iCare, a Humana Inc. subsidiary, partners with Food For Health to help reduce diet-related illnesses for patients of the MLK Heritage Clinic
MILWAUKEE — September 7, 2023 — iCare, a managed care organization and subsidiary of Humana, is funding the full offering of Food For Health’s (FFH) wrap-around services – including Medically Tailored Meals (MTMs) – for members that are patients of the MLK heritage clinic referred from the Milwaukee Health Services Clinic.
“We are committed to improving health outcomes in underserved communities, and access to healthy, nourishing food is critical in overcoming many social determinants of health,” said Tony Mollica, iCare President. “By partnering with Food For Health and supporting their patient-centered care model for fresh medically tailored meals, we can help our members manage diet-related conditions while improving the health of the communities we serve.”
FFH President and CEO Kathy Koshgarian said the MTM meals are specifically tailored to address recipients’ diet-related disease diagnoses by registered dietitians. “Think of medically tailored meals as a food prescription. The meals are further supported by technologies, biometric screenings, and coach-directed nutrition and lifestyle education,” said Koshgarian. “Our patient-centric program is proven to reverse, manage and prevent diet-related disease including Type 2 Diabetes, Hypertension, Cardiovascular Disease, and Maternal Health concerns, specifically gestational diabetes, and preeclampsia. In addition to aiding the patient, the nutrition coaching and lifestyle education has proved to lead to lifelong positive changes for participants, their families, and the community improving health, happiness and reducing the overall cost of health care.”
iCare and Milwaukee Health Services MLK Heritage Health Center work collaboratively to identify members who meet the enrollment criteria. Abhishek, “Andy” Ticku, head of Quality & Patient Safety for Milwaukee Health Services Clinic (FQHC) said there are several reasons he looks forward to the positive impact of this partnership. This project primarily involves our patients diagnosed with Hypertension and Type 2 Diabetes. “These two diet-related conditions have a high prevalence rate in the community we serve. Any project that benefits our patients and the community at large is of paramount importance to us.” Ticku adds that the clinic partnered with FFH because as a community-based organization they serve the same community. “It’s located just a few blocks away from our flagship location. FFH understands the needs and challenges of our patients and like us, is committed to the success and health of our community.”
About iCare:
Independent Care Health Plan (iCare) is a managed care organization and Humana subsidiary providing Medicaid and Medicare insurance benefits to people with disabilities and low incomes. iCare provides managed care coverage for over 45,000 people throughout Wisconsin, most of whom have low incomes or are disabled, and has been securing the wellness of people with complex conditions for more than two decades.
About Milwaukee Health Services:
Milwaukee Health Services, Inc. is a private, non-profit Federally Qualified Community Health Center, (FQHC). MHSI provides a
comprehensive range of primary medical, dental, podiatry, and behavioral healthcare, in addition to a limited number of
specialty services. With experience serving low-income populations since 1989. MHSI is committed to removing barriers and
improving health outcomes to promote quality of life and reduce disparities among racial and ethnic communities.
About Food For Health
Food For Health is a 501c3 public charity and community-based organization disrupting diet-related disease through a
comprehensive Medically Tailored Meal (MTM) program. As the only MTM provider in the state of Wisconsin, we’ve joined
forces with other like-minded organizations across the nation as part of the Food Is Medicine Coalition (FIMC) to realize our
vision of creating equitable access to healthy and happy lives through the power of food.
