The program provides healthy meal options with home delivery to health plan members
NORTHFIELD, IL, November 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Medline today announced a new food benefits solution that enables Medicare Advantage and Managed Medicaid organizations to offer locally sourced fresh produce, healthy groceries and prepared meals – delivered directly to members’ homes – as an additional added benefit.
Medline is introducing a nutritional benefits solution for health insurance providers that includes produce boxes, grocery boxes and ready-to-eat meals as an additional added benefit for health plan members.
A healthy diet contributes to overall health, protects against heart disease, diabetes and cancer, and can reduce annual medical costs by approximately more than 1800 dollars each year. By 2025, the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services will require Medicare Advantage organizations that participate in the value-based insurance model to offer supplemental benefits in at least two of the three areas of health-related social need—food, transportation, or housing. The effort is designed to help address the social determinants of health—the environmental conditions that affect people’s health, well-being, and quality of life.
“Access to a nutritional benefit can help members meet their nutritional needs, promote healthier eating habits, and manage and prevent chronic disease,” said Amy Rogers, BSN, RN, Medline Senior Clinical Resource Manager. “For health insurance providers, Medline’s nutrition benefits solution adds healthy food options to Medicare Advantage plans; an attractive ‘extra’ in a competitive market.”
According to a recent study, 77% of Medicare beneficiaries value getting healthy food, and members who have access to healthy food have an 11.6% reduction in the use of health services.
Through Medline’s Nutritional Benefits Solution, members can easily go online and, using the benefits provided to them, choose from three food categories:
- Making boxes: Only vegetables, only fruits, or a combination of both
- Food boxes: Assorted boxes of ready meals, produce and/or health foods, staples and snacks
- Prepared foods: Boxes with a combination of five, seven, ten and fourteen meals
Produce is locally and regionally sourced, grocery options are chosen for their healthy ingredients, and prepared meals are medically compliant with no additives or fillers. In addition, products and ready meals are delivered in insulated boxes, ensuring appropriate temperature levels during transport and delivery.
“We are confident that this new program will be a positive addition to our LiveWell OTC program, so we can allow plan members to easily use their additional benefits for both OTC and nutritional products,” said Katie Lavelle, director of business development, Health Plans, Medline. “Food is an attractive, cost-effective benefit that supports health care equity, improves the member experience, builds loyalty, minimizes the need for year-end rebates and lowers the overall cost of care.”
The Medline Newsroom recently spoke with Senior Clinical Resource Manager for Medline Nutrition Amy Rogers about the food-as-medicine movement and Medline’s new nutritional benefits solution. Learn more at https://newsroom.medline.com/expert-views/food-as-medicine-the-benefits-of-healthy-eating-for-older-adults/.
On December 7, 2023Medline will host a webinar with a registered dietitian nutritionist Lisa Roberson outline the main challenges of the Food as Medicine movement and identify possible mitigation solutions. Register for the webinar at https://medline.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_2g4o_LSKQ2ae74-b9yoObQ#/registration.
About Medline
Medline is a healthcare company – a medical supplies manufacturer, distributor and solutions provider focused on improving overall healthcare operational performance. By partnering across the continuum of care, Medline helps providers activate the clinical and supply chain resources needed to deliver their best care. With the agility to solve problems quickly and the scale to partner with suppliers for their sustainable success, Medline is able to invest in its customers for the future and quickly respond to a dynamically changing marketplace with customized solutions.
Most recently, Medline was named Forbes America’s Best Large Employers and America’s Best Employers for Women lists and was recognized for the 12th year by the Chicago Tribune as a Top workplace. Headquarters in Northfield, Illinois, Medline has 35,000+ employees worldwide and operates in over 125 countries and territories. Learn more at www.medline.com.
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SOURCE Medline