The Fidelis Care Blog

Today is National Fentanyl Awareness Day. This is a day to understand and protect our communities from the deadly threat of illegal fentanyl and counterfeit prescription pills. Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is stronger than morphine and heroin. It is used to medically manage severe pain, often after surgery or for some cancer patients. Illegal fentanyl causes overdose deaths. It is often mixed with other drugs, making them more potent and dangerous. It’s important to know how to prevent an overdose, recognize signs of an overdose, and what life-saving measures are available.

Measles cases are on the rise in the United States and Canada. Getting vaccinated for measles and other infectious diseases is the best protection. The measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine protects against measles, mumps, and rubella. Children should get two doses of the MMR vaccine, starting with the first dose at 12 to 15 months of age and the second dose at 4 through 6 years of age. If traveling, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends infants 6–11 months old receive an early dose of the MMR vaccine. The child will still need to get the two regular doses to be fully protected.

Every April, Black Maternal Health Week (BMHW) serves as a powerful call to action, highlighting the urgent need to address disparities in maternal health outcomes for Black women. Black Maternal Health Week is more than a week of awareness - it is a movement advocating for justice, equity, and dignity in maternal care.

In observance of National Minority Health Month this April, Fidelis Care is raising awareness about the health disparities facing minorities. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), minority groups are more likely to have chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and obesity.

The Essential Plan is a low-cost health insurance plan through NY State of Health, the Official Health Plan Marketplace. It has no monthly premium, no deductibles, and no or low out-of-pocket costs. The Essential Plan provides medical, dental, and vision coverage. Eligible individuals can include: