ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT

Providers, Help Connect Medicaid Members to Food

Talk to your patients/clients about their food insecurity and nutritional needs, perform social needs screening, and encourage them to consider participating in the Food is Medicine (FIM) initiative if they are eligible. Please see the Food Is Medicine for Community Benefit Members fact sheet or Letter of Direction 57 for eligibility information about that benefit.

Confirm that the member has:

1. A pregnancy,
2. A diagnosis of diabetes documented in their medical record or verified through testing, and
3. Food insecurity (self-reported or assessed via screening). If a member reports food insecurity, also refer them to WIC, SNAP, or use the YesNMConnect closed loop referral system to refer to a local food resource.

How to Refer Members

1. Confirm eligibility.
2. Document in medical record and open care plan.
3. Refer the patient to the Food is Medicine (FIM) benefit for pregnant individuals:
   1. Primary: Contact the member’s managed care organization to refer them to FIM.
   2. Alternative: If you know a local food vendor participating in the program, you may refer members directly.
   3. Additional Support: If the member is enrolled in WIC or SNAP, these programs can assist with referrals.
   4. Fee-for-Service Members: For these members, please contact HCA at (505) 827-3100 or HSD@hsd.nm.gov for guidance.
4. Use the YESNMConnect closed loop referral system to find community based organizations who provide food.

Additional Documents

Managed Care Organization Letter of Direction, July 22, 2025

Food Vendors Can Get Involved

Your organization is key to helping pregnant individuals get access to nutritious, culturally relevant food. By participating in Food is Medicine, your organization helps support local farmers and food producers, strengthening our communities and ensuring families have access to fresh, nutritious, and culturally relevant food.

We’re here to support you through the Medicaid enrollment process and make sure you’re reimbursed for your services. Thank you for helping us make a difference!

How to Get Involved

1. Enroll as a Medicaid provider via
2. Contract with managed care organizations.
   1. Visit the Turquoise Care Overview webpage for MCO contact information.
   2. Some members may not be enrolled in managed care but may be eligible to receive Food is Medicine (FIM). HCA can reimburse food vendors directly for these members. See the Food Is Medicine Fee Schedule.
3. Meet all food vendor requirements.

Food Vendor Requirements

• Enrolled in New Mexico Medicaid as Provider Type 346 Lodging and Meals,
• Must understand key methods and procedures of nutrition interventions to support food security and nutritional needs,
• Must be able to receive referrals from providers and Turquoise Care MCOs,
• Must be able to track and report on service delivery (including unsuccessful deliveries),
• Must follow all regulations to ensure safety and health in food service for MTM or MTG recipients,
• Include a registered dietician or RDN (or other comparable professional) to develop the nutritional content of MTM/MTG,
• Be able to customize MTM/MTG to a member’s cultural, religious, and personal preferences, while remaining medically tailored, and
• Must be able to attain information about member’s receipt of SNAP or WIC and consider it into the total number of meals requested for the member.

Referrals

Food is Medicine (FIM) aims to support a ‘no-wrong door’ referral process, meaning you may receive referrals for FIM directly from a member, provider, or managed care organization.

See member eligibility criteria on the Food Is Medicine member web page. If an individual’s eligibility is not confirmed or an individual self-refers, your organization must contact the individual’s managed care organization or prenatal care provider and complete any necessary steps to confirm eligibility.

If you have any comments, questions, or concerns, HCA is here to help. Please direct your inquiries to (MADInfo.HSD@hsd.nm.gov).