Original Medicare does not cover meal delivery, but some Medicare Advantage plans may. They may also cover help with grocery shopping. A person can contact their insurer to confirm coverage.
Meal delivery programs provide food and meals to people who need assistance due to physical or other medical conditions.
For example, a person may need meal delivery when they are recovering from a hospital stay, have become less mobile, or are no longer able to shop for groceries or cook for themself.
Original Medicare consists of Part A, which is inpatient hospital care, and Part B, which covers outpatient medical care.
Original Medicare does not typically cover meal delivery services.
Part A covers meals for people admitted to a hospital as an inpatient or skilled nursing facility (SNF). It does not cover meal delivery to other locations.
Private insurers administer Medicare Advantage plans, which offer additional benefits above those of Original Medicare. The extra benefits differ among plans.
According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, 65% of Medicare Advantage plans in 2025 offer meal benefits. These may include nutrition education, cooking classes, or meal delivery plans.
Most plans offer either a fixed number of meals or meals for a set temporary period after someone leaves the hospital or SNF.
Some individuals with chronic medical conditions may also be eligible for meal benefits. These are usually available through a special Medicare Advantage plan called a Chronic Condition Special Needs Plan (C-SNP). Examples of C-SNP-related conditions include congestive heart failure, diabetes, and end stage renal disease.
People can contact their insurer to determine whether their Medicare Advantage plan offers meal delivery services, including supplemental meal benefits, and how to arrange meal deliveries.
Medicaid, a public assistance healthcare program, may provide home-delivered meals for people who cannot prepare meals for themselves due to physical or other medical conditions.
Medicaid generally provides health coverage for people of any age with low incomes. However, a person may need to fulfill additional conditions to receive reimbursement for meal deliveries, and the rules may be different in every state.
For example, a person may need to be an older adult with a low income to qualify. Medicaid may also require a person to verify that they receive sufficient assistance with daily living to qualify for meal delivery. A person should check the rules on meal delivery with Medicaid in their state.
In 2020, the Department of Health and Human Services approved $250 million in grants for meal delivery services for qualifying adults and those with chronic medical conditions. In 2024, this amount was cut by 0.8% or $8 million.
In addition, people who receive nutrition assistance through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) can use SNAP to order groceries online. This order can include prepared grocery store meals. A person can check whether the online purchasing pilot is available in their state.
Several other programs offer additional meal delivery services if someone needs assistance with meals:
Administration for Community Living
The Administration for Community Living (ACL) provides meal delivery services through the Older Americans Act Nutrition Programs. The ACL’s Eldercare Locator helps people find local organizations that offer meal deliveries.
Meals on Wheels
The federal government funds the Meals on Wheels program, which provides meal delivery to individuals ages 60 and older.
Eligibility varies by individual program and location. This tool may help a person find services in their area. If someone does not qualify for free meals, they may be eligible for lower cost meals, depending on their income.
PACE program
Medicare and Medicaid fund the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE). This program offers assistance to people ages 55 years and over to live safely in their own homes.
PACE may offer nutritional counseling and meal assistance. It may also partner with another organization, such as Meals on Wheels, for home-delivered meal services. PACE may also provide help through a personal care assistant who prepares meals in the person’s home.
Medicare resources
For more resources to help guide you through the complex world of medical insurance, visit our Medicare hub.
If a person needs temporary assistance with meals, Medicare Advantage plans that offer meal delivery may be an option.
Other choices for long-term meal delivery include Meals on Wheels and private companies.
People who need meal delivery services should check the availability, eligibility, and costs in their local area, as these factors vary by state.
