Headline

This brief outlines strategies for Medicaid policymakers to develop or enhance their nutrition services.

Background

Food insecurity is the most prevalent social need among the Medicaid population, and can have a significant impact on health outcomes. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) allows states to use Medicaid funding through various mechanisms for nutrition supports, such as nutrition-related case management, nutrition counseling, and home-delivered meals. However, defining and implementing these services can be challenging. This brief describes approaches for state policymakers to advance nutrition strategies through Medicaid.

Findings

This brief outlines three key strategies for designing equitable nutrition benefits, using examples and insights from state Medicaid policymakers participating in a health-related social needs implementation learning series:

1. Refine CMS-defined nutrition interventions to better meet Medicaid member needs – Outlines how states can include transportation, supplies, appliances, and connections to other Medicaid benefits as part of their service offering to address a range of food needs;
2. Ensure nutrition interventions are culturally appropriate and center the Medicaid member experience – Shares how states can work with non-traditional and local food providers to ensure available foods reflect the preferences and cultural choices of members; and
3. Define and standardize nutrition intervention eligibility to maximize impact and decrease burden – Describes how states can establish clear eligibility criteria for nutrition services to simplify administrative procedures and manage spending within program budgets.

The brief also includes a table outlining eligibility criteria for nutrition services from various states and links to federal and state policy guidance.

Policy/Program Takeaways

State Medicaid policymakers can use the approaches presented in this brief to design and enhance nutrition benefits.