Engaging healthcare and policy leaders to change the way America feeds the sick.
We believe that food is powerful medicine. Malnutrition is a costly, prevalent problem for the healthcare system and studies show that access to nutritious meals improves health outcomes, lowers healthcare costs, and improves the quality of patient care.
At least 1 in 3 patients enters the hospital malnourished.
Healthcare costs for malnourished patients are up to 3x higher than costs for properly nourished patients.
Hospital stays for malnourished patients are up to 3x longer than for properly nourished patients.
Medically tailored, home-delivered meals are a low-cost, high-value service for severely ill patients which is why we advocate for the integration of medically tailored meals and supportive nutrition services into public and private healthcare models.
As a HIPAA compliant program, we have partnered with innovative healthcare payers since 2014. We are contracted to provide medically tailored meals to individuals enrolled in Managed Care programs, Senior Care Options and One Care plans, programs within Accountable Care Organizations, and pilot programs for individuals who receive clinical services within home-base settings – all serving high-cost, high-needs patients.
We measure the return on investment for the provision of medically tailored meals through healthcare payment models. Data from our research projects is instrumental in building the evidence base and furthering our work and that of the broader Food is Medicine field.
We’ve partnered with Dr. Seth Berkowitz of MGH to examine whether our medically tailored meals intervention for diabetic patients changes patients’ diet in a way that shows improved health and reduced costs. Results are expected in fall of 2017. The study is funded by BCBS of MA and BNY Mellon.
A retrospective analysis that looks at patients Community Servings has served through Commonwealth Care Alliance, one of our healthcare contracts. CCA patients studied will have received our medically tailored meals for at least six months and will be compared against two control groups: patients with similar demographics who have not received our meals or those who have received Meals on Wheels. Results are anticipated in fall of 2017. This study is funded by the AARP Foundation.
This Robert Wood Johnson Foundation “Evidence for Action” funded study evaluates the Food is Medicine approach on health. The project studies the impact of Community Servings’ medically tailored meals program on healthcare expenditures, inpatient hospitalizations, and ER visits in severely and nutritionally vulnerable adults. Dr. Seth Berkowitz from MGH will serve as co-primary investigator along with Jean Terranova, Community Servings’ Director of Food & Health Policy. Other key partners include a secondary researcher from the Mongan Institute Health Policy Center and the MA Department of Health. Results of the 30-month project are expected in summer of 2018.
Community Servings serves as a member of the Food is Medicine Coalition, a coalition of nonprofit, medically tailored food and nutrition services providers from across the country. The goal of the Food is Medicine Coalition (FIMC) is to advocate for public policy that supports access to food and nutrition services for people with critical and chronic illnesses. Learn more about the FIMC and how to get involved.
Community Servings has achieved high ratings by GuideStar & Charity Navigation and is an accredited FIMC Member.
