts that uplift the health and well-being of Hispanic families across New York and beyond.

Fidelis Care is continuing efforts to ensure compliance with Electronic Visit Verification (EVV) requirements under the 21st Century Cures Act. As part of this work, Fidelis Care has partnered with HHAeXchange (HHAX), a home care management solutions vendor.

At Fidelis Care, provider feedback is essential to how we improve our programs, processes, and overall experience working with our network. To support more frequent and meaningful collaboration, we’re excited to introduce the Provider Advisory Community—a new online forum designed specifically for providers.

To help vulnerable individuals who struggle with extreme heat, NY State of Health is again offering free air conditioners through its Essential Plan Cooling Program.

Fidelis Care will host three Provider Office Hours in May 2026. During the webinar, Fidelis Care staff will be available to share information, provide an overview of provider resources, and answer your questions.

National Infant Immunization Week is April 20-27. If you’re the parent of a child under 2, it’s a great time to focus on keeping your baby healthy. Vaccines play an important role in children’s health, especially during their first two years, when they are most likely to get a serious illness. If you’ve had questions or felt unsure about vaccines, you’re not alone. There’s a lot of information out there, and it’s not all correct. Here are some key facts every parent or guardian should know. Fact: Infant vaccines are carefully tested and closely monitored. Vaccines recommended for babies in the United States