Food as medicine
Medically tailored meals (MTM), explained
Medically tailored meals are prepared meals, delivered to your home, that a registered dietitian nutritionist designs around a diagnosed health condition such as diabetes, heart failure, or kidney disease. In New York, Medicaid can cover them for eligible members through Social Care Networks. Here is what they are, how they differ from other home-delivered meals, and how to find out whether you may qualify.
About 5 minutes. No cost. Bronx residents on Medicaid.
What counts as a medically tailored meal
The meals are planned by a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) or certified dietitian nutritionist (CDN) to fit the nutrition needs of a specific condition, following evidence-based standards such as the Food is Medicine Coalition nutrition standards. A diabetes plan controls carbohydrates; a heart-failure plan limits sodium; a kidney plan manages potassium, phosphorus, and protein.
They arrive ready to heat and eat, usually as a weekly delivery, so someone who is recovering, has trouble shopping or cooking, or is managing a strict diet can follow their care plan at home without doing the planning themselves.
What the meals can look like
Providers in your network prepare meals around your plan and your dietary needs. Depending on the provider, that can include kosher, halal, vegetarian, pureed, renal and diabetes-friendly options.
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.
Medically tailored meals vs. home-delivered meals
New York Medicaid covers both kinds of prepared meals, for different situations:
Medically tailored meals (MTM)
For members with a qualifying chronic condition such as diabetes, congestive heart failure, chronic kidney disease, COPD, hypertension, cancer, asthma, sickle cell, or HIV/AIDS, and for members who are pregnant or postpartum. Designed for the condition and approved by a dietitian.
Clinically appropriate home-delivered meals
Nutritionally balanced prepared meals for members with food insecurity who do not have one of those conditions. Also delivered to the home and approved by a dietitian, but not tailored to a diagnosis.
How Medicaid covers them in New York
Under New York’s Medicaid 1115 waiver, nutrition services are health-related social needs (HRSN) services coordinated by regional Social Care Networks. To receive medically tailored meals a member generally needs Medicaid Managed Care coverage, an unmet food need identified through the state’s standardized screening, membership in one of the state’s enhanced populations, and a qualifying condition or a pregnancy.
Approved meals are covered by Medicaid with no copay, up to three meals a day. They are approved for up to six months at a time and can be renewed once for up to six more months if the need continues; pregnant members can receive them through pregnancy and up to 12 months after birth. Your Social Care Network and health plan make that decision, not us.
Who may qualify
It is worth checking if you have Medicaid and any of these apply:
- A chronic condition that affects what you should eat, such as diabetes, heart disease, or kidney disease
- A recent hospital stay, surgery, or new diagnosis
- A pregnancy, or a birth in the last 12 months
- Trouble affording, shopping for, or preparing the food your condition calls for
We help you find out and connect you to your Social Care Network for the official screening. Final eligibility is decided by the network and your health plan. Participation is voluntary.
Common questions about medically tailored meals
What does MTM stand for?
MTM means medically tailored meals: prepared meals designed by a dietitian for a specific health condition and delivered to the home. In New York Medicaid documents they are listed under nutrition health-related social needs services.
Are medically tailored meals free with Medicaid?
If your Social Care Network approves them, they are covered by Medicaid with no copay. Approval depends on your coverage, the state screening, and your condition; nobody can promise them in advance.
How many meals do you get?
Up to three prepared meals a day, seven days a week, for the period your network approves: up to six months at a time, renewable once, or through pregnancy and 12 months after birth.
Can I get medically tailored meals if I have SNAP or WIC?
Yes. Being on SNAP or WIC does not disqualify you from Medicaid nutrition services in New York.
Who decides whether I qualify?
A Social Care Navigator at your Social Care Network, in a one-on-one assessment, together with your health plan. For Bronx residents that network is led by SOMOS Community Care. Medicaid Meals helps you get there; we do not decide eligibility.
Think medically tailored meals could help?
Answer a few questions about your coverage and your health, and we will show you the meal programs you may qualify for in New York.
See if you may qualify