Does New York Medicaid pay for food?
In some cases, yes. Under New York's 1115 Medicaid Waiver, certain members can receive meals or grocery boxes at home as a health benefit. It is arranged through a Social Care Network rather than billed like a doctor's visit, and there is no cost to the member. MBD Care is a contracted provider delivering in Brooklyn, Queens and Manhattan. Whether it applies to you depends on your coverage and your health needs. The simplest way to find out is to leave us your details and we will call you back.
Who can get Medicaid food delivery?
You may qualify if you have active New York Medicaid through a Medicaid health plan, live in one of the boroughs we serve, have a health need that food can help with, and meet the programme's criteria through a screening and eligibility assessment. Having Medicaid on its own is not enough. If you are unsure whether this describes you, fill in our short eligibility form and we will talk it through on the phone.
Which Medicaid plans qualify?
Members of New York Medicaid managed care plans, including Fidelis Care, Healthfirst, MetroPlusHealth, EmblemHealth, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan, Anthem HealthPlus and Molina Healthcare. You do not need a referral from your plan; we check your coverage during the screening. See which plans qualify.
I have Medicaid but no health plan (fee-for-service). Can I get this?
Not while you are on fee-for-service (FFS), but for many people FFS is only a starting point. Most people with New York Medicaid must join a health plan, and if you don't choose one after the state asks you to, one will be chosen for you. To choose your own plan for free, call New York Medicaid Choice at 1-800-505-5678, or NY State of Health at 1-855-355-5777 if your Medicaid case is with NY State of Health. The plan usually starts on the 1st of a month, a few weeks after you choose. Once it starts, call us and we will screen you and check what you can get. Any regular Medicaid health plan works, including HARP. People with Medicare, other full health insurance, emergency-only Medicaid or a spenddown have different rules, so call us and we will check.
I have Medicare too, or a long-term care plan (MLTC or MAP). Do I qualify?
Members of long-term care plans (MLTC and MAP) cannot get food through this program, because their plan can provide meals as a benefit (ask your plan). They may qualify for other supports, such as housing support or transportation, after a screening. If you have both Medicare and Medicaid, it depends on how your Medicaid is set up: for some people it is fee-for-service, and some are in a plan that also covers Medicaid. Call us and we will check.
Which health conditions qualify?
Commonly diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, pregnancy, and children at nutritional risk. That is not a complete list: other conditions, and members who use Medicaid services often, such as frequent emergency room visits or hospital stays, can qualify with a doctor's attestation. We provide the paperwork for your doctor to complete.
My condition is not on the list. Can I still qualify?
Possibly. The common conditions are examples, not limits. Other health conditions can qualify with a short attestation from your doctor, and MBD Care provides the attestation paperwork for your doctor to complete. How qualifying with a doctor’s attestation works.
I go to the emergency room or hospital often. Can I qualify?
It can count. Members who use Medicaid services often, such as repeated emergency room visits or hospital stays, can qualify. A doctor’s attestation is usually needed, and we provide the paperwork.
What is a doctor's attestation, and where do I get the form?
It is a short form in which your doctor confirms your health need. You do not need to find it yourself: MBD Care provides the attestation paperwork for your doctor to complete.
What are medically tailored meals?
Prepared meals planned around a member's health needs and delivered ready to eat. What that looks like in practice depends on the condition and on what the assessment identifies.
What is a food prescription box?
Fresh produce, grains and pantry staples delivered for you to cook at home. It suits households that would rather cook than receive prepared meals.
Is food the only thing covered?
No. The same programme also covers cooking supplies such as pots, pans and basic kitchen equipment; appliances where a household is missing something essential, such as a refrigerator to store fresh food or a microwave to reheat meals; transportation to medical and social care appointments; and housing support, meaning help finding stable housing and help keeping it. Each of these has its own criteria, so qualifying for food does not automatically mean qualifying for the rest — it is worked out during the assessment. There is no separate application, though. If you are already working with us, ask.
Does Medicaid cover halal meals?
Through this benefit, yes — we arrange halal meals as a standard option, not a special request. Meat comes from certified halal suppliers, zabiha where required. No pork or pork derivatives are used anywhere on the kitchen line, no alcohol is used in cooking including sauces and marinades, and preparation surfaces and utensils are kept separate to prevent cross-contact.
Does Medicaid cover kosher meals?
Yes, on the same basis. Meals come from kitchens under recognised rabbinical supervision, meat and dairy are kept fully separate, and food arrives in sealed containers so packaging stays intact until you open it. Pareve options are available where a household keeps stricter separation.
Can pregnant women get this benefit?
They may. Pregnant and postpartum members can qualify, depending on their Medicaid coverage, a screening and an assessment. If approved, food support lasts 12 months. See food support in pregnancy and postpartum.
Can children get this benefit?
Children at nutritional risk can be eligible. When other people in the household need food support and each has their own Medicaid, we usually enroll each person individually, so everyone gets food that fits their own needs. Where that does not fit, we can set the household up together.
Which areas do you deliver to?
We deliver food in Brooklyn, Queens and Manhattan. MBD Care is also contracted with SOMOS, which covers the Bronx, so if you live there, call us and we will help connect you with the right services.
Is this a food pantry?
No. This is a Medicaid benefit delivered through the Social Care Network under the New York 1115 Waiver. There is no application fee, and using it does not affect your other benefits.
Will this affect my food stamps or other benefits?
No. This is a health benefit that comes through your Medicaid coverage, so it is separate from SNAP, WIC and cash assistance. It does not replace them, count against them, or reduce what you receive. There is no application fee and nothing to pay. If you have a specific question about your own SNAP case, your SNAP office can confirm it for you.
What is involved in getting started?
It starts with a phone conversation. After that there is a screening and an eligibility assessment, covering your coverage, your health needs, and what would work for your household. We arrange it and handle the paperwork.
How long until my first delivery?
Usually within two weeks of first reaching out. Once your nutrition assessment is done, your first delivery arrives within a week, and sometimes as soon as the next day.
Do you speak my language?
We work in English, Russian, Ukrainian, Uzbek and Hebrew. Tell us on the form which language you prefer and we will have someone who speaks it call you.
How do I start?
Leave us your name, contact details and ZIP code on our short form and we will call you back. The form does not decide anything — everything is worked out in the phone conversation that follows. You can also email info@mbd.care, or call 718-737-2252 if you would rather reach us directly. There is nothing to pay and no separate application.
