Meals MATTER: A Trial of Medically Tailored Meals 2 Weeks vs. 4 Weeks Post Hospital Discharge

The purpose of this study is to determine if medically tailored meals provided for either 2 weeks or 4 weeks (1 meal per day) to a Kaiser Permanente Colorado (KPCO) member after hospital discharge will improve their health. Medically tailored meals (MTM) are meals that are approved by a dietitian and shown to help people with certain health conditions. The Investigators propose a research study with four Specific Aims: Specific Aim 1: To determine if MTM provided post hospitalization for 4 weeks to patients with one or more of seven chronic health conditions will decrease depression/anxiety measured by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) at 60 days in comparison to meals provided for 2 weeks to members discharged from two hospitals. Hypothesis 1: Patients receiving meals for 4 weeks will have a clinically significant increase in their HADS score at 60 days compared to those receiving meals for 2 weeks. Specific Aim 2: To determine if MTM provided for 4 weeks to patients with one or more of seven chronic health conditions post hospitalization will improve general well-being and functional status measured by Katz's Activities of Daily Living (ADL). Hypothesis 2: Patients receiving meals for 4 weeks will have a clinically significant increase in their sense of well-being and ADLs at 60 days compared to those receiving meals for 2 weeks. Specific Aim 3: To determine if MTM provided for 4 weeks to patients with one or more of seven chronic health conditions post hospitalization will decrease a composite outcome of rehospitalizations and emergency department (ED) visits at 60 days in comparison to: a) meals provided for 2 weeks to members discharged from two hospitals; and b) a concurrent prospective control group not receiving meals at two other KPCO-contracted hospitals. Hypothesis 3: Patients receiving meals for 4 weeks will have a decreased composite rate of rehospitalizations and ED visits at 60 days compared to those receiving meals for 2 weeks or the non-randomized control group. Specific Aim 4: To determine the feasibility, acceptability and scalability of the Meals Matter Program to KP members, their households, and hospital leadership and staff.