ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT
We ensure that New Mexicans attain their highest level of health by providing whole-person, cost-effective, accessible, and high-quality health care and safety-net services.
Food is Medicine
Food is Medicine for Medicaid Members
Improving health with nutritious food
The New Mexico Medicaid Food is Medicine (FIM) program provides nutritious home-delivered grocery boxes and fully cooked meals to Medicaid members who are:
1. Enrolled in the Community Benefit program, or
2. Pregnant and have a diagnosis of diabetes.
Why is this initiative important?
· Reducing food insecurity and improving health outcomes through access to nutritious, culturally appropriate foods that respect individual preferences and health needs.
· Easing the burden of meal planning and diet management for pregnant and postpartum individuals with diabetes, so they can focus on caring for themselves and their babies.
· Preventing diabetes-related medical complications and ensuring safer pregnancies and healthier futures.
· Supporting maternal health, reducing stress, and promoting healthier pregnancy outcomes for families across New Mexico.
· Strengthening our local economy by prioritizing support for local food vendors and growers, fostering community resilience.
· Connecting eligible members to long-term food security resources like SNAP and Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), helping families build a foundation for lasting well-being.
Food is Medicine for Pregnant Medicaid Members
Pregnant members with diabetes may receive home-delivered, medically tailored grocery boxes or fully cooked meals designed to meet the special nutritional needs of pregnancy. Meals and grocery boxes are created with the help of a registered dietitian nutritionist (a nutrition expert) to be healthy for people with diabetes. They include fresh, wholesome ingredients like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins.
The meals can be customized to a person’s unique needs. For example, if a member is vegetarian, has food allergies or intolerance (like gluten or milk products) or has cultural or religious preferences.
Available to Medicaid Members Who Meet These Criteria:
1. Diabetes diagnosis.
2. Confirmed pregnancy.
3. Food insecurity.
4. The program lasts through pregnancy and up to two months after the baby is born.
How to Get Home Delivered Meals
Getting started is easy — just ask your prenatal care provider to check if you qualify, and they can help you get connected.
You can also contact your managed care organization who can help. If you are enrolled in Fee for Service Medicaid, you may contact HCA at (505) 827-3100 or MADInfo.HSD@hsd.nm.gov.
If you are not enrolled in Medicaid but think you may meet the eligibility requirements, you can apply for Medicaid coverage online at any time, by visiting: https://yes.nm.gov, or calling 1-855-637-6574.
More Help with Getting Food
You may also qualify for other food services like SNAP or Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). Find a SNAP outreach partner on the SNAP Outreach section of our website, here.
The New Mexico Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program offers healthy foods, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and community connections. Check your eligibility for WIC here.
Providers, learn how to help Medicaid members use this benefit. See the Food Is Medicine provider & vendor web page.