VNS Health Total: Meals (Post-Discharge)
You or your loved one can have meals delivered to their home after discharge from an acute inpatient hospital.
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How To Receive
Details on how to apply
Upon discharge from a post-acute setting (hospital or skilled nursing facility), GA Foods will contact the member by phone to:
Confirm whether they want to opt in to receive meals.
Set up meal preferences (including special diets ordered by the provider) and schedule delivery.
GA Foods will make at least 3 calls within 24 hours after discharge, spaced at least 4 hours apart, to reach you or your loved one.
The caller ID will come up as "GA Foods".
GA Foods will leave scripted voicemails (if available).
Once meal preferences and the delivery schedule are confirmed, the member will receive two meals per day for 14 consecutive days directly after discharge.
GA Foods will visit with you or your loved one and inform them of their approximate delivery date.
Meals are typically delivered in 2 boxes of 7 meals per week and contain a combination of meals chosen by you or your loved one. These are predominantly lunch and dinner meals, though generally at least one breakfast entree is also included.
Meal delivery times can vary, though are generally between 9:00 am - 5:00 pm, Monday - Friday.
The member will receive a text (if available) when delivery is set up and on the day of delivery with an approximate 2-hour window. They will also receive a text when the delivery arrives at their door.
Prior authorization for post-discharge meals is not required.
If the member wishes to keep receiving meals after the post-discharge meal benefit is complete, they can continue purchasing meals through private pay or supplemental benefits such as those offered through managed long-term care, Flex/OTC & Grocery Cards, LTSS (Medicaid), Aid & Attendance (VA), or other state support programs.
Contact the VNS Health Total Care Team at (866) 783-1444 (TTY 711) with any questions regarding continued meal delivery.
For service-specific questions, you may also reach out to GA Foods directly at (844) 830-1602.
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You or your loved one is covered for 28 meals over 2 weeks, up to 3 inpatient hospital visits a year.
Typically these are delivered in 2 boxes of 7 meals per week (14 meals per week, 28 total for 2 weeks), and contain a combination of meals chosen by you or your loved one. These are predominantly lunch and dinner meals, though generally at least one breakfast entree is also included.
Over one-third of patients are malnourished during the time of hospital admission, which increases readmissions and results in longer hospital stays. Home-delivered meals for post-discharge patients lower readmission rates, manage gaps in care, and improve outcomes.
Additionally, after post-discharge meal benefits are completed, you or your loved one can continue purchasing meals through private pay or supplemental benefits such as those offered through managed long-term care, Flex/OTC & Grocery Cards, LTSS (Medicaid), Aid & Attendance (VA), or other state support programs. This can help you or your loved one maintain a healthy diet, combat common chronic conditions, and reduce visits to healthcare providers.
For you and your loved one, the benefits of post-discharge meals provide peace of mind, the energy needed to heal, and the convenience of meals delivered right at home.
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