by Ricardo Moreno, Partnerships and Communications Manager

In 2017, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Serves approved the 1115 waiver in MA, allowing eligible MassHealth patients to access nutrition supports (e.g. medically tailored meals) and housing supports. This was a massive step towards addressing Social Determinants of Health for patients in MA and establishing Food is Medicine programs. The waiver was up for renewal in 2022. On September 28th, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) renewed the MA 1115 waiver. In addition, the renewed waiver has been updated to allow meals to be served to eligible children through the flexible services program. Previously, the programs were only available to adult patients, but now dependents may receive meals as well. This update opens a great opportunity for EatWell to serve families and households and reflects HHS and Massachusetts’ continued support for Food is Medicine programs. We are excited about this holistic perspective to care that HHS continues to support and are happy to be in a progressive market like Massachusetts that is pushing the envelope on preventive care!