Anthem Adds Home Meal Delivery to Medicare Advantage Plans

Anthem is offering home meal delivery service to its post-discharge Medicare Advantage plan members in  in several states including Georgia, Kentucky, Missouri, and Wisconsin the payer announced.

Anthem is partnering with GA foods to provide Medicare Advantage enrollees with 20 meals. GA employees will deliver meals to members’ homes, unpack them, and put them in a member’s freezer. Meals can then be reheated in the oven or microwave at a convenient time, and members can elect to have ready-to-eat meals.

The partnership is an effort by Anthem to lower risks that exacerbate the adverse health effects of poor dietary habits after a hospitalization.

“Weight loss and poor nutrition are common causes of people not recovering fully from being sick or, even worse, can lead them back into the hospital,” said David McNichols, president of Anthem’s Medicare central region. “This home-delivered meal service is part of Anthem’s commitment to ensuring our members receive high-quality, affordable and comprehensive health care.”

This benefit will be available in Medicare Advantage HMO plans including Anthem MediBlue Plus, Anthem MediBlue Dual Advantage, BCBSHP MediBlue Essential, and BCBSHP MediBlue Dual Advantage plans.

Anthem also added that it will be offering standalone Part D plans for specialized prescription drug benefits and Medicare supplement plans that cover copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles at any doctor or medical facility that accepts Medicare in these states.