Different needs call for different kinds of meals
Meals that may be available through your network
Medicaid nutrition programs may offer different meal types based on your health needs, dietary requirements, cultural preferences, available providers, and the benefits authorized by your Medicaid plan or Social Care Network.
About 5 minutes. No cost. Participation is voluntary.
Medicaid Meals does not prepare or deliver meals. We help you understand the types of nutrition programs that may be available and connect you with the appropriate program so you can review your options.
Availability varies by program and provider.
Medically tailored meals
Medically tailored meals are prepared meals designed around a person’s medical or nutritional needs. When required by the program, a registered or certified dietitian may help determine the appropriate nutritional requirements.
Programs in your network may offer meals designed for needs such as:
Diabetes-friendly
Meals may be designed with controlled carbohydrates and other nutritional considerations appropriate for people managing diabetes.
Heart-healthy
Programs may offer meals designed with lower sodium, saturated fat or other heart-health considerations.
Kidney and renal-friendly
Some programs may offer meals designed around potassium, phosphorus, sodium, protein or other dietary requirements associated with kidney disease.
Vegetarian and vegan
Plant-based meal options may be available through some meal providers.
Gluten-free
Some providers may offer gluten-free meal choices for members who require or prefer them.
Pureed and soft meals
Texture-modified meals may be available for individuals who have difficulty chewing or swallowing, or who have other medically appropriate dietary needs.
Halal meals
Some programs and meal providers may offer Halal meals for members who follow Islamic dietary practices. Because preparation methods and certification may differ by provider, members should confirm Halal requirements directly with the meal provider or through their Social Care Network.
Kosher meals
Some programs and providers may offer Kosher meals for members who follow Jewish dietary practices. Kosher certification and preparation standards vary among providers, so members should confirm the appropriate level of certification with the provider or Social Care Network.
Cultural and religious meal preferences matter
Nutrition assistance works better when people can actually eat and enjoy the food they receive.
When you complete your Medicaid Meals screening, you should be able to tell us about important dietary considerations such as:
- Vegetarian or vegan preferences
- Halal requirements
- Kosher requirements
- Food allergies or sensitivities
- Difficulty chewing or swallowing
- Culturally familiar foods
- Medically required dietary restrictions
We can include those needs when helping you understand the programs that may be available.
A dietary preference does not guarantee that a particular meal type or provider is available. Final meal selection, clinical appropriateness, authorization and availability are determined by the participating program, Social Care Network, health plan and meal provider.
What home-delivered meals may look like
Depending on the provider, meals may arrive fresh, chilled or frozen, and may be ready to eat or require heating.
Programs may provide breakfast, lunch, dinner or combinations of meals. Delivery frequency, number of meals, menu selection, preparation instructions and ability to substitute meals vary by provider and authorization.
Medicaid Meals does not select the menu or determine which provider you receive.
Illustrative images, not photographs of any one provider’s meals. Medicaid Meals does not prepare or deliver food. What you receive depends on the provider you choose, your plan, and your dietary needs. Completing a screening does not guarantee eligibility, approval, or delivery.
More than prepared meals
In New York, qualifying nutrition support may also include services other than prepared meals. Depending on eligibility and program availability, those services may include:
- Medically tailored meals
- Clinically appropriate home-delivered meals
- Medically appropriate food or produce
- Grocery or food boxes
- Nutrition education
- Nutrition counseling
- Certain food-preparation supports
The service available to you depends on your Medicaid coverage, screening results, health and social needs, program requirements and authorization.
Medicaid plans serving the Bronx
Your health plan does not determine whether Medicaid Meals favors you. Medicaid Meals is independent and does not recommend one Medicaid health plan over another.
Bronx residents are enrolled in a number of Medicaid Managed Care plans. Depending on eligibility, members of participating Medicaid Managed Care programs may receive health-related social-needs screening and may be connected with nutrition support through the Bronx Social Care Network.
Plans serving Bronx Medicaid members include:
- Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield HealthPlus
- EmblemHealth / HIP
- Fidelis Care
- Healthfirst PHSP
- MetroPlus Health Plan
- Molina Healthcare / Affinity by Molina
- UnitedHealthcare Community Plan
Specialized Medicaid plans serving eligible Bronx populations also include:
- Amida Care
- MetroPlus Special Needs Plan / Partnership in Care
- SelectHealth from VNS Health
Health plans are shown for informational purposes only. Inclusion does not indicate endorsement, sponsorship, recommendation, partnership or a referral arrangement with Medicaid Meals or Vista Verde Homes. Medicaid Meals does not rank or favor health plans, meal providers or community organizations. Availability and eligibility vary by coverage and program.
Are you enrolled in MLTC or Medicaid Advantage Plus?
Nutrition benefits for some Managed Long-Term Care and Medicaid Advantage Plus members may be administered directly through their health plan rather than through the same Social Care Network nutrition pathway used by other Medicaid Managed Care members.
Medicaid Meals can help you identify the appropriate place to ask about available nutrition benefits.
How Medicaid Meals helps
Tell us about you
Answer a few questions about where you live, your Medicaid coverage, food needs and health circumstances.
Tell us about your meal needs
Let us know whether you have medical dietary needs, food allergies, religious dietary requirements, texture requirements or other important preferences.
See what may be available
We explain the programs and nutrition services that may be available in your area.
Connect with the appropriate program
When appropriate and with your permission, we help connect you with the Social Care Network, health plan, community organization or other authorized program responsible for determining eligibility.
You choose
When provider choice is available, the decision belongs to you. Medicaid Meals does not receive a commission, referral fee, kickback or other compensation based on which meal provider, health plan or service you select.
Have Medicaid?
Find out what meal support may be available to you
Answer a few questions about your coverage, food needs and health situation. We can help you understand the nutrition programs that may be available in the Bronx.
About 5 minutes. No cost. Participation is voluntary.
Final eligibility, authorization, meal type, provider availability and benefits are determined by the applicable Medicaid program, health plan, Social Care Network or authorized service provider.