New York Medicaid Meals

MealboxRx is free, ready-to-heat meals for New York Medicaid members who qualify, planned by a registered dietitian and delivered to your door in Brooklyn, Queens or Manhattan. There are two kinds: medically tailored meals (MTM) and clinically appropriate meals (CAM). MealboxRx is a program of MBD Care, a New York Social Care Network provider.

Medically tailored meals (MTM) are built around a diagnosis: carbohydrate-controlled for diabetes, lower sodium for heart conditions, softer textures where chewing or swallowing is hard. Clinically appropriate meals (CAM) are balanced, consistent meals for households that need reliable food but not a condition-specific plan, such as families with young children or someone home after a recent hospital stay. You don't have to choose: a registered dietitian decides which one fits you after your assessment.

Yes, if you are approved. The meals are covered through your New York Medicaid health plan, so there is no cost to you and nothing to pay back.

People with active New York Medicaid through a Medicaid health plan, such as Fidelis, Healthfirst or MetroPlus, who live in Brooklyn, Queens or Manhattan and have a qualifying health need. Any regular Medicaid health plan works, including HARP. A short screening and an eligibility assessment show what you qualify for.

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 at 718-737-2252 and we will screen you and check what you can get. People with Medicare, other full health insurance, emergency-only Medicaid or a spenddown have different rules, so call us and we will check.

Members of long-term care plans (MLTC and MAP) cannot get meals 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.

Many members qualify based on their Medicaid record. If you do not, a short attestation signed by your doctor may help you qualify. We provide the paperwork for your doctor to sign.

If you are approved, your dietitian plans how many meals you get: up to 21 balanced meals a week, which is breakfast, lunch and dinner for seven days, delivered weekly. Most members are approved for 6 months at a time, and it can sometimes be extended. Pregnant and postpartum members are approved for 12 months.

Yes. Halal and Kosher meals are prepared that way from the start, not adjusted on request. Standard meals are also available. Tell us what you need during your screening.

The meals arrive cooked, so you only need a way to heat them, such as a microwave or oven. If your home is missing a microwave or a refrigerator, the same Medicaid program may help with appliances. Ask us during your screening.

Once you are approved, a registered dietitian does an assessment with you and prescribes your meals. Your first meals usually arrive within a week of that, sometimes the next day. After that, meals come every week.

Yes, if a grocery box suits you better. FoodboxRx, also part of the MBD Care family, delivers a weekly box with over 20 pounds of food to cook at home. Your dietitian helps you choose.

No. If you qualify, the same Medicaid program may also help with housing support, cooking supplies, appliances such as a refrigerator or microwave, and transportation to appointments. Each has its own criteria, and your screening shows what you can get.

No. The meals come through Medicaid and do not replace or reduce SNAP, WIC or any other benefit.

Fill in the short form on this site or call 718-737-2252. We speak English, Russian, Ukrainian, Uzbek and Hebrew. A doctor or care manager can also refer you.