S. 2834 — Medically Tailored Home-Delivered Meals Program Pilot Act

This section establishes a Medically Tailored Home-Delivered Meals Program under Medicare Part A for a 6-year period beginning no later than 30 months after enactment, under which the Secretary selects at least 40 eligible hospitals (i.e., subsection (d) acute care hospitals averaging at least 3 stars on CMS overall hospital quality star ratings for the two most recent fiscal years prior to selection or critical access hospitals) by June 30, 2027, to screen inpatients during discharge planning, provide at least two daily medically tailored home-delivered meals (meeting at least two-thirds of daily nutritional needs and responsive to medical and cultural needs) for 12-week periods (and subsequent periods based on rescreening every 12 weeks), and furnish medical nutrition therapy for 12 weeks to one year to qualified individuals to improve clinical outcomes and reduce readmissions. Selected hospitals must attest to capacity (including via arrangements), provide required staffing (e.g., physician, registered dietitian, or advanced practice nursing professional clinical social worker), submit data on program effects, and meet program integrity standards. Payments to selected hospitals are determined by the Secretary (considering payments from other payers for similar services), with no deductibles, copayments, coinsurance, or other cost-sharing applied. The Secretary must monitor the program and evaluate its effects.