Major insurer backs MAHA food philosophy 

Major insurer backs MAHA food philosophy 

Centene, the largest Medicaid managed care provider in the U.S., is calling for Medicare Advantage plans to be allowed to offer “food as medicine” as part of supplemental benefits, aligning closely with the “Make America Healthy Again” movement’s philosophy on chronic illness. 

In a blog post published by Health Affairs, leadership members of Centene called on the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)  “remove unnecessary barriers ” preventing Medicare Advantage plans from providing food as medicine benefits. 

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. frequently expounds on the benefits of using food as medicine. 

While experts agree the role of food in improving health outcomes is worth recognizing, some have said Kennedy overstates their potential, like when he once claimed schizophrenia could be cured with a ketogenic diet. The head researcher of the study that Kennedy cited disputed that claim. 

While traditional Medicare doesn’t offer grocery allowances, some Medicare Advantage plans offer special needs plans that come with supplemental benefits for the chronically ill. These are meant to cover healthy foods and produce. 

“To qualify, members must meet a rigid, statutorily defined three-part definition of “chronically ill,” which requires them not only to have a chronic condition but also to be at high risk of hospitalization and in need of intensive care coordination,” Centene’s leadership wrote in their post. 

“The result is a reactive, not preventive model, which makes it challenging for even those MA members diagnosed with CMS-approved diet-related conditions to access nutritious food benefits until they get even sicker,” they argued. 

Alice Chen, Centene’s chief health officer, told The Hill, “When you........

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