Medicaid meal deliveries reduce hospital visits and costs * Pennsylvania Capital-Star

Medicaid meal deliveries are linked to fewer hospital visits and lower costs, according to a new study highlighted by Pennsylvania Capital-Star. “Medically tailored meals” are fully prepared, home-delivered meals customized by a registered dietitian nutritionist for Medicaid enrollees with diet-linked conditions such as diabetes, heart failure, and chronic kidney disease. Researchers focused on Massachusetts, the first state to widely offer these meals, and partnered Tufts University, the University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, and other groups. Enrollees receiving the meals had 31% fewer hospitalizations and 20% fewer emergency department visits. Per person, health costs fell by an average of $3,433 during participation, offsetting nearly all program costs to taxpayers. The report notes other states including California, Delaware, Massachusetts, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania and Washington.