Medicaid Meal Delivery Services and Qualifications

If you or someone you know are a senior or you are a person with a disability you may be eligible to participate in Medicaid home food delivery. Under the Social Security Act, in 1981, the federal government established the Home and Community Based Care Services program (HCBS) that provides waivers for meals. 

If you are unable to cook for yourself or if you do not have someone that can help you prepare food you can have food delivered to your home rather than meal preparation services. There are a variety of programs that are based on financial and non-financial requirements.

Many programs will deliver food daily, every few days, or weekly to seniors or people that are disabled and cannot prepare their own food. 

Meals will be either frozen, shelf stable or fresh. You will need to check with a program provider to see what they offer. If you have dietary concerns many providers can address those dietary concerns, for instance: pureed, gluten-free, diabetic, vegetarian, or cancer meals can be provided to individuals that qualify.

The program offers nutrition counseling, a reduction of those at risk, and home-delivered meals. In most states the program is instituted by the Medicaid Program. Once you are qualified for the program you will choose from a list of providers. You can choose providers based on the type of service they will offer you. The state has guidelines for each provider so you can be assured that the food is good quality, nutritious and sanitary.

To qualify for the program individuals should be eligible for Medicaid. Medicaid eligibility is determined by the Social Security Administration in your state. Medicaid provides health and supplemental services for the elderly, disabled, pregnant and other eligible people.

You are automatically eligible for Medicaid if you receive supplemental security income, work first family assistance, state and county specials assistance for the aged or disable also known as adult care home assistance, or special assistance to the blind.

Medicaid is also offered if you qualify because your income is 133 percent lower than the federal poverty level; that is approximately $29,700 for a family of four. In order to qualify the person must also demonstrate that they are unable to prepare meals on their own because they are ill, have a medical condition that prevents them from being able to take care of themselves, or are disabled or incapacitated.

Persons that do not have someone that can prepare meals on their behalf will also qualify for the Medicaid home food delivery program. You will need to have a place that can adequately store the meals like a refrigerator or freezer. Also anyone that lacks support for other in-home services that Medicaid would normally pay for may be eligible for the program.

Each state will offer a waiver for the cost of their home delivered meals. Each state will have guidelines on what type of meals the individual can receive. Some of these guidelines will determine if food can be hot, cold or frozen. Some states will have limitations on Medicaid food deliveries and limit them to 1, 2, or 3 meals per day while some will allow snacks also.

The reimbursable amount will be determined by the state and can be as little as $3.00 and as much as $8.00. For instance if your provider provides meals at $5.50 per meal and the state only reimburses $3.00, the eligible participant is required to pay the $2.50 difference in the cost of the meal.

Normally a waiver is approved for a period of time and then a renewal is required. To be eligible for renewal and individual must still meet the requirements for beginning eligibility participation. The provider also has to go through a renewal; you may be required to change providers if they no longer qualify to be a provider under your states guidelines.

Medicaid meal deliveries have special instructions on how meals should be prepared like microwave or special oven temperatures. Some meals do not need to be heated and some meals will arrive already cooked and ready to eat.

Meals will also be required to meet the standards set forth by the United States Department of Agriculture and Health and Human Services Dietary Guidelines so that they contain at least 33.3 percent of the individual’s dietary needs.

Meal delivery companies are required to have a backup plan in case there are emergency conditions that prohibit them from their normal deliveries. This plan is in place incase facilities where food is store and prepared are not accessible, weather related condition prevent staff from delivering or preparing food, electrical and utility outages, and other emergency situations. The food provided can be shelf stable foods. The provider may also have volunteers and other community services to help provide food in an emergency situation so you as the participant will not go without food.

To find out more information about the program and its eligibility requirements possible eligible individuals should contact their: