Using nutritious food MA supplemental benefits to fight chronic disease

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has highlighted the unique opportunity MA plans have to bring high-value, clinically appropriate interventions to patients—interventions designed to address these chronic conditions and support overall well-being, physical activity, and nutrition, including through supplemental benefits.

Given the tens of billions of taxpayer dollars spent on MA supplemental benefits each year, the program should take every opportunity to ensure these benefits are high value, evidence‑based, and aligned with prevention, rather than being primarily used for marketing or member acquisition. To strengthen the value and impact of supplemental benefits, an array of stakeholders have called on CMS to take two practical steps:

1. Remove unnecessary barriers that prevent MA plans from efficiently providing nutritious food benefits to address chronic disease.
2. Publish supplemental benefit data to increase transparency and enable evidence-based design to create the greatest value for members and ensure taxpayer dollars are being used effectively.

Together, these actions would support healthier aging, reduce avoidable usage, and create a more accountable MA program.