How Healthcare Advocates Help with Nutrition and Food Security

What this guide covers

If you are managing a chronic condition or struggling to afford nutritious food, a healthcare advocate can connect you to the right services and benefits. This guide explains what Medicare does and does not cover for nutrition, how advocates link you to community meal programs, and practical steps to get help now.

Why nutrition and food security matter for your health

Nutritious food is essential for energy, healing, and staying independent. Food insecurity can worsen chronic conditions like diabetes and heart disease and can raise health costs over time. Advocates screen for food needs early, help you apply for assistance, and coordinate clinical nutrition care when your diagnosis qualifies for covered services.

What Medicare covers for nutrition

Medical nutrition therapy with a registered dietitian

If you have diabetes, chronic kidney disease, or you received a kidney transplant in the last thirty six months, Medicare Part B covers medical nutrition therapy when your doctor refers you. Covered time includes a set number of hours in the first year and additional hours in later years, with extra hours when medically necessary. Your advocate can help you get the referral, find an in network dietitian, and prepare for the visit.

Intensive behavioral therapy for obesity

Medicare also covers intensive behavioral therapy for obesity in primary care. Sessions include screening, a nutrition assessment, and counseling that focuses on diet and physical activity. An advocate can confirm eligibility and help schedule the visits.

When meals or groceries may be included through Medicare Advantage

Original Medicare does not cover routine groceries or ongoing meal delivery. Some Medicare Advantage plans can offer supplemental benefits for people with chronic illness, which may include meals, food, or produce when these benefits can reasonably improve health or function. Availability varies by plan and by your health status. An advocate can check your plan documents and request the benefit when you qualify.

What Medicare does not cover and where advocates step in

Routine groceries are not a standard Medicare benefit. If you have a chronic condition, a dietitian can be included, and we can set that up to match your diagnosis and goals. If you are having trouble getting enough food, we can also connect you with agencies that deliver meals to your home, often one or two per day. We do not want you choosing between paying a bill and eating well. Our job is to make sure you are receiving the resources available to you so you can eat nutritious meals regularly. Call us at (646) 904-4027 or visit https://app.understoodcare.com/ and we will help you get started.

Community food programs your advocate can help you access

SNAP for older adults and adults with disabilities

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program helps eligible households buy food. Rules include special provisions for older adults and adults with disabilities. Your advocate can help you check eligibility and apply with your state agency.

Commodity Supplemental Food Program for seniors

CSFP provides a monthly package of shelf stable, nutritious foods for adults sixty and older through local agencies. An advocate can help you find the nearest site and complete enrollment.

Older Americans Act nutrition services

Local programs provide meals at community sites and home delivered meals for people who qualify. These services also include nutrition screening and education. If you are not sure where to start, an advocate can contact your Area Agency on Aging and place a referral.

Eldercare Locator

You can find local meal programs and aging services by calling 1 800 677 1116 or by using the national Eldercare Locator. Advocates use this tool to identify providers in your area and confirm availability.

Meals on Wheels and other local providers

Many communities deliver nourishing meals along with a friendly check in. Advocates coordinate enrollment, confirm menus that match your health needs, and problem solve around waitlists or special diets.

How your advocate makes this easier

An advocate can

• Screen for food needs and write a clear plan with you
• Confirm Medicare eligibility for dietitian visits and schedule the first appointment
• Gather required paperwork for SNAP or CSFP and submit applications
• Make direct referrals to home delivered meal programs and follow up on waitlists
• Coordinate with your doctor so your diet plan matches your diagnoses and medicines
• Troubleshoot transportation, mobility, or home safety barriers that make cooking hard

Getting a dietitian who fits your diagnosis

A registered dietitian will tailor your plan to your health history, labs, and medicines. If you live with diabetes, kidney disease, heart failure, COPD, or neuropathy, your needs are unique. Your advocate will ask your clinician for a referral when needed and help you prepare.

Bring to the visit

• A list of all medicines and supplements
• Recent labs and blood pressure or glucose logs
• A three day food record including beverages
• Questions about goals that matter most to you

For help speaking up during visits, see Talking with your healthcare provider

If cooking is hard right now

If you need meals delivered, we will contact providers in your area. That can include Meals on Wheels or another agency that brings ready to eat meals to your home, often once or twice a day. We will confirm nutrition needs such as low sodium, carbohydrate consistent, renal friendly, or blenderized textures and we will check for pet support or friendly visit options if those matter to you.

