The Fidelis Care Blog

Learning to swim is one of the most important skills a child can learn. Drowning is among the leading causes of death for children ages 1-4, with most of these incidents occurring in the family’s own pool. Luckily, children can start swim lessons as early as 6-12 months old. We know finding budget-friendly options can be challenging, so we’ve compiled a list of some of the free and discounted swim lesson options around New York State. Check in with your local YMCA or parks department for additional help. Free/Discounted Swim Lesson Resources: City Swim Project, based in Buffalo, offers free swim lessons

Eating fresh fruits and vegetables is an important part of staying healthy. They provide our bodies helpful nutrients like vitamins, minerals and fiber. You may have seen news reports about an illness called cyclosporiasis. People can get cyclosporiasis after eating food or drinking water that has a tiny germ in it. Sometimes, this can happen with fresh produce. Fresh fruits and vegetables are still healthy choices. You can lower your risk of getting sick by washing, peeling and cooking them. What Are the Symptoms? The most common symptom is watery diarrhea. Other symptoms may include: Loss of appetite Stomach cramps Nausea Vomiting Tiredness Weight

July is National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month. This observance shines a light on the unique challenges faced by Black, Hispanic, and other communities of color, while calling for action to improve access, trust, and quality of care. At La Casa de Salud, a Fidelis Care behavioral health grant recipient, we focus on the whole person. Mental health shapes how we think, feel, make decisions, and care for ourselves. When mental health is not supported, everything else becomes harder. The Reality: Need Is High, Access Is Not Mental health challenges are common, but care does not reach everyone equally. Black and Hispanic communities

Having open conversations about health can make a big difference and help break the stigma around asking for help or going to the doctor. Men’s Health Month is a perfect time to remind men and boys that taking care of both physical and mental health is important. Why Preventive Care Matters Many health problems can be treated more easily when they are found early. That’s why regular checkups and screenings are important. “A common myth I hear is, ‘If I feel fine, I don’t need to see a doctor,’” Senior Medical Director Dr. Jermel Hawkins said. “This is untrue. Many diseases are silent

Skin cancer often starts quietly. It may look like a small mole, a spot that does not heal, or a change in skin color. Most of the time, it does not hurt. That makes it easy to ignore. But skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the world, and cases continue to rise. This is why awareness and early action matter. May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month. It is a time to remind people how common skin cancer is and how important it is to protect your skin and check it often. At Fidelis Care, this message aligns

Annual cultural competency training for participating providers is required by the New York State Department of Health.

Fidelis Care will host three Provider Office Hours in August 2026. 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 essential to reducing health disparities and improving the quality and length of life for all New Yorkers.

Fidelis Care has received notice from the Office of the Medicaid Inspector General (OMIG) of new compliance program requirements for Medicaid participating providers.

Learning to swim is one of the most important skills a child can learn. Drowning is among the leading causes of death for children ages 1-4, with most of these incidents occurring in the family’s own pool. Luckily, children can start swim lessons as early as 6-12 months old. We know finding budget-friendly options can be challenging, so we’ve compiled a list of some of the free and discounted swim lesson options around New York State. Check in with your local YMCA or parks department for additional help. Free/Discounted Swim Lesson Resources: City Swim Project, based in Buffalo, offers free swim lessons