Congress took action earlier in 2018 to make patient-centered care delivery models more practical — and more profitable. Provisions in the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018, passed in February, now allow Medicare Advantage plans to pay for non-medical services that support an individual’s overall health.

The hope is that improving access to supportive care needs will help heretofore poorly-managed chronic disease patients to get better care for their own conditions.

For example, under the new Medicare Advantage guidelines, home meal delivery for patients with medical diet needs (diabetes, i.e.) will be covered.

Accordingly, Anthem and Walmart recently announced they will roll out a new, joint Medicare Advantage plan that includes an “over-the-counter allowance,” which beneficiaries can use to purchase over-the-counter supplies and medications (aspirin, wrist braces, first aid supplies and more).

In addition, Walmart will offer free, two-day shipping to the plan’s members for Walmart.com orders totaling $35 or more.

Get the full story here, from HealthcareFinance senior editor Susan Morse.