Program & Eligibility
How does NationsMarket™ work with my health plan?
A: El Paso Health Medicare Advantage has partnered with NationsMarket™ to administer your fresh prepared meals benefit.
Who is eligible for the fresh prepared meals benefit?
A: Meal plan eligibility depends on the provider and benefits plan. Eligibility information can be found in the member’s Evidence of Coverage (EOC) document.
How are meal orders placed?
Orders are placed on the member’s behalf in the NationsMarket™ meal ordering portal by either a NationsMarket™ Member Experience Advisor, by a Case Manager or CareCoordinator.
What does the meal benefit include?
The meal delivery benefit includes a variety of freshly prepared meals with home delivery atno additional cost.
Menus, Nutrition & Allergies
What types of menus are available?
A variety of fresh, never frozen, chef-prepared meals are available from the following menus:
- General Wellness
- Diabetic-Friendly
- Lower-Sodium
- Vegitarian
- Renal-Friendly
- Cancer Support
- Kosher
- Puréed
How are the menus created?
The menus are designed by our Executive Chef and approved by our in-house Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN). This ensures every meal aligns with the Nutrition Care Manual regulations by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, USDA regulations, and the Food is Medicine Coalition Standards, offering an optimal balance of flavor and nutrition. All meals are heart-healthy with less than 500 mg. in sodium, diabetic friendly, contain a minimum of 5 g. of fiber, and cater to a wide range of dietary needs.
What clinical guidelines are used to determine meals and ingredient selections?
Our meals are specifically designed to meet the standards given by the Dietary Guidelines for Americans following the USDA guidelines and NIH standards for General Wellness, Diabetic-Friendly, and Heart-Healthy diets. We follow the same guidelines as the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Nutrition Care Manual and the Food is Medicine Coalition standards.
What kind of diets are offered?
We cater to general wellness, diabetic-friendly, renal-friendly, and heart-healthy diets. All meals also fit the MIND diet standards set by Harvard University. We also have a select menu of meals that are made without gluten containing ingredients.
What types of ingredients are used to make the prepared meals?
NationsMarket™ is committed to using only the highest quality ingredients, with each meal prepared fresh and never frozen to provide a superior taste and nutrition profile.
Where are the meals prepared?
All meals are made fresh daily at our state of the art 85,000 SF food manufacturing facility in Florida. Our kitchen is inspected for quality and food safety by the USDA and FDA. Additionally, we are an SQF-Certified facility, which is internationally recognized as the highest standard for food safety and quality within the food manufacturing industry.
What if I have a food allergy?
Our 8 meal plans are designed to support most common dietary requirements. We happily accommodate anyone with food allergies and comply with the 9 most common food allergens. NationsMarket™ also offers a variety of allergen-free meals.
What are the food allergens you accommodate for?
We account for the top 9 major food allergens as defined by the FDA:
- Soy
- Milk
- Tree Nuts
- Sesame
- Crustacean
- Wheat
- Eggs
- Peanuts
- Fish
- Shellfish
What allergen protocols do you follow?
We follow allergen segregation protocols as required by CFR117/FSMA. Every meal label will list the allergens in that meal as required by the USDA and FDA meal labeling regulations.
How do I make sure not to receive meals containing food allergens I can’t tolerate?
At the time of order, be sure to inform NationsMarket™, your Case Manager, or your Care Coordinator of your food allergies so your menu profile can be customized to avoid meals with those allergens.
Where can I see the nutrition and allergen information for the meals?
USDA nutrition fact panels, ingredients, and allergens are printed on every meal label and can also be found on the NationsMarket™ website at NationsMarket.com
How much sodium is in the meals?
All our meals are 500 mg. or under in sodium. We also offer meals with 300 mg. of sodium or lower if needed.
How much fiber is in the meals?
All our meals include a minimum of 5 g. of fiber per meal.
What type of Kosher certification do you have?
Our Kosher meals are OU certified. The OU (Orthodox Union) Kosher is the world’s large stand most widely recognized international kosher certification agency assuring the highest quality food standard assurance and standards of Kosher certification. All Kosher meals will have KOSHER and the OU logo printed on the label.
Do you offer a Renal-Friendly meal plan?
Yes. To support a renal-friendly diet, the meals for this menu are dairy-free, and below the daily recommendations of < 54 g. of protein, and < 2,100 mg. of sodium per day allowing space for additional snacks and individualization per physician and RDN recommendations for the member. These meals also contain a minimum of 5 g. fiber or more.
Can I customize my Renal-Friendly meal plan?
