Finding Care in New York
OB/GYNs That Take Fidelis Care: Finding Prenatal and Gynecology Care in New York
To find an OB/GYN that takes Fidelis Care, search the Fidelis Care provider directory filtered to your plan type, look for Obstetrics & Gynecology or midwives near you, and then call the office to confirm the plan, the location and whether they're taking new patients. Fidelis sells several kinds of coverage, and offices don't always take all of them.
The mistake almost everyone makes
People call an office, ask "Do you take Fidelis?", hear "yes," and book. Then a bill shows up, because the office takes Fidelis Medicaid but not Ambetter, or takes Fidelis at one location and not the other. Always say the full plan name on your card and the address you're booking at.
Which Fidelis plan do you have?
Fidelis Care is a New York health plan best known for Medicaid, the Essential Plan and Child Health Plus. Its marks are owned by Centene Corporation. Plan types include:
- Medicaid managed care
- Essential Plan
- Child Health Plus
- Ambetter from Fidelis Care (marketplace Qualified Health Plans through NY State of Health)
- HealthierLife (HARP) for members with certain behavioral health needs
- Wellcare By Fidelis Care (Medicare)
Unlike plans that operate only downstate, Fidelis reported Medicaid and Essential Plan results in every region of New York in the State Department of Health's 2024 Managed Care Consumer Guide, from New York City and Long Island to the Hudson Valley and upstate. That's handy if you move between, say, Queens and Orange County during pregnancy, but your network still depends on your plan and county.
Finding a Fidelis OB/GYN, step by step
- Check your card for your plan type (Medicaid, Essential Plan, Child Health Plus or Ambetter).
- Search the Fidelis directory for "Obstetrics & Gynecology," "Certified Nurse Midwife" or "Maternal-Fetal Medicine."
- Write down the exact office address listed as in-network.
- Look the provider up in our directory for specialty and contact details, or browse providers who take Fidelis. You can also start by area: Queens, Westchester County or Orange County.
- Call the office and use this script: "Do you take Fidelis Care [plan type] at [address]? Is the provider accepting new patients?"
- If you're pregnant, ask about the hospital. Confirm the delivering hospital is also in your Fidelis network.
What Fidelis covers in pregnancy
Fidelis Medicaid, Essential Plan and Ambetter plans all cover pregnancy as an essential benefit, including:
- Prenatal visits with an OB/GYN or midwife
- Recommended lab work and ultrasounds
- Labor and delivery in an in-network hospital
- Postpartum visits
- Newborn care
What you pay differs. Medicaid and the Essential Plan have no premiums. Ambetter plans have premiums, deductibles and copays based on the metal level.
How fast you should get your first appointment
Fidelis Medicaid members are covered by New York's 2026 perinatal care standards. Your first prenatal visit should be offered within:
| When you ask | Visit offered within |
|---|---|
| First trimester | 3 weeks |
| Second trimester | 2 weeks |
| Third trimester | 1 week |
If an office tells you the next opening is two months out, don't just accept it. Call Fidelis member services and ask them to help you get seen in that window.
If your pregnancy is high-risk
If you're told you need a maternal-fetal medicine (MFM) specialist, ask your OB/GYN which in-network MFM practices they work with. MFM visits often happen at hospital-based ultrasound units, so check that the facility is in network too. Browse maternal-fetal medicine specialists to see who practices near you.
If Fidelis doesn't have an in-network specialist with the right training and experience, New York law requires the plan to refer you to an appropriate provider. Ask for this in writing.
Essential Plan members: the 2026 change
On July 1, 2026, the Essential Plan income limit went back to 200% of the federal poverty level. Pregnant people with income up to 223% of the poverty level qualify for Medicaid instead, and Medicaid covers 12 months after the pregnancy ends. If you're pregnant and got a coverage notice you don't understand, call NY State of Health at 1-855-355-5777. Our guide to getting health insurance while pregnant in New York walks through the options.
Your first-visit checklist
- Fidelis card and photo ID
- A list of medicines and any past pregnancy records
- Ask: "Which lab do you send bloodwork to, and is it in my network?" Out-of-network labs are a common source of surprise bills.
- Ask whether follow-ups can be done by telehealth when it makes sense
- If you need an interpreter, ask when you book. Many offices and all hospitals in New York must offer free language help.
When something goes wrong
- The directory was wrong: Call Fidelis, report it and ask for help booking. Keep a screenshot of the listing.
- Your provider leaves the network: Ask Fidelis about transitional care. Pregnant patients have continuity-of-care protections in New York.
- A surprise bill: Ask for an itemized bill and call Fidelis before you pay anything.
See our full checklist on how to check if an OB/GYN is in-network.
Moving within New York while pregnant
Because Fidelis operates statewide, members sometimes move from the city to Long Island or the Hudson Valley mid-pregnancy. If you do:
- Update your address with NY State of Health or your local Medicaid office right away.
- Ask Fidelis whether your current OB/GYN stays in network after the move.
- If you need a new provider, ask Fidelis for help scheduling quickly, and bring your prenatal records.
- Ask about transitional care if you'd like to keep your current provider for a while.
Read switching OB/GYNs during pregnancy for a step-by-step list.
When to call your provider
Call your OB/GYN or midwife soon for spotting, cramping, nausea that keeps you from keeping fluids down, burning when you pee, or a fever.
Go to labor and delivery or an emergency room right away for heavy bleeding, severe belly pain, a severe headache, vision changes, fluid leaking, chest pain or trouble breathing, or fewer baby movements. Emergency care doesn't need approval from Fidelis, so don't stop to call the plan first.
Frequently asked questions
How do I find a gynecologist that takes Fidelis Care?
Search the Fidelis Care provider directory for Obstetrics & Gynecology near your ZIP code, making sure the results are filtered to your plan type. Then call the office to confirm they take your Fidelis plan at that location and are accepting new patients.
What plans does Fidelis Care offer?
Fidelis Care offers Medicaid managed care, the Essential Plan, Child Health Plus, marketplace plans under the Ambetter from Fidelis Care name, HARP plans, and Medicare plans under Wellcare By Fidelis Care. Networks can differ by plan.
Does Fidelis Care cover prenatal care and delivery?
Yes. Prenatal care, delivery and postpartum care are covered benefits in Fidelis Medicaid, Essential Plan and marketplace plans. Your share of the cost depends on the plan type.
Is Fidelis Care available outside New York City?
Yes. In the NY State Department of Health's 2024 Managed Care Consumer Guide, Fidelis Care reported Medicaid and Essential Plan results in every region of the state, including New York City, Long Island and the Hudson Valley.
Can I see a midwife with Fidelis Care?
Usually, if the midwife is in your Fidelis network. Certified nurse midwives provide prenatal care, birth and gynecology. Confirm with Fidelis and the practice before your first visit.
Sources
- Fidelis Care — Plans overview (Medicaid Managed Care, Essential Plan, Child Health Plus, Ambetter, HARP, Wellcare)
- NY State Department of Health — Managed Care Regional Consumer Guide (health.data.ny.gov)
- NY State Department of Health — Medicaid Perinatal Care Standards (2026)
- NY State of Health — Essential Plan changes effective July 1, 2026
This article is for general education and is not medical advice. It does not replace an evaluation by a licensed clinician who knows your history. If you think you have a medical emergency, call 911.