Michigan Medicaid Health Plans can now provide medically-appropriate, cost-effective nutrition services — medically tailored meals, healthy food packs, produce prescriptions, and more — in lieu of traditional medical services.
ILOS are medically-appropriate, cost-effective alternatives to traditional Medicaid services that address health-related social needs. Michigan’s Medicaid Health Plans are authorized to provide nutrition-based ILOS when they are clinically justified and cost-effective.
Investing in food and nutrition significantly improves health outcomes and reduces healthcare costs across Michigan communities.
Access to food and nutrition is a critical unmet need that disproportionately affects Michigan’s most vulnerable populations.
ILOS provides a pathway to integrate existing community-based nutrition services directly into clinical care delivery.
Factors beyond the clinic often shape health outcomes more than healthcare itself. ILOS addresses these upstream needs:
Michigan Medicaid Health Plans offer four distinct In Lieu of Services designed to address nutritional needs and food insecurity for eligible members.
Fresh or frozen home-delivered meals medically tailored for a specific disease or condition. Requires initial Registered Dietitian evaluation and a medically appropriate nutrition care plan. Meals address medical diagnoses, symptoms, allergies, and medication management — tailored to dietary, cultural, and religious needs.
Nutritionally-balanced home-delivered meals (hot, cold, frozen, or shelf-stable) promoting improved nutrition. Each meal must provide at least one-third of recommended Dietary Reference Intakes. Must align with Dietary Guidelines for Americans and evidence-based guidelines for specific conditions.
An assortment of medically-tailored or nutritionally-appropriate foods. Must not contain ultra-processed foods or foods with excessive sugar or salt. May include nutrition education materials. Must meet enrollees’ cultural, dietary, or religious preferences.
Vouchers to purchase any variety of fruits, vegetables, or plants/seeds that produce fruits and vegetables — redeemable at partnering grocery stores or farmers markets. Items must align with WIC-eligible, GusNIP-eligible, or Double Up Food Bucks Michigan-eligible foods.
Use NVP’s standardized referral tools to connect eligible patients to ILOS benefits efficiently.
Ask your doctor, care coordinator, or social worker if you may be eligible for food benefits through your Medicaid health plan.
Partner with NVP to improve ILOS benefit uptake across your member population and demonstrate ROI.
SNAP provides monthly food benefits to eligible low-income individuals and families. Many ILOS programs require SNAP enrollment, active application, or recent ineligibility determination within the past 12 months.
Dial 2-1-1 to connect with local resources for food, housing, healthcare, and basic needs. 211 operators can help identify food benefit programs, find local food pantries, and navigate SNAP applications.
NVP is building tools and resources to make ILOS easier to navigate for everyone — patients, clinicians, and health plans. Reach out to connect with our team.
How ILOS Works
Hover over each person or program in the pathway to learn their role in the ILOS system. Click any node to explore the connection and send the NVP team a question about that step.