Does Medicaid pay for meals on wheels in New York?

Standard senior Meals on Wheels programs are typically funded through the Older Americans Act, not Medicaid. However, New York's 1115 Medicaid Waiver now funds home-delivered, medically supportive meals for eligible Medicaid members through the Social Care Network (SCN). MealCare facilitates this service as an SCN vendor.

Who qualifies for medically tailored meals in NY?

Eligibility is set by the NY State Department of Health and the Social Care Network. In general, you must be enrolled in NY Medicaid, have a qualifying health-related social need (such as food insecurity), and have a clinical condition or life event — like a recent hospitalization, pregnancy, or chronic illness — that nutrition support can help.

How much do medically tailored meals cost?

For eligible New Yorkers enrolled through the SCN, there is no cost. The service is fully covered by NY Medicaid under the 1115 Waiver.

Medically Tailored Meals in NY

Q: What are medically tailored meals?

Medically tailored meals (MTMs) are fully prepared, ready-to-eat meals designed by registered dietitians to match a person's specific medical condition — such as diabetes, heart failure, kidney disease, or recovery after a hospital stay. They are not the same as standard meal delivery or Meals on Wheels; the menus, portions, and ingredients are clinically targeted.

A plain-English guide to medically tailored meals, who qualifies in New York, and how the 1115 Medicaid Waiver pays for them through the Social Care Network.

What are medically tailored meals?

Medically tailored meals — often shortened to MTMs — are fully prepared, ready-to-eat meals designed by registered dietitians to match a specific medical condition. Think diabetes-friendly menus with controlled carbs, heart-healthy meals with limited sodium, or renal diets that watch potassium and phosphorus. Every meal is built around the diagnosis, not the other way around.

That clinical focus is what separates MTMs from generic meal delivery. A typical food-delivery box gives you ingredients to cook. A senior nutrition program may deliver a hot lunch. A medically tailored meal is portioned, plated, and balanced to the gram for someone managing a chronic condition or recovering from a hospital stay.

How they differ from Meals on Wheels and food delivery

Meals on Wheels — senior nutrition programs funded mostly through the Older Americans Act. Broadly available to older adults, not condition-specific.
Standard meal delivery — commercial subscriptions (HelloFresh, DoorDash, etc.). Convenient, but not designed for medical needs and not covered by insurance.
Medically tailored meals — clinically designed, condition-specific, and — in New York — covered by Medicaid for eligible members.

Does Medicaid pay for meals in New York?

For eligible members, yes. New York's 1115 Medicaid Waiver funds home-delivered, medically supportive meals through regional Social Care Networks (SCNs). The SCN screens for health-related social needs — like food insecurity — and connects members to approved vendors who deliver the meals.

MealCare is one of those approved vendors. We don't decide who qualifies — the SCN handles that — but once a member is referred, we prepare and deliver the meals.

Who qualifies in New York

Final eligibility is determined by the NY State Department of Health and the Social Care Network, but most members who qualify meet criteria like these:

Enrolled in New York Medicaid.
Experiencing a health-related social need, most often food insecurity.
Have a clinical condition or life event nutrition support helps — for example diabetes, heart failure, kidney disease, cancer treatment, pregnancy, or recent hospitalization.

What you get with MealCare

Approved members receive weekly deliveries of 3 meals a day, 7 days a week — fully prepared, ready to heat and eat. Menus rotate, ingredients are real, and packaging is sized for a home fridge.

How to get started

Submit your information on the MealCare contact form.
Our team reaches out to confirm Medicaid enrollment and SCN referral details.
Once approved, weekly deliveries begin to your home.

See if you qualify

Frequently asked questions

Are there any out-of-pocket costs?: No. For eligible Medicaid members enrolled through the SCN, the service is fully covered.
Do I need a doctor's referral?: Not always. Referrals can come from a clinician, care manager, or directly from the Social Care Network after screening.
Where do you deliver?: MealCare delivers across New York, with active service in NYC and surrounding boroughs.
Can I customize my meals for allergies or culture?: Yes. Menus are designed by dietitians and account for allergies, religious requirements, and cultural preferences whenever possible.

MealCare is a vendor that helps facilitate the home-delivered meals benefit under the NY 1115 Medicaid Waiver Social Care Network. Eligibility and coverage are determined by the New York State Department of Health and the SCN.

Medically Tailored Meals in New York