Simple steps you can take today

• Call us at (646) 904-4027 or sign up for a dedicated appointment at https://app.understoodcare.com/
• Ask your doctor about a referral for medical nutrition therapy if you have diabetes, chronic kidney disease, or a recent kidney transplant
• Gather pay stubs or benefit letters for SNAP and CSFP applications
• Tell your advocate about mobility limits, missing kitchen equipment, or safety concerns so we can add supports like grabbers, a microwave, or a home safety check

Food safety and storage tips

• Keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold
• Refrigerate leftovers within two hours
• Label containers with the date and use within safe time frames
• Ask delivery volunteers to place meals on the counter if lifting is difficult
• If you have swallowing or dental concerns, ask for softer textures

Related Understood Care guides

• What healthcare advocates do and how they help understoodcare.com/articles/what-are-healthcare-advocates
• Chronic care support and healthy eating basics understoodcare.com/articles/chronic-care-expert-strategies-for-managing-long-term-health-conditions
• How to talk with your healthcare provider and use teach back understoodcare.com/articles/talking-with-your-healthcare-provider
• Explore all articles https://understoodcare.com/articles

When to contact us

If you are skipping meals, running low on food, or unsure about coverage for dietitian visits, we are here to help. Call (646) 904-4027 or visit https://app.understoodcare.com/‍

Food, Medicare, and Meal Support: Frequently Asked Questions

• What does this guide cover?
  This guide explains how a healthcare advocate can help you with food and nutrition when you have a chronic condition or are struggling to afford enough to eat. It describes what Medicare does and does not cover for nutrition services, how advocates connect you with community meal and grocery programs, and practical steps you can take right now to get support.
• Why is nutrition and food security so important for my health?
  Nutritious food provides the energy, protein, and nutrients your body needs to heal, manage chronic disease, and stay independent. When food is limited or not balanced, conditions like diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, and lung disease can worsen. Food insecurity is also linked with more hospital visits and higher health costs over time. This is why advocates screen for food needs early, help you apply for assistance, and coordinate nutrition care as part of your overall treatment plan.
• What nutrition services does Medicare Part B cover?
  Medicare Part B covers medical nutrition therapy with a registered dietitian if you have diabetes, chronic kidney disease, or received a kidney transplant in the last thirty six months and your doctor provides a referral. Coverage includes a set number of hours in the first year and additional hours in later years, with more time available when medically necessary. Part B also covers intensive behavioral therapy for obesity in primary care, which includes screening, a nutrition assessment, and counseling about food choices and physical activity. A healthcare advocate can help you confirm eligibility, obtain the referral, locate in network dietitians or primary care clinicians, and schedule visits.
• Does Medicare pay for groceries or meal delivery?
  Original Medicare does not cover routine groceries or ongoing meal delivery as a standard benefit. In some cases certain Medicare Advantage plans can offer extra benefits for people with chronic illness, which might include meals, food boxes, or produce supports if these are expected to improve health or function. These extras vary a lot by plan and by your diagnoses. An advocate can review your plan materials, call the plan with you if needed, and help request meal or food benefits when you qualify.
• If Medicare does not cover my food, how can an advocate still help?
  Even when groceries are not covered, an advocate can make a big difference. They can screen you for food insecurity, connect you with local organizations that deliver meals to your home, and help you access nutrition programs that fit your medical conditions. Advocates often work with agencies that can deliver one or two meals per day, so you are not forced to choose between paying a bill and eating well. Their goal is to make sure you receive every resource available so you can eat regularly and safely.
• What is medical nutrition therapy and who provides it?
  Medical nutrition therapy is a structured service provided by a registered dietitian who is trained to use food and nutrition as part of your medical treatment. The dietitian reviews your medical history, laboratory results, medications, and daily routine to create a personalized eating plan. This is especially important if you live with diabetes, chronic kidney disease, heart failure, lung disease, neuropathy, or other conditions where food choices strongly affect symptoms and outcomes. Your advocate can ask your clinician for the required referral when you qualify and help you prepare for the dietitian visit.
• How can I get the most out of a dietitian appointment?
  You will get more benefit if you come prepared. Bring a list of all medicines and supplements you take, including doses and schedules. Bring any recent lab results or logs, such as blood glucose readings, blood pressure records, or weight changes if you have them. A short three day record of what you typically eat and drink can help the dietitian see patterns. It also helps to write down your goals, such as having more energy, reducing swelling, keeping blood sugar in range, or being able to cook safely at home. If you are nervous about speaking up, an advocate can help you practice questions or even join the visit to support you.
• What public food programs can an advocate help me access?
  Advocates commonly help with several key programs. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, often called SNAP, provides monthly benefits that help eligible households pay for groceries. Older adults and adults with disabilities may qualify under special rules, and an advocate can assist with the application and paperwork. The Commodity Supplemental Food Program, or CSFP, offers a monthly package of nutritious shelf stable foods to older adults through local agencies. Older Americans Act nutrition services provide meals at community sites and home delivered meals for people who qualify, along with nutrition screening and education. Advocates can also use the national Eldercare Locator to find local meal programs and aging services, and they frequently connect people with Meals on Wheels and similar providers that deliver meals along with a friendly safety check.
• What does an advocate actually do to make this easier for me?
  An advocate starts by asking simple questions about your food situation, budget, and health. Together you create a plan that might include Medicare covered visits with a dietitian, applications for SNAP or CSFP, and referrals to home delivered meal programs. The advocate can gather income and benefit documents, complete forms, send them to the right agencies, and follow up if there are delays or waitlists. They also coordinate with your doctor so your nutrition plan matches your diagnoses and medications, and they look for other barriers such as difficulty standing to cook, limited kitchen equipment, or safety concerns at home.
• What if cooking is hard because of fatigue, mobility issues, or safety concerns?
  If preparing food is difficult, an advocate can prioritize home delivered meal options and other supports. They can contact programs like Meals on Wheels or similar local agencies that bring ready to eat meals directly to your home. When they make the referral, they will ask about your specific needs, such as low sodium meals for heart failure, carbohydrate consistent meals for diabetes, renal friendly options for kidney disease, or softer textures if you have swallowing or dental problems. They may also suggest simple equipment such as a microwave, easy grip utensils, or reachers and can help you explore home safety checks if needed.
• What can I do today if I am worried about food or nutrition costs?
  If you are already working with an advocate, tell them if you are skipping meals, stretching food in unsafe ways, or feeling unsure about how to eat with your condition. If you are not yet connected, you can call Understood Care at the number in your guide or request an appointment online. You can also ask your doctor whether a referral for medical nutrition therapy is appropriate if you have diabetes, chronic kidney disease, or a recent kidney transplant. Gathering basic documents, such as benefit letters or recent pay stubs, will make SNAP or CSFP applications smoother. Let your advocate know if you have difficulty getting to the store, limited space to store food, or concerns about using your stove or oven so they can include practical supports in your plan.
• Are there simple food safety tips I should keep in mind with delivered or prepared meals?
  Yes. Keeping food safe is just as important as getting enough of it. Try to keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold, and refrigerate leftovers within about two hours of delivery or cooking. Label containers with the date so you know when to use them. If lifting or bending is hard, you can ask delivery volunteers to place meals on a counter or table within easy reach. If you have trouble chewing or swallowing, tell the meal program or your dietitian so they can suggest softer textures or blended options that are safer for you.
• When should I reach out for help with food or nutrition questions?
  You should reach out as soon as you notice that you are skipping meals, running low on food before the end of the month, or feeling confused about what to eat with your medical conditions. You should also seek help if you are unsure whether Medicare will cover visits with a dietitian or if you are overwhelmed by applications for food programs. A healthcare advocate can help you sort out benefits, connect with community resources, and make sure that food and nutrition are fully included in your care plan so you are not managing this alone.

