The Fidelis Care Blog

Winter is in full swing, and the temperatures have been dropping. Here are a few tips for safety at home, on the road, and when you go outside.

Obesity is associated with a range of diseases, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, sleep apnea, and some cancers. Weight loss can improve blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels. Even a small loss can make a difference. For example, a 5% weight reduction for a person who weighs 200 pounds is 10 pounds. This change could lower the risk for some chronic diseases. Approximately 2 out of every 3 adult New Yorkers are overweight or have obesity. Over 49% of adults in the United States are trying to lose weight.

January is Cervical Health Awareness Month. Prevention and screening are the most important ways to fight cervical cancer. If you have not gotten screened or vaccinated, making an appointment with your healthcare provider is strongly recommended. Proper screening and vaccination can help prevent advanced cervical cancer from developing.

The new year is a good time to set health goals. As we approach 2025, here are some ways to stay healthy and focus on your well-being: Annual checkup starts you off right Start your year off right by scheduling an annual exam with your primary care provider (PCP). Regular checkups are the basis of good health. They give you the chance to talk with your PCP about any medical concerns. Your PCP can look for problems before they become serious and tell you about any tests or screenings you may need. For children, regular well visits with their pediatrician help them to grow up strong and healthy, and to get all the immunizations they need.

The Fidelis Care ‘Veggies to Go’ program distributed 1,895 bags of healthy food to individuals and families in need during its 2024 season. That adds up to a total nearly 80,000 pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables given away since the program began in 2022. Veggies to Go addresses nutrition and food insecurity in urban and rural communities across New York State. “Nutrition is healthcare,” said Fidelis Care Sales and Marketing Director Shannon Lombardo. “We know that one bag of fresh fruits and vegetables is not going to solve a family’s food insecurity. But the Fidelis Care Veggies to Go program is a great way to connect people with resources and agencies that can help address their longer term needs.”

Did you know that heat is the leading weather-related killer in the United States? Most heat-related deaths are preventable. This summer, Fidelis Care is sharing ways to stay safe and healthy in the heat and sun.

Fidelis Care would like to remind providers that Urgent and Concurrent Authorization Requests cannot be submitted through the Provider Portal, as this will cause delays in processing.

Fidelis Care received notice from New York State Office of Addiction Services and Support (OASAS), that providers are required to bill OTP bundle services under the APG methodology effective November 3, 2025.

You asked and we listened! Fidelis Care is pleased to announce that Health Savings Unit (HSU) Recovery letters are now available on Provider Access Online, Fidelis Care’s Provider Portal, in the File Download section.

Men’s Health Month in June is an excellent time to remind the men in our lives to focus on their wellness. It’s important for men to have a primary care provider and to get a checkup every year, even if they feel well. Many men don’t see a doctor unless they really need to. Men often say they feel fine, are too busy, or will get around to it “sometime.”