Headline
Recommendations for policymakers, health plans, and providers on implementing medically tailored meals (MTM) programs.
Context
MTM programs offer a long-term strategy to improve health outcomes for people with serious or chronic conditions and a short-term approach for acute health care needs or care transitions. This report provides detailed implementation recommendations for MTM programs, informed by a survey of MTM providers, program participants, policymakers, and other stakeholders.
Findings
The report provides recommendations across several key implementation priorities:
- Service duration;
- Program eligibility;
- Reimbursement rates;
- Infrastructure needs for community-based providers, including workforce and technology; and
- Data sharing.
The report also emphasizes that MTM is primarily designed for disease management through nutrition, rather than as an intervention to address food insecurity.
Takeaways
Policymakers, health plans, and health care providers can use these recommendations to ensure that MTM programs align with evidence-based and industry standards.