A: Our renal-friendly meals are not customizable to the individual. It’s recommended that the member adjust the remainder of their meals and snacks throughout the day to fit their individual needs as set by their Dietitian.
What standards does the Renal-Friendly meal plan follow?
Our renal-friendly meal plan follows the standards set by the Food is Medicine Coalition.
If I don’t like a specific ingredient, can these items be removed?
Unfortunately, individual ingredients cannot be removed from meals. However, if you have a severe food allergy or intolerance, we will happily accommodate with alternate meals to avoid those food allergens.
Do you offer gluten-free meals?
We have a variety of meals available for members with a gluten intolerance. However, our kitchen is not ‘certified gluten free.’ We offer a variety of meals made without gluten containing ingredients. However, meals are produced in a facility where gluten is present and also where wheat is processed. Please refer to the nutrition fact panel for a listing of all ingredients and allergens prior to consuming.
Packaging
What kind of packaging do the meals come in?
Our meals are vacuum-sealed and delivered in a thermally insulated cooler box with ice packs designed to keep the meals cold at food-safe temperatures during transit.
Are there instructions included with delivery?
Yes. All deliveries will include detailed storage, heating, and recycling instructions.
How long will the meals stay cold in the delivery box?
The meals can stay cold in the delivery box for up to 48 hours in transit. Upon delivery, the meals should be removed from the box and placed in the refrigerator for storage.
How much does the box weigh?
The weight of the box can vary anywhere from 10-20 pounds depending on the amount of meals being shipped.
Is the packaging environmentally-friendly?
Our packaging is made from recycled materials designed to be eco-friendly while keeping meals cold at food safe temperatures until they are delivered to your home.
Can the packaging be recycled?
Yes. Our innovative packaging solution is fully recyclable. The cardboard box, insulation, and meal containers can all be reused, recycled or thrown away with the trash.
What are the ice packs made out of?
Our gel ice-packs are made with FDA-approved food safe materials (do not consume).
Can the ice-packs be reused?
Yes. The ice-packs can be refrozen and reused. Just place flat in the freezer until frozen.
What is the best way to recycle the ice-packs?
To dispose of the ice-packs: thaw, cut open, squeeze the gel into the trash (do not pour down the drain or into the toilet), rinse, and recycle the plastic.
Delivery
How are the meals shipped?
Once a delivery date is coordinated, meals are shipped directly to your home during day time hours via FedEx direct to doorstep no-contact delivery.
When will the meals be delivered?
The meals will be delivered on the delivery date agreed upon with the member at the time of order. The delivery can occur anytime between 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. on the delivery date scheduled.
Does someone need to be home when the meals are delivered?
No. Nobody needs to be home when the meals are delivered. FedEx will leave the meal box at the member’s doorstep and does not require a signature.
Meal Storage
Are the meals perishable?
Yes. The meals are perishable and should be immediately refrigerated upon delivery.
How long do the meals stay fresh?
Our special vacuum-seal packaging keeps meals fresh in the refrigerator for up to 14 days.
How do I store my meals?
Our meals are delivered fresh and should be removed from the box and stored in the refrigerator upon delivery.
When should I eat my meals?
We recommend eating all meals by the ‘best-by’ date on the bottom of each meal label.
Are the meals ever frozen?
NationsMarket™ meals are always fresh and never frozen.
Can the meals be frozen?
Our meals are best enjoyed fresh by the ‘best by’ date on the label, but if desired, can be frozen for up to 6 months. To prepare our meals after freezing, place the meal in the microwave directly from the freezer and increase the cooking time by approximately 2minutes, or until the meal temperature reaches 165°F.
Heating Instructions
Are the meals already cooked?
Yes. Our meals are fully cooked, however, please refer to the reheating instructions on the labels.
How do I heat up my meals?
Heating instructions are included on each meal label. Also, a detailed Welcome Guide with microwave and oven heating instructions is also included with each delivery.
Can the plastic meal containers go in a standard oven or toaster oven?
No. Our plastic meal containers should never be placed in a standard oven or toaster oven.
General
Can members pay out-of-pocket for meals once their meal benefit limit is reached?
Yes, members can elect to purchase meals at any time with a preferred partner discount of$8.95 per meal (includes free delivery). Meals are available in bundles of 6, 8, 10, or 14 meal packs by calling NationsMarket™ at 800-658-3333 (TTY: 711). Meals are also available for private pay at NationsMarket.co
Who can I contact with questions?
If you have any questions about your meal benefit, you can contact NationsMarket™ by phone at 800-658-3333 (TTY: 711) or by contacting your Case Manager or Care Coordinator. Language support services are available free of charge.
