Albany County committee approves added transportation funds, a MIPA grant and new outreach plans for seniors
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Summary
The Aetna Care Committee approved an amendment adding $115,263.19 for brokered senior transportation, accepted a $33,335 MIPA grant for Medicare assistance (09/01/2025–08/31/2026), and directed staff to provide ZIP‑code and district utilization data while launching a senior advisory council.
The Albany County Aetna Care Committee on March 25 approved multiple Department for Aging requests to expand transportation services and accept federal funding for Medicare outreach and counseling.
Department for Aging staff asked the committee to amend Resolution 744 (2024) to provide broker services for transportation to eligible seniors, citing higher utilization and expanded group transportation needs. "The Department for Aging respectfully requests this RLA to amend our agreement, to provide broker services, for transportation services to eligible seniors in Albany County," a Department for Aging staff member said. The amendment requests $115,263.19 to cover increased ambulatory trips and higher utilization associated with the Colony Senior Service Center. The committee approved the amendment by voice vote after a motion and second.
Staff and the fiscal director, Alex, said a utilization review for October–December 2025 shows the highest percentage of trips occur within the city of Albany and that the department can provide ZIP‑code breakdowns and later district‑level figures on request. "We looked at October, November, and December 2025... the highest percentage of services that CDTA is providing right now is within the city of Albany," Alex said. Committee members asked that the department provide district‑level distribution so members can show constituents where funds are spent.
Members also asked about the Go Go Grandparent program. Department staff said the county is exploring offering the program and clarified funding origins: the pilot in 2025 was supported by New York State Office for the Aging (NYSOFA), not county funds. Staff said $75,000 had been allocated in 2025 and that a portion (about $40,000) remained available for 2026 reallocation.
Separately, the department requested acceptance of a Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act (MIPA) grant of $33,335 for the period 09/01/2025–08/31/2026 to support outreach and counseling. "MIPA is our Medicare Improvements for Patients and Provider Act, and it complements the Health Insurance Information and Assistance Counseling Program," a program official said, explaining the grant funds three priority areas: HICAP (ICAP), New York Connects coordination with the county DSS long‑term care coordinator, and internal outreach and assistance. Staff emphasized that the contractors providing counseling are intended to be neutral resources for older adults and that outreach will include online materials, a senior handbook and a new Senior Advisory Council launching next month.
The MIPA acceptance and related outreach plans were approved by voice vote. Staff said they will circulate the ZIP‑code utilization summary and can provide district breakdowns on request; they also plan to put the senior handbook online and stage pop‑up outreach events across county sites.
The meeting closed after the committee approved the items and moved to adjourn.
