A three year pilot study done in conjunction with OMG Center for Collaborative Learning has provided statistical evidence that critically-ill, nutritionally-at-risk people receiving MANNA meals and nutritional counseling experience improved health outcomes and incur lower health care costs than similar people who do not receive this service.

Specific pilot study results include:

• Average monthly health care costs of MANNA clients fell 62% for three consecutive months after beginning service for a drop of almost $30,000
• For HIV/AIDS patients, costs fell over 80% in the first three months
• Even when MANNA clients needed hospitalization, their improved nutritional status resulted in reducing the average number of monthly visits to half that of the comparison group and their length of stay for inpatient visits was 37% shorter
• Monthly inpatient hospital costs of clients were 30% lower over the six months following initiation of services as compared to the six months prior to starting MANNA
• The costs of inpatient hospitalizations of MANNA clients were 40% lower. On average, the MCO paid out $12,000 less per month for MANNA clients.
• MANNA clients were over 20% more likely to be released from the hospital to their home rather than to long-term care or health care facilities.
• MANNA clients living with HIV/AIDS cost the MCO an average of $20,000 less per month.

“This study is an important step to being able to quantify the ways that a model program, such as MANNA which offers a package of nutrition and support contributes to controlling healthcare costs and helps to support the health of individuals so that they can maintain and even improve their health, avoid hospitalizations and nursing home placement.” says Etienne Phipps, PhD and Director, Einstein Center for Urban Health Policy and Research. MANNA’s Executive Director, Sue Daugherty commented, “It’s my hope that this study will help ensure the future of MANNA. We know that there are thousands of individuals in our region who need and would benefit from our services. We need insurance companies and healthcare executives to be educated and believe in the power of nutrition to help secure sustainable funding.