Modeling The Value Of 'Food Is Medicine': Challenges And Opportunities For Scaling Up Medically Tailored Meals

Top Things to Know

Nationwide implementation of MTMs could yield significant cost savings, with nearly all states benefiting.

Future models should consider variations in MTM program design, including dose, duration, and ancillary services.

Ensuring high-quality, patient-centered, and equity-oriented approaches is crucial for the effectiveness of MTM programs.

Summary of Conclusion/Findings

The perspective paper discussed the cost-effectiveness of medically tailored meal (MTM) programs. It highlights a simulation model by Shuyue Deng and colleagues, which found that nationwide implementation of MTMs would be cost-saving in nearly all US states, with projected savings of $32.1 billion in one year and $151 billion over five years. The paper emphasizes the need for future models to incorporate real-world variations in MTM program design, such as dose, duration, and ancillary services. It also underscores the importance of quality standards and patient-centered, equity-oriented approaches. The authors advocate for expanding the analytical perspective to include societal costs and benefits, beyond just the health care system.