Your New York Medicaid Member Checklist: 5 Things to Do This Year

Your Medicaid coverage can help you get the care and support you need throughout the year. Taking a few simple steps can help you stay on top of your coverage, connect with your health care providers, and make the most of your Fidelis Care Medicaid Managed Care benefits.

Use this five-step checklist to help keep your health and your Medicaid coverage on track.

1. Complete Your Medicaid Renewal

Keeping your Medicaid eligibility information current can help you avoid an unnecessary gap in health coverage. Pay attention to notices from NY State of Health, your Local Department of Social Services, and Fidelis Care that tell you when you need to take action.

When you receive a renewal notice, review the information carefully and follow the instructions by the deadline listed in your notice.

Get help renewing your coverage.

2. Schedule a Checkup with Your Primary Care Provider

You don't have to wait until you're sick to see your primary care provider. Regular checkups give you and your provider an opportunity to talk about your health, review medications, identify potential concerns, and determine whether you are due for screenings or immunizations.

Consider asking your provider:

• Am I due for any health screenings?
• Do I need any immunizations?
• Are my medications still right for me?
• Are there steps I can take to improve or maintain my health?
• When should I schedule my next visit?

3. Make Sure You Have the Right Primary Care Provider (PCP)

Your primary care provider, or PCP, can be an important partner in managing your health. Your PCP can provide routine care, help manage ongoing conditions, recommend preventive services, and help coordinate other care when needed.

Make sure you know who your PCP is and that the provider still meets your needs. If you need to find a participating provider, use the Fidelis Care provider search.

Find a Doctor.

4. Keep Your Contact Information Up to Date

New York State and Fidelis Care may need to contact you about your Medicaid eligibility, renewal, benefits, or health plan. Keeping your information current can help make sure important notices reach you.

Review your information if you:

• Move to a new address
• Change your phone number
• Change your email address
• Have a change in your household
• Experience another change that may affect your Medicaid eligibility

If you enrolled through NY State of Health, make sure your information is current in your NY State of Health account. If your Medicaid eligibility is handled by your county Local Department of Social Services, contact that office when your information changes.

5. Keep Up with Preventive Care and Recommended Screenings

Preventive care can help you stay healthy and identify some health problems before they become more serious. The preventive services you need depend on factors such as your age, health history, family history, and individual risk factors.

Talk with your provider about whether you are due for services such as:

• Blood pressure checks
• Blood sugar or diabetes screening
• Cholesterol testing
• Recommended immunizations
• Breast cancer screening
• Cervical cancer screening
• Colorectal cancer screening
• Dental care
• Vision care
• Behavioral health screening
• Other screenings recommended by your provider

Visit our Immunizations page for additional information about staying up to date on recommended vaccines.

Bonus: Know Where to Turn When You Need Help

Your health needs can go beyond visits to the doctor's office. Knowing where to find help before you need it can make it easier to use your Medicaid benefits throughout the year.

Find a Health Care Provider

Need a primary care provider or another participating health care professional? Find a Doctor.

Get Help with Social Needs

Some Fidelis Care members enrolled in Medicaid Managed Care may be eligible for free support services through a Social Care Network.

Learn about Social Care Networks.

Pregnant or a New Parent?

Fidelis Care offers health resources for members during pregnancy and after their baby is born.

• BabyCare
• Postpartum Care
• Infant and Early Childhood Development

Frequently Asked Questions for New York Medicaid Members

References

The following government and public health resources were referenced in developing this content:

• NY State of Health – Official Health Plan Marketplace
  https://nystateofhealth.ny.gov/
• New York State Department of Health – New York State Medicaid
  https://www.health.ny.gov/health_care/medicaid/
• New York State Department of Health – Local Departments of Social Services
  https://www.health.ny.gov/health_care/medicaid/ldss/
• U.S. Department of Health and Human Services – Find and Access Preventive Services
  https://odphp.health.gov/myhealthfinder/doctor-visits/doctor-visits/find-and-access-preventive-services
• U.S. Department of Health and Human Services – MyHealthfinder
  https://odphp.health.gov/myhealthfinder
• New York State Department of Health – Childhood and Adolescent Immunizations
  https://www.health.ny.gov/prevention/immunization/childhood_and_adolescent.htm