At Trusted Senior Solutions, we’re hearing from many clients who have seen TV ads promoting meal delivery as part of Medicare coverage. It’s true that some Medicare Advantage plans include meal benefits, but there are important details to understand.
We’ve created this guide to help you learn what’s covered, who qualifies, and how these benefits work — so you can make the most informed decision about your Medicare options.
Original Medicare (Parts A & B) does not cover food delivery or meal services at home. However, some Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans do offer meal benefits as a supplemental service — typically under specific medical circumstances.
Most Medicare Advantage plans that offer meal delivery benefits do so under these conditions
If you’ve been discharged from a hospital or skilled nursing facility, some plans provide temporary meal delivery to support your recovery at home. This typically includes:
2 meals per day for up to 7 to 14 days
Meals delivered to your home
No cost to you when medically necessary
If you are enrolled in a Chronic Condition Special Needs Plan (C-SNP), you may qualify for ongoing meal support that is:
Tailored to your health needs (e.g., diabetic-friendly, heart-healthy)
Delivered weekly or biweekly
Covered as part of your plan’s benefits
Some Medicare Advantage plans also offer:
Grocery allowances or prepaid debit cards for healthy food
Access to community programs or partnerships (like Meals on Wheels)
Nutrition counseling as part of care management
Meal delivery benefits are not available to all enrollees. You may qualify if:
You recently had a hospital stay or procedure
You are homebound or recovering at home
You have certain chronic health conditions (such as diabetes, congestive heart failure, or kidney disease)
Your plan includes the meal benefit in your specific service area
While not all plans include this benefit, many national carriers offer it in certain Medicare Advantage plans, including:
Humana
Aetna
UnitedHealthcare
WellCare
Cigna
Availability and coverage vary by zip code, and benefits may change annually.
Many national advertisements promote meal delivery and other perks like dental, vision, and grocery cards. While these are legitimate offerings, they are not included in every plan and may not be available in your area. It's important to speak with a licensed Medicare agent to understand what’s truly available to you.
Review your current Medicare Advantage plan to see if it includes food delivery
Help you explore other plans that may offer the benefit
Make sure you qualify before you switch or enroll
Connect you with meal delivery programs in your area if needed
You don’t need to guess, we’re here to guide you every step of the way.
Does Medicare pay for Mom’s Meals or similar programs?
Yes, some Medicare Advantage plans partner with Mom’s Meals or similar providers for post-discharge meal delivery. This depends on your plan and health needs.
Is there a monthly grocery allowance with Medicare?
Some plans offer prepaid cards for groceries, but this benefit varies by carrier and location. It is typically only included in Medicare Advantage plans, not Original Medicare.
Can I get meals delivered long-term?
Only Special Needs Plans (SNPs) typically offer long-term meal delivery. These are designed for people with chronic or complex conditions.