Medicare and Medicaid Nutrition Coverage

Summary#

This bill adds "food and nutrition services" to the list of items and services that Medicare and Medicaid may cover. For Medicare, it adds a new subparagraph to section 1861(s)(2) to define such services as covered when they meet requirements the Secretary of Health and Human Services sets. It also amends section 1833(a)(1) to say Medicare payments for those specified food and nutrition services must equal 80 percent of the actual charge. For Medicaid, it adds food and nutrition services to section 1905(a) and makes that new item a mandatory Medicaid benefit by updating section 1902(a)(10)(A). The coverage rules for these services are to follow requirements the Secretary specifies. The Medicare and Medicaid changes take effect for items and services furnished on or after 180 days after the bill becomes law.

What it means for you#

• If you have Medicare: certain food and nutrition services could be covered when they meet rules set by the Secretary. The bill says Medicare would pay 80 percent of the actual charge for those specified services. The exact services and any conditions would be defined by the Secretary.
• If you have Medicaid: certain food and nutrition services would be added as a required Medicaid benefit for states, subject to the Secretary's requirements.
• The changes would begin for services provided 180 days after the law takes effect.

Expenses#

• The bill specifies Medicare payments equal to 80 percent of the actual charge for the specified food and nutrition services.
• No publicly available information on overall federal or state cost estimates, budget effects, or offsets is provided in the bill text or metadata.

Proponents' View#

No publicly available information.

Opponents' View#

No publicly available information.