References

• Medicare Part B medical nutrition therapy services
  https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/medical-nutrition-therapy-services Medicare
• CMS National Coverage Determination for medical nutrition therapy visit hours
  https://www.cms.gov/medicare-coverage-database/view/ncd.aspx?ncdid=252 CMS
• Medicare intensive behavioral therapy for obesity
  https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/obesity-behavioral-therapy Medicare
• CMS fact sheet on Medicare Advantage supplemental benefits and SSBCI
  https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/contract-year-2025-medicare-advantage-and-part-d-final-rule-cms-4205-f CMS
• MedPAC report noting meals and produce as allowable SSBCI examples
  https://www.medpac.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Jun25_Ch2_MedPAC_Report_To_Congress_SEC.pdf MedPAC
• USDA SNAP eligibility and special rules for older adults and adults with disabilities
  https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/recipient/eligibility Food and Nutrition Service
  https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/eligibility/elderly-disabled-special-rules Food and Nutrition Service
• USDA Commodity Supplemental Food Program overview and factsheet
  https://www.fns.usda.gov/csfp/commodity-supplemental-food-program Food and Nutrition Service
  https://www.fns.usda.gov/csfp/factsheet Food and Nutrition Service
• Administration for Community Living nutrition services under the Older Americans Act
  https://acl.gov/programs/health-wellness/nutrition-services ACL Administration for Community Living
• Eldercare Locator for local aging services
  https://eldercare.acl.gov/home eldercare.acl.gov
• Meals on Wheels research library on outcomes
  https://www.mealsonwheelsamerica.org/our-work/research/ Meals on Wheels America
• CDC and NIH linked research on food insecurity and health
  https://www.cdc.gov/pcd/issues/2018/18_0058.htm CDC
  https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10972712/ PMC‍

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This content is educational and is not a substitute for medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider for personalized care.