The Fidelis Care Blog

Every year, during the first week of October, we celebrate National Primary Care Week. It’s a time to say “thank you” to the doctors, physician assistants, nurses, and healthcare teams that help keep us healthy every day

Mental Illness Awareness Week is a time to learn how mental health affects every part of our lives, including our physical health. People living with serious mental illness often face big challenges when it comes to staying healthy. Many don’t get regular checkups or see a doctor when they need to. This can lead to health problems that go unnoticed and untreated.

Substance use disorder (SUD) affects many people. It can happen in any family, workplace, or neighborhood. At Fidelis Care, we believe alcohol or drug addiction is not a personal failure. We also know that people need help, not judgment. Why Prevention Matters Addiction often starts quietly. It can begin with stress, trauma, or mental health problems that aren’t treated. That’s why we focus on stopping addiction before it starts. We look for warning signs early. We help people get care that respects their culture and background. We also build support systems with family, friends, and the community

October is Health Literacy Month. It’s a great time to learn how to understand and use health information. Being health literate means you can find, understand, and use information to make good decisions about your health. It can help you: • Read medication labels • Pick a health plan • Ask your doctor questions

Hispanic Heritage Month is a time of reflection, celebration, and unity. For me, it is deeply personal, a reminder of the strength, resilience, and cultural pride that defines our community. It is also a call to action to honor our heritage not only with words, but through efforts that uplift the health and well-being of Hispanic families across New York and beyond.

Fidelis Care will host three Provider Office Hours in March 2026. During the webinars, Fidelis Care staff will be available to share information, provide an overview of provider resources, and answer your questions.

  When people think about eating disorders, they often imagine only one kind of person—usually a very thin teenage girl. But that picture is not true. Eating disorders can affect anyone. They affect kids, adults, older people, men, women, and people of all shapes, sizes, and backgrounds. What is an eating disorder? An eating disorder is an illness that affects how someone eats, thinks about food, and feels about their body. Eating disorders are not a choice; they are a serious health problem that requires care and support. Eating disorders do not care about: Age Gender Body size Race or culture Who someone loves

Lunar New Year arrives with the vibrant energy of the Year of the Horse. Beginning on February 17, 2026, it will be celebrated across Asian communities around the world. This festival marks a meaningful moment of renewal as people travel great distances to reunite with their families and honor long-standing traditions. They share hopes that the year ahead will be fulfilling and prosperous.

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

The Fort Drum Regional Health Planning Organization (FDRHPO) has successfully completed its one-year pediatric oral health pilot program, funded by a Fidelis Care rural health innovation grant focused on preventive care. The initiative, launched to address persistent barriers to pediatric dental care in the North Country, resulted in substantial increases in preventive oral health services and education.