Examining Health Care Costs Among MANNA Clients and a Comparison Group
An Evidence-Based Practice
Description
Chronically ill patients have a strong need for public health services, including nutrition services, to aid in disease management and improve health outcomes. Evidence suggests that adequate nutrition in chronically ill patients has far-reaching implications on health status and health care costs for those individuals.
The MANNA Model combines meal delivery with personalized nutrition education for individuals with serious, chronic illness. Through this program, clients receive 21 medically tailored, home-delivered meals per week coupled with nutrition counseling by registered dietitians.
This program is a non-profit organization. About 35% of clients are covered by insurance, which reimburses MANNA for providing their services. Other costs are funded by support from individuals, corporations, and special fundraising events.
The MANNA Model combines meal delivery with personalized nutrition education for individuals with serious, chronic illness. Through this program, clients receive 21 medically tailored, home-delivered meals per week coupled with nutrition counseling by registered dietitians.
This program is a non-profit organization. About 35% of clients are covered by insurance, which reimburses MANNA for providing their services. Other costs are funded by support from individuals, corporations, and special fundraising events.
Goal / Mission
MANNA uses nutrition to improve health for people with serious illnesses who need nourishment to heal. By providing medically tailored meals and nutrition education, we empower people to improve their health and quality of life.
Impact
MANNA members report significant health care cost reductions due to improved health.
Results / Accomplishments
A retrospective pilot study in the greater Philadelphia area explored the health care expenditures of 65 MANNA clients compared to a similar group of Medicaid patients who did not receive MANNA services. The intervention group consisted of MANNA clients receiving 3 free, delivered, nutritionally balanced meals a day. They also received medical nutrition therapy, including nutrition counseling and meal planning, from registered dietitians. This group was compared to Medicaid recipients with similar overall characteristics (comparison group). Outcomes were examined for 6 months before meal delivery and the first 6 months of receiving meals. The intervention group, compared to matched comparison group, had significantly lower overall average monthly health care costs ($28,268 vs. $40,906, p<0.05).
The intervention group, compared to matched comparison group, had significantly fewer mean monthly inpatient visits (0.2 vs. 0.4, p<0.05), shorter length of inpatient stays (10.7 days vs. 17.1 days, p<0.05), and lower mean monthly inpatient costs ($132,441 vs. $219,639, p<0.05).
The intervention group, compared to matched comparison group, had significantly fewer mean monthly inpatient visits (0.2 vs. 0.4, p<0.05), shorter length of inpatient stays (10.7 days vs. 17.1 days, p<0.05), and lower mean monthly inpatient costs ($132,441 vs. $219,639, p<0.05).
About this Promising Practice
Organization(s)
Metropolitan Area Neighborhood Alliance (MANNA)
Primary Contact
Topics
Health / Physical Activity
Organization(s)
Metropolitan Area Neighborhood Alliance (MANNA)
Source
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/2150131913490737
For more details
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/2150...
https://www.mannapa.org/food-is-medicine/research/
https://www.mannapa.org/food-is-medicine/research/
Additional Audience
Medicaid Members with Chronic Diseases