Doctor’s Note: March 2026 reminders from Evergreen Health

Primary & Specialty Care’s telephone hours are changing! 

As of March 1, 2026, Primary & Specialty Care can be reached by telephone during the following hours: 

• Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday: 8am – 6:45pm  

• Thursday & Friday: 8am – 4:45pm 

Calls will continue to be received outside of these hours by our after-hours answering service. After-hours services are intended for medical advice only and should not be used for routine matters such as appointment scheduling, prescription refills or general questions.  

For routine matters, the Patient Portal allows real-time access to your medications, clinical notes, labs, diagnostic reports and upcoming appointments. It’s also where you can request appointments, refills and medical records, make payments and message your provider.  

If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911. If you are experiencing a mental health or substance use-related emergency, call 988. You can also call Crisis Services of Buffalo & Erie County (716.834.3131), Niagara County Crisis Services (716.285.3515) or the Chautauqua County Crisis Line (1.800.724.0461) or go to your nearest hospital emergency room.  

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?    

• Further changes due to government interventions are possible, and understanding the impacts of these changes can be difficult: contact our Financial Counseling Center to get up-to-date information and guidance in real time. Our Financial Counseling team 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. 

New providers for Primary & Specialty Care

We’re excited to welcome two new providers with Evergreen Health’s Primary & Specialty Care team: 

• Welcome Anna Hobler, PA-C, to Team Evergreen! Anna attended Hunter College in NYC, then went on to attain her master’s in social work at the University at Buffalo and her master’s in physician assistant studies at Canisius University. Anna spends her free time fostering dogs and cooking. She is passionate about providing high-quality care and is now accepting new Adult Primary Care patients at our 206 S. Elmwood Ave. location! 

• Welcome Annalise Spritzer, DNP-FNP, to Team Evergreen! Annalise was born and raised in Buffalo and went to the University at Buffalo to become a Nurse Practitioner. Prior to obtaining her degree as a Nurse Practitioner, she was a Registered Nurse in Labor & Delivery. Annalise is passionate about providing LGBTQ+ friendly gynecological care and is now accepting new patients for Gynecological Care and Sexual Health at our 206 S. Elmwood Ave. and 3297 Bailey Ave. locations, and Gynecological Care at our 7 Community Dr. location! 

To schedule appointments with Evergreen’s Primary & Specialty Care, call us at 716.847.2441 (press option 5).

March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month

Did you know colorectal cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer in the United States? If you are 45 or older, or have a family history of colorectal cancer, talk to your doctor about getting screened. Early detection can save lives! 

Talk to your provider about screening options and ways to lower your risk of colorectal cancer at your next appointment. You can schedule an appointment by calling us at 716.847.2441 (press option 5) or through the Patient Portal.

March is National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month

National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month is celebrated annually in the United States in March. It highlights the many ways people with disabilities come together to form diverse communities, as well as the barriers that people with disabilities face. 

Evergreen provides affirming care for individuals with disabilities. Call us at 716.847.2441 to learn more.

March 8 is International Women’s Day 

International Women’s Day is celebrated annually around the world on March 8. This is a day to celebrate the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women across the world, while continuing to advocate for gender equity. Women face healthcare disparities in access to and quality of treatment. Evergreen strives to address those disparities by providing nonjudgmental, respectful care to all our patients in the Western New York community, as part of our mission to eradicate health inequity through unconditional care.

March 16-20 is LGBTQ+ Health Awareness Week 

LGBTQ+ Health Awareness Week is an opportunity for the healthcare community to advocate for safe, inclusive and welcoming environments and quality, accessible and non-discriminatory healthcare for LGBTQ+ patients. 

Evergreen specializes in the health and wellness of LGBTQ+ patients and is proud to provide affirming, equitable care. Call us at 716.847.2441 (press option 5) to learn more. 

March 31 is Transgender Day of Visibility

March 31 is recognized annually as Transgender Day of Visibility, a day to celebrate transgender and gender expansive people while raising awareness about the ongoing violence and discrimination they face. 

Evergreen specializes in the health and wellness of transgender and nonbinary people. To learn more about our affirming services, call us at 716.847.2441 (press option 5).

THRIVE events in March

If you’re a Primary or Specialty Care patient at Evergreen, and you’re ready to make some lifestyle changes, THRIVE might be right for you!  

THRIVE Wellness Center offers a variety of activities to help you reduce stress and live your healthiest life. THRIVE helps people with chronic health conditions address their emotional, nutritional, physical and social needs.  

If you’re interested in THRIVE services, contact your Evergreen provider to request a referral.  

March’s THRIVE group sessions: 

• 3/3: Colorectal Cancer Overview 

• 3/4: Nutrition Jeopardy 

• 3/10: Top 10 Causes of Death 

• 3/11: Family Feud—Health Edition 

• 3/17: The Truth About Sugar Documentary 

• 3/18: Health Trivia 

• 3/24: Effects of Alcohol 

• 3/25: Memory Matching