Transforming Health: How a Nutrition Program for MassHealth Patients with High Needs Cuts Costs and Utilizes Healthcare Resources

Research shows that providing nutritious food to individuals with complex health issues and food insecurity can greatly improve health outcomes. A recent study from UMass Chan Medical School highlights the benefits, including fewer hospital visits and lower healthcare costs.

Published on April 8 in Health Affairs, this study is the first of its kind to analyze Medicaid-funded "food is medicine" programs, examining their impact on healthcare usage and expenses. It tracked over 20,000 participants from 17 accountable care organizations (ACOs) and 16 community-based groups.

MassHealth ACOs are health systems that partner with community organizations to oversee the care quality and costs for specific populations. Launched in 2020, the nutrition initiative was designed to help families struggling with food insecurity by offering medically tailored meals, food boxes, and even cooking supplies. This program is part of Massachusetts’ Medicaid Section 1115 demonstration, meant to pilot innovative health solutions.

The research focused on MassHealth members aged 1 to 64 enrolled in ACOs who met specific health criteria, such as diabetes or postpartum care, and faced food insecurity. It found that participants in the nutrition program had a 23% reduction in hospitalizations and a 13% drop in emergency room visits compared to those who did not receive these services.

Notably, between 2022 and 2023, during the recovery phase post-COVID-19, participants had healthcare costs that were, on average, $1,721 lower. Over the entire study, those who engaged with the program for over 90 days saved about $2,502 in healthcare costs against non-participants, leading to net savings for the Medicaid program.

Dr. Kurt Hager, who led the research, noted the program helped remove the barriers to healthy eating, enabling patients to focus on their health without worrying about the cost of food versus medication. He emphasized that improved nutrition can make other medical treatments more effective, such as helping patients stick to their medication routines.

Matthew J. Alcusky, another researcher, highlighted the program’s flexibility, allowing ACOs to target services based on individual needs. The findings are promising, especially considering the healthcare landscape’s changes after the pandemic.

Overall, the evidence suggests that investing in nutrition can lead to significant cost savings and improved health for vulnerable populations, creating a win-win for both individuals and the healthcare system.

For more details, you can read the study here.

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