Doctor’s Note: January reminders from Evergreen

We’ll be closed for Martin Luther King Jr. Day 

All Evergreen Health locations and Community Access Services will be closed on Monday, January 19. We will resume regular hours on Tuesday, January 20.  

If you have a medical emergency during this time, please call 911. If you have a mental or behavioral health emergency during this time, please call 988.  

Our inclement weather policy 

Winter weather is here! We send alerts for inclement weather closures through the Patient Portal—if you aren’t signed up for our Patient Portal yet or need help regaining access to your account, please call us at 716.847.2441 (option 5).  

If we’re having inclement weather, you can also tune into our social media or call us at 716.847.2441 to make sure we’re open for your appointment.   

Important information for patients enrolled in a health plan through NYS Department of Health marketplace 

If you’re enrolled in New York’s Essential Plan, you need to find alternative plans through the health insurance marketplace by July 1, 2026.  

Due to a federal funding cut, individuals enrolled in an Essential Plan will lose their current $0 premium coverage on July 1, 2026, and will need to find an alternative plan through the health insurance marketplace.   

What does this mean for you?  

• You will be notified by the state about the need to switch coverage. Typical notifications come by mail, email, text and WhatsApp Messaging, based on the alert that was specified when you applied for your plan.  

• Evergreen’s Financial Counseling Center is here to help you find a plan that works for you through the NYS of Health marketplace.    

• Alternatives to the Essential Plan will likely mean higher monthly premiums and may have different benefit structures. Our Financial Counseling Center is here to help you assess your options.    

• To avoid a gap in coverage, you need to enroll in a new plan before July 1, 2026.    

Need more information?    

• Evergreen’s Financial Counseling Center is available from 8am to 5pm Monday-Friday, and Tuesday until 7pm. Contact us at 716.847.2441 (press option 7), or walk in to our 206 South Elmwood Avenue location.   

• Visit info.nystateofhealth.ny.gov/findassistor to find help with enrollment near you, available in all languages.   

Did you recently update your insurance? 

If your insurance information has changed or you received a new insurance card, please take a moment to update the information in your Patient Portal. Be sure to bring your updated information with you to your next appointment. 

The updated COVID-19 vaccine is available 

COVID-19 is still circulating, and the 2025-2026 updated vaccine is now ready and available. It’s our best protection against serious illness, hospitalizations, and long-term complications. The vaccine is safe, free, and recommended for everyone 6 months and up, especially children, older adults, pregnant people, and anyone with health risk factors.  

Even if you’ve had COVID-19 before, this booster helps keep your protection strong. Getting vaccinated also significantly reduces the likelihood of needing urgent care, ER visits, or hospitalization for COVID-19. We encourage you to get vaccinated now to stay protected and help protect those you love.  

You can walk into the pharmacy at 206 S. Elmwood Ave. or 800 Hertel Ave. during regular business hours to get vaccinated.  

January is Cervical Health Awareness Month 

Every January, we observe Cervical Health Awareness Month. If you have a cervix, you can lower your risk of cervical cancer with regular Pap and HPV tests and the HPV vaccine. Early detection saves lives! 

Talk to your healthcare provider about screening and protecting yourself and your loved ones today. To schedule an appointment, call 716.847.2441 (option 5).