The Fidelis Care Blog

Social work is a calling for me, rather than a job. During this Social Work Month, I take great pride in discussing a career path that has helped so many others. I have been a medical social worker for over 35 years, the last eight here at Fidelis Care. I currently support the medically fragile children’s team. I also get tremendous satisfaction from researching and presenting my findings on various social work topics to my peers.

Endometriosis is a disease in which cells normally seen lining the uterus (womb) grow outside the uterus. It can cause inflammation, scar tissue, and pain, especially during menstrual periods. Endometriosis may also cause reproductive health issues like infertility.

Colorectal cancer is a disease in which cells in the colon or rectum grow out of control. It is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths in the United States. The American Cancer Society predicts there will be approximately 150,000 new cases of colorectal cancer in the United States in 2025, with as many as 53,000 deaths.

"Food Connects Us" is the theme for National Nutrition Month 2025, highlighting the important role that food plays in uniting individuals, families, and communities. It links us to our cultures, families and friends. It creates shared experiences and deepens our connections. Sharing a meal is more than just eating, it is an opportunity to learn about its preparation, who made it, and where the ingredients come from. Our relationship with food is shaped by health, traditions, memories, seasons, and accessibility. While these factors influence our choices, the food we eat, in turn, has an impact on our overall health and well-being.

As a family physician and registered dietitian, during Black History Month, I reflect on the various fearless trailblazers in healthcare and other sectors who broke barriers and overcame extraordinary obstacles to make my life possible. Access to healthcare and poor health literacy are still issues plaguing the Black community. Generally, patients desire a patient-doctor relationship where they feel comfortable sharing their personal and medical history. From my experiences, my Black patients prefer Black physicians; however, there is a severe shortage of Black physicians, which is another barrier to seeking care for many Black Americans.

As part of New York’s Medicaid Redesign Team (MRT) initiative, the NY 1115 Waiver introduced the Social Care Networks (SCN) Program, a transformative model focused on integrating social care into healthcare delivery.

LONG ISLAND CITY, NY (July 16, 2025) Fidelis Care, a statewide health plan with more than 2.4 million members in New York State and a Centene Corporation company, has opened the application process for its 2025 grants addressing food insecurity. The grants, open to healthcare providers and community-based organizations in New York, aim to fund programs that support food security and Food Is Medicine (FIM) practices. The FIM approach integrates access to nutritious food into healthcare delivery to prevent, manage, or treat diet-related diseases. These programs are increasingly supported by healthcare professionals to improve health outcomes, reduce healthcare costs, and address disparities in nutrition and chronic disease management.

Each July, National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month calls on us to recognize the disproportionate impact of mental illness on racial and ethnic minority communities—and to recommit to breaking down the systemic barriers that stand in the way of healing.

Fidelis Care, a statewide health plan with more than 2.4 million members in New York State and a Centene Corporation company, has opened the application process for its 2025 maternal health grant program. The grants, open to healthcare providers and community-based organizations in New York, aim to fund programs that support innovative strategies in postpartum care and maternal mental health.

Fidelis Care would like to remind providers of the appropriate coding modifiers to use when billing for a surgical or diagnostic procedure that was discontinued or stopped prior to completion for both facilities and physicians.